Thermoregulatory responses to manipulations of photoperiod in wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus from high latitudes (57°N)

1. 1. The thermoregulatory responses to manipulations of photoperiod in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), which were drawn from a population living at a high latitude (57°N) were studied.

2. 2. Mice captured in spring were acclimated to two different photoperiod regimes 16L:8D and 8L:16D at a constant ambient temperature of 24°C, for 3 weeks.

3. 3. Daily rhythms of body temperature, oxygen consumption and body temperature at various ambient temperatures, nonshivering thermogenesis (the response to a noradrenaline injection) and body mass were measured. Minimal overall thermal conductance was calculated for both groups.

4. 4. Acclimation to long photophase increased the thermoregulatory abilities at relatively high ambient temperatures while that of long-scotophase increased thermoregulatory abilities at low ambient temperatures.

5. 5. Changes in photoperiod may therefore be used as cues for seasonal acclimatization of thermoregulatory mechanisms in this population of wood mice.

     

Daily torpor in relation to photoperiod in a subtropical blossom-bat, Syconycteris australis (Megachiroptera)

Daily torpor in many temperate-zone mammals is affected by photoperiod. As little is known about the effects of photoperiod on torpor in subtropical species, we investigated whether, and if so how, torpor use, duration, and depth are affected by acclimation to three photoperiods (short, intermediate, long) in the blossom-bat Syconycteris australis. In contrast to many other studies, torpor occurrence, duration, and depth did not significantly respond to photoperiod acclimation in S. australis. Interestingly, the trend of a decline in torpor use under long photoperiod was the opposite of that observed previously in S. australis, which had been captured from the wild in summer and winter. Our study suggests that some species living in low latitude areas with unpredictable weather like S. australis may not use photoperiod for seasonal adjustments in physiology because it is not a reliable cue for food availability.     

Interactions of environmental temperature with photoperiod in determining age at maturity in a semelparous polychaete Nereis (neanthes) virens sars

1. 1. Larger members of the Polychacta exhibit two contrasting life cycles: semelparous in the Nereidae, iteroparous in most others.

2. 2. In semelparous forms environmental interaction determines age at reproduction and fecundity in the single spawning event whereas in iteroparous forms such interaction influences the variable age specific reproductive effort.

3. 3. Development of aquaculture has created conditions where organisms are grown under conditions of optimum temperature for growth and unlimited food.

4. 4. We present data on the life history responses (reaction norms) of the semelparous Nereis virens in which age at death in natural populations varies between 3 to 8+ years.

5. 5. In Nereis virens minimum life span (= generation time) in culture is one year but the lifespan remains modular 12 months without manipulation of photoperiod.

6. 6. Environmental temperature plays two roles: i) in conjunction with energy availability to determine “age at first/only reproduction” and secondly as an element (with photoperiod) in the control of gametogenic processes imposing seasonality on the life cycle.

7. 7. The observations suggest that long generation time in natural populations of N. virens is associated with reduced growth rate and that low growth rate is associated with reproduction at a larger size.

     

光照时间对双尾新小绥螨生长发育及种群参数的影响

【目的】为了进一步明确光照时间对双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein生长发育的影响。【方法】在实验室恒温条件下,采用生命表研究方法,研究在不同光照时间下,双尾新小绥螨捕食土耳其斯坦叶螨的生长发育情况。【结果】双尾新小绥螨在不同光照时间段下均能完成世代周期。在光照时数小于12 h时,从卵发育至成螨的各个发育阶段所需时间均呈缩短趋势,当光照时数大于16 h后各个发育阶段所需的时间又呈增长趋势。产卵期在12L︰12D光照时数下最长为20.74 d,且同其他光照条件均存在显著性差异(P<0.05)。产卵后期、寿命、总产卵量均表现在16L︰8D光照时数下最长,分别为11.93 d、31.05 d和42.4粒。双尾新小绥螨种群的净增值率(R_0)在16L︰8D时达到最大值33.88,在8L︰16D时最低为14.97。【结论】光照时间在12~16 h范围内最适合双尾新小绥螨生长发育。     

Daily torpor in elephant shrews (Macroscelidea: Elephantulus spp.) in response to food deprivation

