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Correlation between the Lunar Phase and Tail-Lifting Behavior of Lizards (Pogona vitticeps) Exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field.

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Nishimura T, Tada H, Fukushima M. · 2019

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EMF exposure enhanced lizards' magnetic field sensitivity, suggesting artificial electromagnetic fields disrupt natural electromagnetic sensing abilities.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed bearded dragon lizards to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and found that exposed lizards became more sensitive to natural magnetic field changes, including lunar phases. The EMF-exposed lizards showed increased tail-lifting behavior during full moons, while unexposed control lizards showed no such response. This suggests that artificial EMF exposure may enhance animals' natural magnetic field sensitivity.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something remarkable about how artificial electromagnetic fields interact with natural biological systems. The fact that ELF-EMF exposure made these lizards more sensitive to lunar magnetic field variations suggests that even low-level EMF exposure can fundamentally alter how living organisms perceive their electromagnetic environment. What this means for you is significant: if lizards exposed to EMFs at levels similar to those from power lines (2.6 µT peak) show enhanced magnetic sensitivity, we need to consider how chronic EMF exposure might be affecting the natural electromagnetic sensing abilities in humans and other animals. The research demonstrates that EMF effects aren't just about direct biological damage, but also about disrupting the subtle electromagnetic relationships that have evolved over millions of years.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe Correlation between the Lunar Phase and Tail-Lifting Behavior of Lizards (Pogona vitticeps) Exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field.

we set up an ELF-EMF group to evaluate the long-term effect of the ELF-EMF on lizards' behavior and ...

We therefore include the lunar phase (full moon/new moon) and K index as environmental factors relat...

There is the possibility that the exposure to ELF-EMFs may increase magnetic-field sensitivity in lizards.

Cite This Study
Nishimura T, Tada H, Fukushima M. (2019). Correlation between the Lunar Phase and Tail-Lifting Behavior of Lizards (Pogona vitticeps) Exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field. Animals (Basel). 9(5). pii: E208, 2019.
Show BibTeX
@article{t_2019_correlation_between_the_lunar_1765,
  author = {Nishimura T and Tada H and Fukushima M.},
  title = {Correlation between the Lunar Phase and Tail-Lifting Behavior of Lizards (Pogona vitticeps) Exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field.},
  year = {2019},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31052293/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed bearded dragon lizards to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and found that exposed lizards became more sensitive to natural magnetic field changes, including lunar phases. The EMF-exposed lizards showed increased tail-lifting behavior during full moons, while unexposed control lizards showed no such response. This suggests that artificial EMF exposure may enhance animals' natural magnetic field sensitivity.