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Salmon may cross the ocean with a magnetic compass, then use smell to find the stream where their life began.

U.S. Geological Survey / NOAA

ScienceNature

Why it matters

The idea in context

Scientists think salmon rely on more than one sense: magnetic cues can help during long ocean travel, while smell becomes crucial near the river. Home, in nature, can be both a direction and a memory.

Türkçe

Aynı kart, başka bir dilde.

Somon balıkları okyanusta Dünya'nın manyetik alanını bir pusula gibi kullanabilir; eve yaklaşınca da doğdukları derenin kokusunu izler.

Bilim insanlarına göre somonların yol bulması tek bir duyuyla açıklanmaz. Açık denizde manyetik ipuçları, nehre yaklaştıklarında ise koku hafızası devreye girer. Doğada “ev” bazen yalnızca bir yer değil; yön, iz ve hafızanın birleşimidir.

Source trail

Read beyond the card.

USGS explains that scientists believe salmon navigate with Earth's magnetic field like a compass, then use smell near their home stream; NOAA research discusses magnetic-map orientation in pink salmon. Sources: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-do-salmon-know-where-their-home-when-they-return-ocean ; https://oceanacidification.noaa.gov/oap_pubs/a-sense-of-place-pink-salmon-use-a-magnetic-map-for-orientation/

Background reading: Salmon runAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
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