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1772669 
Journal Article 
Lizards respond to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field 
Nishimura, T; Okano, H; Tada, H; Nishimura, E; Sugimoto, K; Mohri, K; Fukushima, M 
2010 
Yes 
Journal of Experimental Biology
ISSN: 0022-0949
EISSN: 1477-9145 
213 
12 
1985-1990 
20511511 
WOS:000278175700005 
Animals from a wide range of taxa have been shown to possess magnetic sense and use magnetic compasses to orient; however, there is no information in the literature on whether lizards have either of these abilities. In this study, we investigated the behavioral responses of a diurnal agamid lizard (Pogona vitticeps) to a sinusoidal extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF; 6 and 8 Hz, peak magnetic field 2.6 mu T, peak electric field 10 V m(-1)). Fourteen adult lizards were divided randomly into two groups (the EMF and control groups; each group had three males and four females). The EMF group received whole-body exposure to ELF-EMF and the control group did not. Lizards in the EMF group were exposed to ELF-EMF for 12 h per day (during the light period). The number of tail lifts was monitored beginning 3 days before exposure and ending after 5 days of exposure. For each individual, the average number of tail lifts per day was calculated. The average number of tail lifts per individual per day was greater in the EMF group than in the control group (20.7 +/- 6.3 and 9.1 +/- 4.5 tail lifts, respectively, N=7 each, P=0.02). We confirmed the reproducibility of this response by a cross-over trial. These results suggest that at least some lizards are able to perceive ELF-EMFs. Furthermore, when the parietal eye of the lizards was covered with a small round aluminum 'cap' which could block light, the tail-lifting response to ELF-EMF disappeared. Our experiments suggest that (1) lizards perceive EMFs and (2) the parietal eye may be involved in light-dependent magnetoreceptive responses. 
ELF-EMF; lizard; magnetic sense; magnetoreception; tail behavior; tail lifting