Comparative study on free-running locomotor activity circadian rhythms in Brazilian subterranean fishes with different degrees of specialization to the hypogean life (Teleostei: Siluriformes; Characiformes)

Author(s)

Trajano, E. ^[1] ; Carvalho, M. R. ^[2] ; Duarte, L. ^[2] ; Menna-Barreto, L. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Zool, Inst Biociencias, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Artes Ciencias & Humanidades, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Biological Rhythm Research; v. 40, n. 6, p. 477-489, 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

In this paper we report findings on the presence of circadian rhythms in six species of cave-dwelling fishes from Brazil. Locomotor activity of islolated individuals was automatically recorded for 10 consecutive days under constant darkness. The species tested show varied degrees of specialization to subterranean life and we found varying degrees of the circadian components of locomotor activity as measured by the periodogram algorhythm of Lomb-Scargle. Both the presence and robustness of the circadian components seem to vary according to the degree of specialization to subterranean life, the more specialized, the less circadian rhythmicity was detected. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/00794-5 - Brazilian subterranean aquatic fauna: biodiversity, biology, evolution, ecology and conservation
• Grantee: Eleonora Trajano
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants