Responses of insectivorous bats and nocturnal insects to local changes in street light technology

Artificial light at night is a pervasive anthropogenic stressor for biodiversity. Many fast‐flying insectivorous bat species feed on insects that are attracted to light‐emitting ultraviolet radiation (10–400 nm). Several countries are currently focused on replacing mercury vapour lamps, which emit ultraviolet light, with more cost‐efficient light‐emitting diode (LED) lights, which emit less ultraviolet radiation. This reduction in ultraviolet light may cause declines in insect densities in cities, predatory fast‐flying bats, and some edge‐foraging and slow‐flying bats. Capitalising on a scheme to update streetlights from high ultraviolet mercury vapour to low ultraviolet LED in Sydney, Australia, we measured the activity of individual bat species, the activity of different functional groups and the bat and insect communities, before and after the change in technology. We also surveyed sites with already LED lights, sites with mercury vapour lights and unlit bushland remnants. Species adapted to foraging in cluttered vegetation, and some edge‐space foraging species, were more active in unlit bushland sites than in all lit sites and decreased in activity at lit sites after the change to LED lights. The change to LED streetlights caused a decrease in the fast‐flying Chalinolobus gouldii but not Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis, the latter being more influenced by seasonal and environmental variables. Insect biomass was not affected by changing light types, but instead was negatively correlated with the moon's percentage illuminance. Changing streetlights to LEDs could result in a decline in some insectivorous bats in cities. This study confirms that unlit urban bushland remnants are important refuges for high bat diversity, particularly for more clutter‐adapted species and some edge‐space foraging species. Preventing light penetration into unlit bushland patches and corridors remains essential to protect the urban bat community.     

荔枝蒂蛀虫成虫对LED光的趋性及其繁殖响应特征

为明确荔枝蒂蛀虫Conopomorpha sinensis成虫对不同LED光的趋性行为反应,初步筛选出该虫趋光性不同的光色并进一步研究其对成虫繁殖生物学特性的影响,以期为今后研发特异性强且绿色高效的荔枝蒂蛀虫灯光防控技术提供理论依据.本文采用对比实验法,测试了荔枝蒂蛀虫雌蛾对9种供试光源的趋性行为反应,并进一步研究夜间LED光照射对荔枝蒂蛀虫成虫交配率、繁殖力及寿命的影响.结果显示,荔枝蒂蛀虫雌成虫对不同LED光的趋光反应率由高到低为:蓝(445～450 nm)>紫(400～405 nm)>红(655～665 nm)>蓝绿(475～480 nm)>橙(600～605 nm)>绿(515～520 nm)>黄(570～575 nm)>白(400～700 nm)>黑暗>紫外(365 nm),试虫对紫外光表现出明显的避光性,对7种单色光表现为不同程度的趋光性,其中对黄光和白光的趋光率在50％以下.在繁殖生物学方面,夜间50 lx的LED黄光和白光持续照射能使荔枝蒂蛀虫成虫的交配率由93.75％降低至50％以下,且产卵前期延长,雌蛾产卵量显著降低.此外,夜间不同LED光源照射能抑制已交配荔枝蒂蛀虫雌蛾产卵活动,白光照射组的单雌日均产卵量降低程度最大,为50.71％,黄光次之(48.96％),蓝光最小,为38.06％.综上所述,荔枝蒂蛀虫雌蛾对LED白光和黄光的趋光性较弱,夜间适当的LED白光(400～700 nm)和黄光(570～575 nm)持续照射可有效降低成虫交配率和繁殖力,该结果对促进LED白光干扰防控荔枝蒂蛀虫技术的优化升级具有一定指导意义.     

