Photic entrainment and masking of prosimian circadian rhythms (Otolemur garnettii, Primates)

Physiology & Behavior
Hans G ErkertAngelika Scheideler

Abstract

Besides rods the retina of the nocturnal greater bushbaby, genus Otolemur, also contains small cones which, however, do not allow color vision. In order to find out whether these cones might be involved in circadian photoreception in the Garnet's galago Otolemur garnettii we determined the threshold for photic entrainment. Activity recordings revealed a short circadian period of 22.6+/-0.7 h subjected to pronounced long-lasting aftereffects. The animals had a relatively high threshold for photic entrainment at about 3-30 lux. This indicates that the cones and/or other, as yet unidentified photoreceptive retinal cells may be involved in circadian photoreception. The galagos' threshold for photic entrainment also depended on the luminosity during the dark phase of the light dark cycles. Results furthermore showed that in Otolemur aftereffects may play a crucial role for circadian entrainment. Light time luminosities just below the individuals' threshold for photic entrainment strongly inhibited the galagos' locomotor activity and, thus, produced pronounced negative masking effects on their free-running circadian activity rhythm. From this it may be inferred that masking direct effects of light are not induced or mediated via the ...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1986·Journal of Biological Rhythms·J Aschoff, H Tokura
Jan 1, 1971·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·M Randolph
Jan 1, 1983·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. A, Comparative Physiology·H G Erkert, A Thiemann
Jan 1, 1994·Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews·L P Morin
Dec 14, 2002·Science·Norman F RubyBruce F O'Hara
Jan 18, 2006·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·Eduardo Fernandez-Duque, Hans G Erkert

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 20, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Wolfgang BachleitnerCharlotte Helfrich-Förster
Sep 30, 2010·Journal of Biological Rhythms·Ken Masuda, Irina V Zhdanova
May 21, 2010·Journal of Biological Rhythms·Martine PerretMarc Théry
Apr 23, 2013·Journal of Biological Rhythms·Lawrence P Morin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.