Sea Turtle Orientation and Navigation References

The web pages on sea turtle orientation and navigation are based on the published scientific papers listed below. A more extensive list of papers related to the research is available in the "Scientific Publications" section of the Lohmann Lab web page.

Magnetic Maps and Long-Distance Navigation:

Lohmann, K. J., Lohmann, C. M. F., and N. F. Putman. 2007. Magnetic maps in animals: Nature's GPS. Journal of Experimental Biology. 210: 3697-3705. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., Lohmann, C. M. F., Ehrhart, L. M., Bagley, D. A., and T. Swing. 2004. Geomagnetic map used in sea turtle navigation. Nature. 428: 909-910. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., Cain, S. D., Dodge, S. A., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 2001. Regional magnetic fields as navigational markers for sea turtles. Science. 294: 364-366. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., Hester, J. T., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1999. Long-distance navigation in sea turtles. Ethology, Ecology, and Evolution. 11: 1-23. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1996. Detection of magnetic field intensity by sea turtles. Nature. 380: 59-61.

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1994. Detection of magnetic inclination angle by sea turtles: a possible mechanism for determining latitude. Journal of Experimental Biology. 194: 23-32. [Download pdf]

Orientation During Offshore Migration of Hatchling Turtles:

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 2003. Orientation mechanisms of hatchling loggerheads. In: Loggerhead Sea Turtles (eds. A. B. Bolten and B. E. Witherington), pp. 44-62. Smithsonian Books: Washington.

Goff, M., M. Salmon, and K. J. Lohmann. 1998. Hatchling sea turtles use surface waves to establish a magnetic compass direction. Animal Behaviour. 55: 69-77.

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1996. Orientation and open-sea navigation in sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Biology. 199: 73-81. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., A. W. Swartz, and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1995. Perception of ocean wave direction by sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Biology. 198: 1079-1085. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1994. Acquisition of magnetic directional preference in loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings. Journal of Experimental Biology. 190: 1-8. [Download pdf]

Light, P., M. Salmon, and K. J. Lohmann. 1993. Geomagnetic orientation of loggerhead sea turtles: evidence for an inclination compass. Journal of Experimental Biology. 182: 1-10.

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1993. A light-independent magnetic compass in the leatherback sea turtle. Biological Bulletin. 185: 149-151. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1992. Orientation to oceanic waves by hatchling green turtles. Journal of Experimental Biology. 171:1-13. [Download pdf]

Salmon, M., Wyneken, J., Fritz, E., and Lucas, M. 1992. Seafinding by hatchling sea turtles: role of brightness, silhouette, and beach slope as orientation cues. Behaviour. 122: 56-77.

Lohmann, K. J. 1991. Magnetic orientation by hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Journal of Experimental Biology. 155: 37-49.

Lohmann, K. J., M. Salmon, and J. Wyneken. 1990. Functional autonomy of land and sea orientation systems in sea turtle hatchlings. Biological Bulletin. 179: 214-218. [Download pdf]

Salmon, M. and K. J. Lohmann. 1989. Orientation cues used by hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta L.) during their offshore migration. Ethology. 83: 215-228.

Navigation During First Transoceanic Migration:

Lohmann, K. J., Cain, S. D., Dodge, S. A., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 2001. Regional magnetic fields as navigational markers for sea turtles. Science. 294: 364-366. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1996. Orientation and open-sea navigation in sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Biology. 199: 73-81. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1996. Detection of magnetic field intensity by sea turtles. Nature. 380: 59-61.

Homing and Navigation of Juvenile Turtles:

Avens, L. and K. J. Lohmann. 2004. Navigation and seasonal migratory orientation in juvenile sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Biology 207: 1771-1778. [Download pdf]

Avens, L., Braun-McNeill, J., Epperly, S., and K. J. Lohmann. 2003. Site fidelity and homing behavior in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Marine Biology 143: 211-220. [Download pdf]

Avens, L. and K. J. Lohmann. 2003. Use of multiple orientation cues by juvenile loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta. Journal of Experimental Biology. 206: 4317-4325. [Download pdf]

Review Articles and Book Chapters:

Lohmann, K. J., and S. Johnsen. 2000. The neurobiology of magnetoreception in vertebrate animals. Trends in Neurosciences. 23: 153-159. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., Hester, J. T., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1999. Long-distance navigation in sea turtles. Ethology, Ecology, and Evolution. 11: 1-23. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J., Witherington, B. E., Lohmann, C. M. F., and M. Salmon. 1997. Orientation, navigation, and natal beach homing in sea turtles. In: The Biology of Sea Turtles (eds. P. Lutz and J. Musick), pp. 107-135. CRC Press: Boca Raton.

Lohmann, K. J., and C. M. F. Lohmann. 1996. Orientation and open-sea navigation in sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Biology. 199: 73-81. [Download pdf]

Lohmann, K. J. 1992. How sea turtles navigate. Scientific American. 266(1):100-106.