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Free keywords:
orientation and navigation; magnetic compass; magnetic sense;
bird migration; night-migratory birds
Abstract:
Cryptochromes have been suggested to be the primary magnetoreceptor molecules underlying
light-dependent magnetic compass detection in migratory birds. Here we review and evaluate
(i) what is known about these candidate magnetoreceptor molecules, (ii) what characteristics
cryptochrome molecules must fulfil to possibly underlie light-dependent, radical pair based
magnetoreception, (iii) what evidence supports the involvement of cryptochromes in magnetoreception,
and (iv) what needs to be addressed in future research. The review focuses
primarily on our knowledge of cryptochromes in the context of magnetoreception.