不同光质补光对促早栽培‘瑞都香玉’葡萄果实品质的影响

以4年生‘贝达’嫁接的早熟葡萄品种‘瑞都香玉’为试材,研究设施促早栽培条件下,紫外光、蓝光和红蓝光不同光质补光对果实品质的影响,结果表明: 促早栽培节能日光温室内环境属于典型的弱蓝紫光和弱紫外光环境.与对照(未补光)相比,夜间6 h的蓝光和紫外光补光处理可显著加快葡萄果实发育过程中质量和果粒纵横径的增大、果实糖含量的升高以及酸含量的下降,红蓝光效果不明显.果实成熟期紫外光补光处理果实的单粒质量最高,蓝光与红蓝光处理显著高于对照;蓝光补光处理果实葡萄糖、果糖和总糖含量最高,紫外光次之,红蓝光略高于对照.与对照相比,蓝光补光处理可显著加快果实中里那醇、α-萜品醇、橙花醇等萜烯类组分含量高峰的出现,而紫外光、红蓝光补光处理差异较小.果实成熟期蓝光补光处理果实中里那醇、香茅醇等萜烯类物质含量最高,紫外光补光处理里那醇含量较高,香叶醇、己醛、E-2-己烯醛等主要香气物质的含量最高,而红蓝光补光处理里那醇的含量与对照相比有所降低.紫外光、蓝光和红蓝光3种光质补光处理均增加了果实中醛酮类物质的种类及含量.表明蓝光补光处理果实发育最快,成熟最早,糖含量最高,里那醇等萜烯类物质含量高峰出现的时间最早;紫外光补光处理果实的单粒质量最大,主要萜烯类组分含量高;红蓝光补光处理对改善果实品质的效果不明显.     

Dim light at night increases body mass of female mice

During the past century, the prevalence of light at night has increased in parallel with obesity rates. Dim light at night (dLAN) increases body mass in male mice. However, the effects of light at night on female body mass remain unspecified. Thus, female mice were exposed to a standard light/dark (LD; 16?h light at ～150?lux/8?h dark at ～0?lux) cycle or to light/dim light at night (dLAN; 16?h light at ～150?lux/8?h dim light at ～5?lux) cycles for six weeks. Females exposed to dLAN increased the rate of change in body mass compared to LD mice despite reduced total food intake during weeks five and six, suggesting that dLAN disrupted circadian rhythms resulting in deranged metabolism.     

Diel and seasonal habitat and food segregation of three sympatric Coregonus lavaretus forms in a subarctic lake

Habitat use of three sympatric whitefish Coregonus lavaretus forms was determined using hydroacoustics, pelagic trawling and epibenthic gillnetting in the subarctic Lake Muddusjärvi during the day and night in June, August and September. Whitefish constituted 97% of the numerical catches and whitefish with high number of gill rakers (DR) were the most abundant whitefish form. Forms with low numbers of gill rakers used only epibenthic habitats during both the day and night in all study periods: large whitefish with low numbers of gill rakers (LSR) dwelled mainly at depths 0–10 m, whereas small whitefish with low numbers of gill rakers (SSR) used deeper (>10 m) habitats. LSR and SSR whitefish consumed mainly benthic macroinvertebrates during all study occasions. The planktivorous DR whitefish used both epibenthic and pelagic habitats, but vertical habitat selection varied both over time of day and season. In June, when light intensity was continuously high, DR whitefish did not perform diel vertical migrations. In August and September, when dark nights were distinguishable, DR whitefish ascended from the bottom to the pelagic at dusk to feed on zooplankton, and descended at dawn. DR whitefish used pelagic habitats only at the lowest light intensities during the night, which was probably related to the high predation risk from brown trout Salmo trutta .     

Influence of green light at night on Juvenile hormone in the oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The oriental armyworm Mythimna separata is an agricultural insect pest in Eastern Asia. Mythimna separata moths have a high phototactic response to green (520 nm) light. The biological characteristics of insects living under light of a specific wavelength at night can change and, accordingly, Juvenile hormone (JH) levels may be influenced by this light. The present study evaluates changes in the total JH levels at different developmental stages (larvae, pupae and adults) of M. separata reared under green light with different exposure periods at night (or dark period). The results show that, when the exposure time per day of the green light at night is extended, the JH levels in the final‐instar larvae (22 days) and older age pupae (8 days) are significantly reduced, and the JH levels in earlier age pupae (4 days) and adults (3, 6 and 9 days) are significantly increased, compared with groups not exposed to green light. Additionally, the JH level of male moths significantly differs from that of the female moths. We suggest that the JH level of M. separata insects could be regulated by the green light at night (or dark period). The findings of the present study will help to explain the relationship between the light environment and biological characteristics in nocturnal moths.     

