Field and laboratory chronobiological studies in subterranean rodents (Ctenomys aff. knighti)

• Grant number: 13/50482-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Agreement: CONICET
• Principal Investigator: Gisele Akemi Oda
• Grantee: Gisele Akemi Oda
• Principal researcher abroad: Veronica Sandra Valentin Uzzi
• Institution abroad: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/15767-2 - Laboratory and field chronobiology in subterranean rodents (Ctenomys aff. knighti), AP.R

Abstract

This project started in 2008 and is a collaboration with dr. Veronica Valentinuzzi from the CRILAR center, located in La Rioja, Argentina. Our main goal is the study of biological rhythms in subterranean rodents (Ctenomys aff. knighti) commonly known as tuco-tucos, which are endemic species of South America. This collaboration is achieved by the common supervision of students from IBUSP, starting at their undergraduate stage. The first ones have defended MSc thesis during 2011 and 2012. The study of subterranean species in Chronobiology is greatly motivated by the fact that biological rhythms, like the circadian ones (displaying periods of approx. 24h) are daily syncrhonized by the light/dark environmental cycles of the Earth. Litlle is known about the existence and synchronization mechanisms in organisms that inhabit extreme environments whithout day and night, like caves, subterranean tunnels and deep seas. Because the CRILAR center is located in the middle of the natural habitat of tuco-tucos, we have developed a parallel field and Laboratory approach, which has been done by very few other Chronobiology groups in the world. This approach has enabled a multidisciplinar investigation with rich contributions to the field. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FLORES, DANILO E. F. L.; JANNETTI, MILENE G.; VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA S.; ODA, GISELE A.. Entrainment of circadian rhythms to irregular light/dark cycles: a subterranean perspective. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 6, OCT 4 2016. (12/15767-2, 13/50482-1, 11/24120-0, 14/20671-0, 14/09324-6)

TACHINARDI, PATRICIA; TOIEN, OIVIND; VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA S.; BUCK, C. LOREN; ODA, GISELE A.. Nocturnal to Diurnal Switches with Spontaneous Suppression of Wheel-Running Behavior in a Subterranean Rodent. PLoS One, v. 10, n. 10, OCT 13 2015. (12/23393-5, 12/15767-2, 13/50482-1, 12/16362-6)