Patterns of daily torpor were measured in response to photoperiod and food restriction at a constant temperature (18 °C) in two species of elephant shrew (Macroscelidea), Elephantulus rozeti (from Morocco) and Elephantulus myurus (from southern Africa). Body temperature was monitored continuously for ca. 3 months using temperature-sensitive telemeters. Under short photoperiods (8:16 L:D), both species entered spontaneous torpor on an ad libitum diet, but showed a higher frequency of induced torpor when food was restricted. Under long photoperiods (16:8 L:D), E. myurus could be induced to enter daily `summer' torpor. A total of 378 torpor bouts were measured, none of which were longer in duration than 18 h. Under short photoperiods, arousal from torpor was associated with the onset of the photoperiod, whereas the time of entry was variable throughout the scotophase. However, E. myurus tended to phase shift torpor from the photophase to the scotophase under long photoperiods, despite displaying weak circadian amplitudes of body temperature indicative of a photophase rest phase. Both species lacked well-defined circadian amplitudes of body temperature, a pattern thought to be associated with polyphasic activity cycles characteristic of several Elephantulus species. It was concluded that these and other patterns of torpor shown by Elephantulus show similarities with other small Afrotropical insectivores inhabiting semi-arid habitats or unpredictable environments. Accepted: 26 July 2000     

光周期对内蒙古三种草原蝗虫高龄若虫发育、存活、羽化、生殖的影响

研究不同光周期(L8∶D16、L12∶D12及L16∶D8)对毛足棒角蝗Dasyhippus barbipes(F.-W.),亚洲小车蝗Oedaleus decorus asiaticus B.-Bidenko,小翅雏蝗Chorthippus fallax(Zub.)3种草原蝗虫高龄若虫的发育、存活、羽化、生殖的影响。结果表明:在白天温度(28±1)℃,黑夜温度(23±1)℃的恒定温度下,不同光周期对毛足棒角蝗和亚洲小车蝗高龄若虫的发育、羽化、产卵影响不大,但是对其存活率有极显著的影响:毛足棒角蝗和亚洲小车蝗高龄若虫到成虫的发育速度在中光照下(L12∶D12)最快。而在短光照(L8∶D16)下更有利于小翅雏蝗若虫发育,其次是中光照;毛足棒角蝗的羽化在中光照条件下最适宜,而长光照时数(L16∶D8)更有利于亚洲小车蝗和小翅雏蝗的羽化;光周期对亚洲小车蝗产卵影响最为明显,毛足棒角蝗和亚洲小车蝗在中光照和长光照时数条件下有利于它们产卵,而小翅雏蝗在短光照和中光照时数下有利于产卵。     

Long day photoperiods and temperature of 20 degrees C induce spermatogenesis in blinded and non-blinded marbled newts during the period of testicular quiescence

Adult male marbled newts (Triturus marmoratus) were collected at the end of the spermatogenesis period and exposed to different photoperiods (natural-daylength-simulated photoperiod, total darkness, 8L:16D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D, and continuous light) for 3 mo. Temperature was maintained at 20 degrees C. Two additional groups of newts were blinded and exposed to either the natural-simulated photoperiod and to 16 h of light per day respectively. Quantitative histologic studies on testicular development and germ cell volume per testis were performed. The newts captured in the field at the beginning (initial controls) or at the end of the experiments (final controls) were in the period of testicular quiescence. Newts kept in total darkness or exposed to a short photoperiod (8L:16D) showed germ cell development up to primary spermatocytes, whereas germ cell development in the newts exposed to long photoperiods (12L:12D or 16L:8D) progressed to elongated spermatids. The newts exposed either to intermediate photoperiods (natural-simulated photoperiod) or to constant light showed an intermediate degree of germ cell development (up to round spermatids). No significant differences between non-blinded and blinded animals were found. These results suggest that (1) mild temperature initiates testicular development in the period of testicular quiescence, (2) long photoperiods associated with mild temperatures produce spermatogenesis in this period, (3) complete darkness or constant light are less effective than some intermediate photoperiod, and (4) the effect of photoperiod on testicular function in newts is not related to ocular photoreception.     

European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) show a transient phase of insensitivity to long photoperiods after gonadal regression

Annual rhythms of body weight and reproduction in the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) are the result of an interaction between seasonal changes in day length (photoperiod) and seasonal changes in the responsiveness of animals to these photoperiods. The present study demonstrates that under natural conditions European hamsters are not able to perceive long photoperiods (i.e., a 16L:8D cycle) before mid-November. This is an important difference to other hamster species, in which regrowth of the gonads can be stimulated by exposure to long photoperiods at any stage of gonadal regression. The experiments also demonstrate the existence of an annual phase of sensitivity to long photoperiods that starts around mid-November and extends until March/April. During this phase of sensitivity, exposure to a long photoperiod (16L:8D) induced gonadal regrowth within 3 wk. Additional experiments with an accelerated photoperiodic lighting regimen indicated that a photoperiod of approximately 13 h is necessary to stimulate gonadal regrowth. Under natural light conditions in Stuttgart (48.46 degrees N), a photoperiod of 13 h is reached by the beginning of April, which fits well with the finding that the majority of animals kept under a natural light:dark cycle had well-developed gonads by the end of April. Nevertheless, these animals showed a rather variable timing of gonadal regrowth, ranging from early January to late April. This is most likely the result of two processes: first, an endogenous mechanism (photorefractoriness) that induces gonadal recrudescence without any photoperiodic information while the animals are still in their hibernation burrows, and second, a direct stimulatory effect of long photoperiods.     