Seasonal and urban effects on the endocrinology of a wild passerine

In order to maximize their fitness, organisms in seasonal environments rely on external cues to optimally time their life‐history stages. One of the most important zeitgeber to time reproduction is the photoperiod, but further environmental cues are assessed to fine‐tune reproduction due to year‐to‐year variation in environmental conditions. However, in urbanized environments, the pervasive artificial light at night has altered the natural signal of light and darkness. Accordingly, artificial light at night was repeatedly shown to affect avian reproductive physiology and to advance seasonal reproduction in birds. However, these experiments were mainly conducted in the absence of further environmental cues to facilitate the investigation of the mechanisms which are still poorly understood. Here, we investigate whether the endocrine system of free‐ranging European blackbirds (Turdus merula) correlates with the amount of artificial light at night along a rural to urban gradient while the birds still encounter complementary environmental cues including seasonal variation in day length and temperature. Testosterone and estrone were assessed as metabolites in fecal samples and corticosterone in blood from mist‐netted blackbirds. We demonstrate that seasonal fluctuations in abiotic factors, individual conditions, but also light at night affect the reproductive and stress physiology of wild European blackbirds. Elevated artificial night light intensities were significantly positively correlated with corticosterone and negatively with female estrone levels. No effects of artificial light were found for testosterone levels. Our results suggest that female blackbirds in particular perceive even low levels of artificial light at night as a weak but chronic stressor that interacts with the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis and leads to a reduced secretion of reproductive hormones. These findings point out that the impacts of light pollution are diverse and we only slowly disentangle its multiple effects on physiology, ecology, and biodiversity.     

Does light pollution alter daylength? A test using light loggers on free-ranging European blackbirds (Turdus merula)

Artificial light at night is one of the most apparent environmental changes accompanying anthropogenic habitat change. The global increase in light pollution poses new challenges to wild species, but we still have limited understanding of the temporal and spatial pattern of exposure to light at night. In particular, it has been suggested by several studies that animals exposed to light pollution, such as songbirds, perceive a longer daylength compared with conspecifics living in natural darker areas, but direct tests of such a hypothesis are still lacking. Here, we use a combination of light loggers deployed on individual European blackbirds, as well as automated radio-telemetry, to examine whether urban birds are exposed to a longer daylength than forest counterparts. We first used activity data from forest birds to determine the level of light intensity which defines the onset and offset of daily activity in rural areas. We then used this value as threshold to calculate the subjective perceived daylength of both forest and urban blackbirds. In March, when reproductive growth occurs, urban birds were exposed on average to a 49-min longer subjective perceived daylength than forest ones, which corresponds to a 19-day difference in photoperiod at this time of the year. In the field, urban blackbirds reached reproductive maturity 19 day earlier than rural birds, suggesting that light pollution could be responsible of most of the variation in reproductive timing found between urban and rural dwellers. We conclude that light at night is the most relevant change in ambient light affecting biological rhythms in avian urban-dwellers, most likely via a modification of the perceived photoperiod.     

Color changes in modern and fossil teeth induced by synchrotron microtomography

Studies using synchrotron microtomography have shown that this radiographic imaging technique provides highly informative microanatomical data from modern and fossil bones and teeth without the need for physical sectioning. The method is considered to be nondestructive; however, researchers using the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility have reported that color changes sometimes occur in teeth during submicron scanning. Using the Advanced Light Source, we tested for color changes during micron‐level scanning and for postexposure effects of ultraviolet light. We exposed a 2.0‐mm wide strip (band) to synchrotron light in 32 specimens, using multiple energy levels and scan durations. The sample included modern and fossilized teeth and bone. After scanning, the specimens were exposed to fluorescent and direct ultraviolet light. All teeth showed color changes caused by exposure to synchrotron radiation. The resulting color bands varied in intensity but were present even at the lowest energy and shortest duration of exposure. Color bands faded during subsequent exposure to fluorescent and ultraviolet light, but even after extensive ultraviolet exposure, 67% (8/12) of UV‐exposed teeth retained some degree of induced color. We found that the hydroxyapatite crystals, rather than the organic component, are the targets of change, and that diagenesis appears to impact color retention. Color changes have significance beyond aesthetics. They are visible indicators of ionization (chemical change) and, therefore, of potential physical damage. It is important for researchers to recognize that synchrotron microtomography may damage specimens, but adopting suitable safeguards and procedures may moderate or eliminate this damage. Am J Phys Anthropol 149:172–180, 2012. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A labor-saving marking and sampling technique for mark-release-recapture research

A marking and recapture sampling method was developed that shows promise for studying the dispersal behavior of small and delicate arthropods. Adult sweetpotato whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), were externally marked with a liquid fluorophore that glows brightly under ultraviolet (UV) light. Then, a series of simulated recapture tests on fluorophore-marked whiteflies using yellow sticky cards were conducted. The marked whiteflies captured on the sticky cards were detected by direct visual inspection of photographs taken of the cards under white light and UV light. Whitefly counts taken under white and UV light were almost identical, implying high marking efficacy and visual distinctiveness. These results suggest that this fluorophore marking and sampling method could eliminate the tedious task of removing specimens from sticky cards and examining them individually for the presence of a mark.     

