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A Magnetic Map Leads Juvenile European Eels to the Gulf Stream

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posted on 2024-09-18, 10:21 authored by LC Naisbett-Jones, NF Putman, JF Stephenson, Sam LadakSam Ladak, KA Young

he file “Eel-CurrentBiology-Data.xlsx” contains data used to support the findings in Naisbett-Jones et al. (2017). The file contains two worksheets, “Orientation” and “Simulation.”

The “Orientation” worksheet provides information on the magnetic displacement experiments performed with European glass eels. Experiments were performed using a coil system that could precisely control the magnetic field experienced by eels, recreating conditions that exist in specific regions along the oceanic migration route of the eels. 16 orientation arenas were placed on a platform at the center of the coil system. Upon removal of a plastic settling cylinder, eels could escape in 1 of 12 directions, spacing of 30°.  Column A indicates the arena number (1-16), Column B indicates the region of the magnetic field (NW Atlantic, Mid Atlantic, Sargasso Sea, and Ambient (Test Site)), Column C indicates the escape direction of the eel (0°-330°, 0°=north, 90°=east, 180°=south, 270°=west), Column D and E indicate the date (ddmmyy) and time (h:m) that the trials begun. The eels we tested were captured in the Severn Estuary, UK. Column F and G indicate the phase of tide (ebb, flood, or slack) and height above Mean Sea Level (in meters) in Severn Estuary at the time eels were tested in Brecon, Wales. Tidal data were obtained from https://www.worldtides.info/. Tests conducted within +/- 15 minutes of high or low water marks were designated as "slack" tide.

The “Simulation’ worksheet provides information on the virtual particle tracking simulations performed within the Global Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model. Particles were released within the region of the model that corresponded to the location of the test fields. Particles were released in different years and at different depths and were programmed to either drift passively with the modelled ocean currents or to swim in the median escape direction that the eels adopted in corresponding test field. If eel orientation could not be distinguished from random, swimming was not simulated. 15000 particles were released during the month of May for each year, region, depth and behaviour and were allowed to drift for 180 days. From each region, we assessed the percentage of particles entering the Gulf Stream within this time period. For the Sargasso Sea simulations, particles were counted as entering the Gulf Stream if they crossed north of 25°N and west of 77°W. For the NW Atlantic region, particles were counted as entering the Gulf Stream if they crossed north of 40°N and east of 53°W. For the Mid Atlantic simulations, particles were already released within the Gulf Stream. Thus, values presented indicate the percentage of particles that had net eastward movement after 180 days. Column A indicates the region of particle release (Sargasso Sea, NW Atlantic, Mid Atlantic), Column B indicates the year of release (2000, 2005, 2010), Column C indicates the depth of release (30, 150, 300 m), Column D indicates the percentage of passively drifting particles that entered the Gulf Stream within 180 days, and Column E indicates the percentage of swimming particles that entered the Gulf Stream within 180 days (if applicable).

Naisbett-Jones et al., A Magnetic Map Leads Juvenile European Eels to the Gulf Stream, Current Biology (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.03.015

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Three-Dimensional Artificial Spin-Ice

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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