Neurobiology of Monarch Butterfly Migration

The eastern North American monarch butterfly uses a time-compensated sun compass for navigation during migration.

• The monarch butterfly's navigation mechanism processes daylight cues through both eyes.
• Signals from the sun and polarized light are integrated in the brain's central complex.
• Monarch circadian clocks operate through a distinct molecular mechanism found in their antennae.
• Migrating monarchs can also utilize a light-dependent magnetic compass when daylight cues are absent.
• The monarch genome has been sequenced, allowing for genetic editing to study migration-related traits.

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