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Simulated Navigation Based on Assumed Gradients of Atmospheric Trace Gases (Models on Pigeon Homing, Part 2) by Hans G. Wallraff is a Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article available to read on EtoBox.

What is Simulated Navigation Based on Assumed Gradients of Atmospheric Trace Gases (Models on Pigeon Homing, Part 2) about?

A model is described that attempts to outline conceivable general principles of olfactory navigation of homing pigeons. The model simulates, in a schematic way, assumed "landscapes" of airborne chemical compounds implying monotonic gradients of concentration over long distances. These gradient fields are thought to vary their shapes in dependence on large-scale wind direction and speed. Concurrently the relative spectrum (proportions between quantities) of a set of compounds at a given site varies in a predictable manner. Depending on spatial extension of monotonic gradients and steepness of slopes, change of relative amounts of compounds is more or less location-specific. A model pigeon, finding itself at an unfamiliar remote site, is thought to compare the actually perceived olfactory spectrum with its store of remembered spectra experienced earlier, under various wind conditions, at the home site. This comparison allows, with some range of error, to estimate current large-scale wind conditions as well as location-dependent differences from the spectrum expected, under those conditions, at home. A course towards home can be deduced from these differences.

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Author

Hans G. Wallraff

Publisher

Elsevier Science; Elsevier ; Elsevier Inc.; Elsevier BV (ISSN 0022-5193)

Published

1989

Language

EN

Field

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)