Photoperiodic effects on activity behaviour in the spiny eel (Macrognathus pancalus).

The study focused on the characteristics of circadian locomotor activity in the spiny eel, M. pancalus, kept under different photoperiodic conditions. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 tested the light intensity dependent effect on circadian rhythmicity of the locomotor activity in spiny eel. Three groups of fish were entrained to 12L:12D conditions for 10 days. Thereafter, they were released to constant conditions for 15 days as indicated below: group 1-DD (0 lux), group 2- LLdim (~1 lux) and group 3-LLbright (~500 lux). The locomotor activity of the fish, housed singly in an aquarium, was recorded continuously with infrared sensors connected to a computer. More than 90% activity of the eels was confined to the dark hours suggesting nocturnal habit. Under constant conditions, the activity in 7/9 fish in group 1, 4/8 in group 2 and 3/8 in group 3, started free running with a mean circadian period of 24.48 ± 0.17 h, 23.21 ± 0.47 h and 25.54 ± 1.13 h in respective groups. Remaining fish in each group became arrhythmic. This suggests that spiny eel can be synchronised to LD cycle and under constant conditions they free run with a circadian period. However, their activity under LL is light intensity dependent; higher the intensity, more disruption in circadian locomotor activity. Experiment 2 was conducted to study the effect of decreasing night length (increasing photoperiod) on circadian locomotor activity. The fish were sequentially exposed to 16D (8L:16D), 12D (12L:12D), 8D (16L:8D), 4D (20L:4D) and 2D (22L:2D) for 10 days in each condition, thereafter, they were released in constant dark (DD= 0lux). The results showed that the duration of night length affects both, the amplitude and duration of locomotor activity. It can be concluded that the spiny eels are nocturnal and that their locomotor activity is under the circadian control and may be influenced by the photoperiod.

Light wavelength dependent circadian and seasonal responses in blackheaded bunting.

Animals in the wild are exposed to daily variations in sun light, viz. duration, intensity and spectrum. Photosensitive blackheaded buntings (Emberiza melanocephala) were exposed to photoperiods differing in the length of light period, wavelengths and intensity. The effects of such light changes were measured on locomotor activity rhythm as well as seasonal responses like development of migratory restlessness: Zugunruhe, body mass and gonadal growth. The results show that the buntings are differentially responsive to light wavelengths and intensities and are indicative of a phase-dependent action of light on the circadian photoperiodic system. These birds seem to use changes in the light variables of the solar environment to regulate their circadian and seasonal responses.