# Magnetoreception may have evolved independently in complex animals 2026-08-07T12:46:09+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Scientists are uncovering new clues about how animals evolved an internal compass to navigate using Earth’s magnetic field, a trait called magnetoreception. Recent research suggests this ability may have evolved independently in complex animals, separate from the magnetic systems found in bacteria. Magnetite crystals, used by bacteria as tiny compasses, have been traced back nearly two billion years. However, birds, turtles, fish and other animals that display magnetoreception do not possess the same gene cluster identified in magnetic microorganisms. A study on 'giant' magnetofossils from 56 million years ago hints that larger, more complex organisms may have developed bigger crystals for navigation. Professor Richard J. Harrison of the University of Cambridge says this suggests some organisms learned to grow single large crystals instead of many small ones. Professor Arash Komeili of UC Berkeley notes that no genetic link between magnetic bacteria and higher eukaryotes has been found. The evolutionary origin of magnetoreception in animals remains an open question. ## Coverage - india.mongabay.com Tags: animal navigation, Earth magnetic field, evolution, magnetofossils, magnetoreception Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/magnetoreception-may-have-evolved-independently-in-complex-animals/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/magnetoreception-may-have-evolved-independently-in-complex-animals/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.