Locomotor activity rhythm and sun compass orientation in the sandhopper Talitrus saltator are related.
The sandhopper Talitrus saltator has an endogenous activity rhythm with a circadian periodicity. It is well known for its ability to compensate for the apparent movement of the sun during its migrations along the sea-land axis of the beach. Both chronometric mechanisms are entrained by the natural LD photoperiod. Using actographic recordings and tests of solar orientation of individuals kept under an LD 12:12 clock-shifted cycle, after 1-13 days of treatment, we demonstrate that the timing mechanism of activity rhythm and the chronometric mechanism underlying the sun compass are the same.
Ugolini
Alberto
A
Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy. ugolini_alb@dbag.unifi.it
Somigli
Silvia
S
Pasquali
Vittorio
V
Renzi
Paolo
P
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D009987:Orthoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D017440:Photoperiod; D019445:Solar Activity; D013472:Sunlight