Common Themes and Variations in Animal Orientation Systems

Abstract

Although only a small number of disparate taxa have been studied in detail, there are some general themes that transcend the orientation and navigation mechanisms of animals. I will identify some of these commonalities and illustrate them with data from selected species. Nearly all species rely on multiple environmental cues in orientation and these mechanisms seem often to be related hierarchically. Magnetic effects on orientation are widespread. The various cue-based orientation mechanisms are not independent, but influence one another during early development and later in life. The development of orientation capabilities involves complex interactions of experience and endogenous rules and learning predispositions. At the same time, considerable plasticity characterizes both the development of orientation and the behavior of adults in response to environmental situations requiring oriented movement.