Effect of light and phosphate on conidiation in the fungus Verticillium agaricinum

Verticillium agaricinum (Link) Corda, grown in a yeast extract-sucrose medium, conidiated abundantly in darkness after irradiation with near ultraviolet (290–400 nm) for 15 min or blue light (400–550 nm) for 60 min. Few conidia were formed in total darkness. Exposure to 30 min of near ultraviolet light suppressed conidiation. Conidiation was also suppressed by phosphate in excess of 10⁻⁴ M irrespective of light condition. After irradiation with near ultraviolet light for more than 30 min, there was a cessation of growth and a change in colony color from yellow to reddish. The color does not appear to be due to a carotenoid because the colonies turned from red to yellow when covered with acid. At pH lower than 6.0 the pigment has an absorption maximum around 390 nm, whereas at higher pH it is around 540 nm. Thus, it appears that irradiation of V. agaricinum with near ultraviolet may cause an increase in pH, which in turn produces the change of colony color from yellow to reddish.     

Declines in moth populations stress the need for conserving dark nights

Given the global continuous rise, artificial light at night is often considered a driving force behind moth population declines. Although negative effects on individuals have been shown, there is no evidence for effects on population sizes to date. Therefore, we compared population trends of Dutch macromoth fauna over the period 1985–2015 between moth species that differ in phototaxis and adult circadian rhythm. We found that moth species that show positive phototaxis or are nocturnally active have stronger negative population trends than species that are not attracted to light or are diurnal species. Our results indicate that artificial light at night is an important factor in explaining declines in moth populations in regions with high artificial night sky brightness. Our study supports efforts to reduce the impacts of artificial light at night by promoting lamps that do not attract insects and reduce overall levels of illumination in rural areas to reverse declines of moth populations.     

Light-regulated catalysis by an RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme

We describe light-induced switches for the catalytic activity of the small, RNA-cleaving 8-17 deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme), based on photochemically induced cis-trans isomerization of azobenzene (Az) moieties covalently tethered at various locations within the DNAzyme. Prior studies have shown that trans-azobenzene is able to stack comfortably within a DNA double helix, stabilizing it, while cis-azobenzene has a helix-destabilizing effect. We designed two classes of Az-modified 8-17DNAzyme constructs, in each of which two azobenzene molecules substituted for nucleotides, either in the substrate-binding arm (SBA); or, within the catalytic core. Measurement of single-turnover kinetics for RNA cleavage revealed that in the SBA constructs Ell and E13, five- to sixfold higher catalytic rates were obtained when the reaction mixture was irradiated with visible light (favouring trans-Az) as compared to ultraviolet light (which promotes cis-Az), consistent with trans-Az in these constructs stabilizing the enzyme-substrate complex. Surprisingly, the reverse result was obtained with the catalytic core construct E17, where ultraviolet irradiation resulted in a five- to sixfold faster catalytic activity relative to visible light irradiation. The development of such light-responsive nucleic acid enzymes may open new possibilities of using light as the activating or repressing agent in the control of gene expression within living cells and organisms.     

Association between light exposure at night and manic symptoms in bipolar disorder: cross-sectional analysis of the APPLE cohort

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have found that keeping the room dark at night was associated with a decrease in manic symptoms for patients with bipolar disorder (BD). However, the association between light at night of real-life conditions and manic symptoms is unclear. We investigated the association between bedroom light exposure at night and manic symptoms in BD patients. One-hundred and eighty-four outpatients with BD participated in this cross-sectional study. The average light intensity at night during sleep was evaluated using a portable photometer for seven consecutive nights. Manic symptoms were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and scores ≥5 were treated as a “hypomanic state.” The median (interquartile range) YMRS score was 2.0 (0–5.0), and 52 (28.2%) participants were in a hypomanic state. The prevalence of a hypomanic state was significantly higher in the participants with an average light intensity at night exposure of ≥3 lux than in those with <3 lux (36.7% versus 21.9%; P = .02). In multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for BD type, depressive symptoms, sleep duration, and daytime physical activity, the odds ratio (OR) for a hypomanic state was significantly higher for the participants with an average light intensity at night exposure of ≥3 lux than for those with <3 lux (OR: 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–4.22, P = .02). This association remained significant at the cutoff value of YMRS score ≥6 (OR: 2.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.15–5.46; P = .02). The findings of this study indicate bedroom light exposure at night is significantly associated with manic symptoms in BD patients. Although the results of this cross-sectional investigation do not necessarily imply causality, they may serve to inform beneficial nonpharmacological intervention and personalized treatment of BD patients.     

