Magnetic Affinity of Chiton

Abstract

Earth’s magnetic field provides useful cues to many organisms, however increasing anthropogenic magnetic fields introduce magnetic anomalies that may alter animal behaviors. Many marine organisms can detect magnetic fields but responses to them vary amongst species, and little is known about how intertidal chitons respond to magnetic anomalies. To test for magnetic affinity, 12 Katharina tunicata chitons were placed in a behavioral arena with magnetic stimuli on one side of the arena, location preference was then recorded during 10 minute trials. The Katharina tunicata chitons spent significantly more time away from the magnetic stimulus than near it, spending an average of 75% away from the magnetic stimulus and 25% near. These results suggest that Katharina tunicata exhibit a negative affinity thus an avoidance behavior to static magnetic fields. These findings help deepen our understanding of how marine invertebrates respond to artificial magnetic fields and help predict their behaviors as increasing anthropogenic magnetic fields are induced in marine environments.