Buzz
Young eels have become the latest members of a diverse group of animals that rely on magnetic fields for navigation. These findings were detailed in the journal Scientific Advances.
Invisible forces profoundly influence our planet and its creatures. Research reveals that foxes hunt and deer escape along north-south magnetic lines. Similarly, pigs and wild boars align their nests in a consistent direction. Lobsters, butterflies, and whales also navigate using their innate magnetic compasses. Adult European eels are no exception, though their offspring's abilities were previously uncertain.
Adult European eels deposit their eggs in the Sargasso Sea. The eggs develop into larvae, drifting with Atlantic currents. As they near the continent, the larvae transform into translucent glass eels, resembling their parents. These young eels migrate to coastal areas and then move inland to freshwater habitats, where they reside for 5 to 20 years across Europe and North Africa. Eventually, they return to the sea to reproduce, completing one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom, according to researchers.
Adult European eels are remarkably resilient, capable of traversing short distances across land during migration. | Caroline DurifThis remarkable ability of the slender creatures intrigued scientists, prompting them to investigate further. Researchers collected a group of newly arrived juvenile eels along Norway's coastline. They placed the eels in a large chamber within a fjord, allowing them to swim through an entire tidal cycle while observing their body positioning and swimming behavior.
Following this, the eels were taken to a laboratory setting, where the same tidal cycle observation was replicated.
As expected, the young eels demonstrated precise navigation skills. They consistently aligned their bodies parallel to magnetic lines, though the direction of alignment shifted with the tidal phases. During outgoing tides, most eels swam southward, both in the fjord and in the lab environment.
These discoveries are both captivating and crucial, as the European eel, despite its remarkable adaptability, is now critically endangered. Gaining insight into its unique life cycle may provide conservationists with the tools needed to enhance its protection in the years to come.
