New
Research Sheds Light on Monarch Navigation
Each group of butterflies behaved as their internal clocks told them
to!
-
Control Group: The butterflies in the control group,
whose internal clocks were on time, flew towards Mexico in a southwesterly
direction, just as expected.
-
"Early" Group:
The butterflies in the “clock advanced” group (whose internal
clocks were 6 hours early) went southeast. Even though it was early,
the sun was where it should have been late in the day. Essentially,
east seemed like west. They flew at the angle to the sun they should
fly, according to the time of day they thought it was.
-
"Late" Group:
The butterflies in the “clock delayed” group (whose internal
clocks were 6 hours late) went northwest. They also flew at the angle
to the sun they should fly, according to the time of day they thought
it was. Even though it was late, the sun was where it should have
been early in the day. Essentially, west seemed like east They flew
at the angle to the sun they should fly, according to the time of
day they thought it was.)
Monarchs
use the sun to orient. But the sun was NOT where it should
have been, based on the time their internal clocks said it was. The
monarchs used information from the sun and their misguided clocks to
orient. This is why then went in the wrong direction.
“This
is exactly what the ‘time compensated sun-compass’ would
predict,” said Dr. Frost.
1. For background
information about biological clocks see: Tick
Tock Biological Clock
2. For Your
Journal: What would happen if your biological clock were shifted by 6
hours?
EARLY:
If someone changed your biological clock ahead by 6 hours, what would
be happening at school if you arrived 6 hours early?
LATE: If your biological clock were behind by 6 hours, what would be
taking place if you arrived at school 6 hours late?
3. Explore
these links about research into the puzzle of monarch navigation. Read
carefully, however, remember Dr. Calvert's precautions.
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