The characteristics of light in floral induction in vitro of Cichorium intybus. The possible role of phytochrome

The action of light in the initiation of floral buds in vitro has been studied using monochromatic light qualities on root explants of a long day plant, Cichorium intybus L. cv. Witloof. Red light (660 nm, 0.30 W m^-2) promotes flowering, while far-red (730 nm, 0.31 W m^-2) and irradiation with combined red + far-red (0.20 + 0.41 W m^-2) have no effect. In short day conditions floral response can be obtained in two ways: 1) by interrupting the dark period with 5 brief irradiations of red light (0.45 W m^-2, 12 min) at regular intervals, although these are counteracted by far-red irradiations of equal intensity and duration; 2) by interrupting the long night with 5 h red light applied during the second third of the night, while at the beginning or at the end it is ineffective. Red light efficiency appears to depend on the photosynthetic activity of the tissues, so that flowering increases with increasing intensity of white light and is suppressed if no white light is supplied. The reproductive development is determined by the coordination of proper irradiation conditions with sufficient sensitivity of the perceiving meristematic cells. The period of highest sensitivity to environmental light conditions in the life cycle of a Cichorium root explant occurs between the 8th and the 16th day after the start of the culture. The data strongly suggest that phytochrome is involved in flower induction of Cichorium in vitro.     

Another look at shape variation in the distal femur of Australopithecus afarensis: implications for taxonomic and functional diversity at Hadar

Previous studies have recognized two patterns of distal femoral morphology among the specimens from Hadar (Ethiopia) assigned to Australopithecus afarensis. Size and shape differences between the well-preserved large (AL 333-4) and small (AL 129-1a) distal femora have been used to invoke both taxonomic and functional differences within the A. afarensis hypodigm. Nevertheless, prior studies have not analyzed these specimens in a multivariate context, nor have they compared the pattern of shape differences between the fossils to patterns of sexual dimorphism among extant taxa (i.e., the manner in which males and females differ). This study reexamines morphometric differences between the above specimens in light of observed levels of variation and patterns of sexual dimorphism among extant hominoids. Eight extant reference populations were sampled to provide a standard by which to consider size and shape differences between the fossils. Samples include three populations of modern humans, two subspecies of Pan troglodytes, three subspecies of Gorilla gorilla, Pan paniscus, and Pongo pygmaeus. Using size ratios and scale-free "shape" data (both derived from 2-D coordinate landmarks), size and shape differences between the fossils were evaluated against variation within each reference population using an exact randomization procedure. Growth Difference Matrix Analysis (GDMA) was used to test whether the pattern of morphological differences between the fossils differs significantly from patterns of sexual dimorphism observed among the ten extant groups. Overall morphometric affinities of the fossils to extant taxa were explored using canonical variates analysis (CVA).Results of the randomization tests indicate that the size difference between the Hadar femora can be easily accommodated within most hominoid taxa at the subspecific level (though not within single-sex samples). In addition, the magnitude of shape differences between the fossils can be commonly sampled even within most single-sex samples of a single hominoid subspecies. The pattern of morphological differences between the fossils does not differ statistically from any average pattern of femoral shape dimorphism observed among living hominoids. Moreover, contrary to prior claims, and despite a size disparity between the fossils greater than is typically observed within some chimpanzee and human populations, the two Hadar fossils appear to be much more similar to one another in overall shape than either specimen is to any extant hominoid group.     

