Testing the adaptive value of circadian systems.
Circadian clocks are thought to enhance reproductive fitness. However, most of the evidence that supports the adaptiveness of clocks is not rigorous and falls into the category of "adaptive storytelling." Approaches that an evolutionary biologist would consider appropriate to address this issue are described along with an analysis of the evidence-past and present-that has been evoked to demonstrate the adaptive value of circadian systems.
Johnson
Carl Hirschie
CH
Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D002696:Chlamydomonas / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000502:physiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012589:Sciuridae; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays