VIII
Introductory Remarks
how the geomagnetic field, an omnipresent environmental factor, serves different
animal groups as a reliable indicator of direction in oriented behavior.
Unfortunately, the primary processes of magnetoreception are still rather obscure.
This is different in electroreception, which is the topic of the contribution of
Gerhard von der Emde. He introduces us to the electrosensory world of the weakly
electric fish and the remarkable adaptations of the electrosensory system to the
conditions met by the fish in its freshwater habitat.
Clearly, this book can provide only examples of a topic in sensory biology
which is as rich and varied as are both the sensory systems used by different
animals and the habitats in which they are living.
Many thanks go to the Austrian Academy of Sciences for making the
Symposium from which this book originated both possible and pleasant. Its
generous support is gratefully acknowledged. The cooperation of the authors and
the help and patience of Dr.D.Czeschlik and the editorial staff of Springer-Verlag
are much appreciated.
Wien and Lofer, May 2000
Friedrich G. Barth
Axel Schmid