Nest height is affected by lamppost lighting proximity in addition to nestbox size in urban great tits

Both natural and artificial light have proximate influences on many aspects of avian biology, physiology and behaviour. To date artificial light at night is mostly considered as being a nuisance disrupting for instance sleep and reproduction of diurnal species. Here, we investigate if lamppost night lighting affects cavity‐nesting bird species inside their breeding cavity. Nest height in secondary cavity‐nesting species is the result of trade‐offs between several selective forces. Predation is the prevailing force leading birds to build thin nests to increase the distance towards the entrance hole. A thin nest may also limit artificial light exposure at night. Yet, a minimum level of daylight inside nesting cavities is necessary for adequate visual communication and/or offspring development. Against this background, we hypothesised that avian nest‐building behaviour varies in response to a change in night lighting. We monitored nest height of urban great tits Parus major during six years and found that it varied with artificial light proximity. The birds built thinner nests inside nestboxes of various sizes in response to increasing lamppost night light availability at the nest. In large nestboxes, the nests were also thinner when a lamppost was present in the territory. Whether this relationship between artificial night lighting and nest height reflects a positive or negative effect of urbanisation is discussed in the light of recent experimental studies conducted in rural populations by other research groups.     

Guiding lights: Foraging responses of juvenile nocturnal orb‐web spiders to the presence of artificial light at night

The reach of artificial light at night (ALAN) is growing rapidly around the globe, including the increasing use of energy‐efficient LED lights. Many studies document the physiological costs of light at night, but far fewer have focused on the potential benefits for nocturnal insectivores and the likely ecological consequences of shifts in predator–prey relationships. We investigated the effects of ALAN on the foraging behaviour and prey capture success in juvenile Australian garden orb‐web spiders (Eriophora biapicata). Laboratory experiments demonstrated that juvenile spiders were attracted to LED lights when choosing foraging sites, but prey availability was a stronger cue for remaining in a foraging site. Field experiments revealed a significant increase in prey capture rates for webs placed near LED lights. This suggests that any physiological costs of light at night may be offset by the foraging benefits, perhaps partially explaining recently observed increases in the size, fecundity and abundance of some orb‐web spider species in urban environments. Our results highlight the potential long‐term consequences of night lighting in urban ecosystems, through the impact of orb‐web spiders on insect populations.     

桃小食心虫蛾的趋光性

桃小食心虫Carposlna niponensis Walsingham属鳞翅目蛀果蛾科的一种夜间活动的小蛾。文献记载该蛾虽然为夜间活动,但无趋光性。我们在室内用五种单色光(350、375、405、383、333毫微米)对枕小食心虫进行测定。结果表明该蛾不仅对上述的单色光有反应,而且对350毫微米单色光的反应比较明显。室外的实验选择在不施农药又少人为干扰的枣林,设置4个诱虫光源(20瓦黑绿灯、20瓦黑蓝灯、20瓦黑橙灯和20瓦黑光灯管),每个光源彼此间隔50米。经两年田间诱虫试验结果表明,上述4种光源都能诱到该蛾,其中以20瓦黑绿双光灯管诱蛾量为多,经显著性测定,黑绿灯诱蛾量极显著。此外,光源与诱芯或光源加诱芯的联合诱蛾实验,同样表明黑绿灯最有效。经室内外的实验结果证明桃小食心虫蛾有趋光性。     

Day–night contrast as source of health for the human circadian system

Modern societies are characterized by a 24/7 lifestyle (LS) with no environmental differences between day and night, resulting in weak zeitgebers (weak day light, absence of darkness during night, constant environmental temperature, sedentary LS and frequent snacking), and as a consequence, in an impaired circadian system (CS) through a process known as chronodisruption. Both weak zeitgebers and CS impairment are related to human pathologies (certain cancers, metabolic syndrome and affective and cognitive disorders), but little is known about how to chronoenhance the CS. The aim of this work is to propose practical strategies for chronoenhancement, based on accentuating the day/night contrast. For this, 131 young subjects were recruited, and their wrist temperature (WT), activity, body position, light exposure, environmental temperature and sleep were recorded under free-living conditions for 1 week. Subjects with high contrast (HC) and low contrast (LC) for each variable were selected to analyze the HC effect in activity, body position, environmental temperature, light exposure and sleep would have on WT. We found that HC showed better rhythms than LC for every variable except sleep. Subjects with HC and LC for WT also demonstrated differences in LS, where HC subjects had a slightly advanced night phase onset and a general increase in day/night contrast. In addition, theoretical high day/night contrast calculated using mathematical models suggests an improvement by means of LS contrast. Finally, some individuals classified as belonging to the HC group in terms of WT when they are exposed to the LS characteristic of the LC group, while others exhibit WT arrhythmicity despite their good LS habits, revealing two different WT components: an exogenous component modified by LS and another endogenous component that is refractory to it. Therefore, intensifying day/night contrast in subject’s LS has proven to be a feasible measure to chronoenhance the CS.