Effect of photoperiod on growth and gonadal development of juvenile Topmouth Gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva

In this study, we investigated the effect of photoperiod on growth and gonadal development of juvenile topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva. Seven different photoperiods (light:dark, L:D) were tested: 0L:24D, 4L:20D, 8L:16D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D, 20L:4D and 24L:0D, from November to January. Throughout the study, light intensity was kept at 400 lx on the water surface, and the fish were fed a commercial diet twice a day. Weight gain, feed intake, specific growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency were significantly higher under the constant–long day photoperiods (24L:0D, 20L:4D and 16L:8D) than those under the short–no day photoperiods (12L:12D, 8L:16D, 4L:20D, 0L:24D) (p?<?0.05). The highest mean female gonadosomatic index (GSI) and mean oocyte size were observed under 24L:0D followed by 20L:4D and 16L:8D photoperiods, and these parameters were significantly higher than those of fish cultured under the short–no day photoperiod regimes (p?<?0.05). Proportion of females with GSI?>?9 % were 50.00 %, 46.67 %, 48.48 %, in 24L:0D, 20L:4D and 16L:8D, respectively. These results demonstrate that the growth of juvenile P. parva can be stimulated significantly by constant–long photoperiods and that these photoperiods can advance sexual maturity of females by approximately 2 months.     

Non-shivering thermogenesis in winter-acclimatized and in long-scotophase and cold-acclimated Apodemus mystacinus (Rodentia)

1. 1.|Resistance to cold through non-shivering thermogenesis (the absolute increase in O₂ consumption caused by noradrenaline injection) was increased 3-fold in individuals of the broad-toothed mouse A. mystacinus, kept for 3 weeks under a short photoperiod (long scotophase 8L:16D) at an ambient temperature of 28°C, compared to control conditions (12L:12D; 28°C), and did not differ significantly from the winter-acclimatized group.

2. 2.|Acclimation of the same individuals to long scotophase and cold (8L:16d; 7°C) caused a significant (P < 0.01) increase in absolute O₂ consumption and maximal body temperature, as a response to noradrenaline injectin, when compared to long-scotophase individuals (8L:16D; 28°C).

3. 3.|The results of this study support the idea that winter acclimatization of heat-production mechanisims may be induced by the extension of scotophase, which cycles very regulary in nature and in the Mediterranean region occurs before the beginning of the cold season.

Behavioral thermoregulation of Bulla gouldiana (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Cephalaspidea)

1. 1. The preferred temperature of Bulla gouldiana is 26.7–28.7°C.

2. 2. In constant scotophase, photophase, and light and dark photoperiod the organisms do not have a diel cycle of thermoregulation.

3. 3. It takes the animal 6–16 h to reach the preferred temperature.

4. 4. The lowest and highest temperatures visited were 11 and 33°C.

5. 5. Spawning of the species occurred in the thermal gradient between 27 and 28.5°C.

     

Effects of pinealectomy, melatonin injections and melatonin antibody production on the mean duration of individual hibernation bouts in Spermophilus tridecemlineatus

1. 1.|Pinealectomy did not significantly alter the length of the mean durations of individual hibernation bouts in adult Spermophilus tridecemlineatus.

2. 2.|Similarly, no statistically-significant differences in mean durations of individual hibernation bouts between pinealectomized and sham-pinealectomized group squirrels were observed for young-of-the year S. tridecemlineatus

3. 3.|Some apparent differences of pinealectomy are suggested as they relate to age, stage of hibernation cycle and time of year during which pinealectomies are performed.

4. 4.|Daily s.c. injections of 50 μg of melatonin late in the subjective photophase induced no statistically-significant differences in mean durations of individual hibernation bouts between either adult, female pinealectomized or intact S. tridecemlineatus and their respective controls.

5. 5.|Adult, female S. tridecemlineautus with reduced titres of endogenous melatonin displayed on statistically-significant difference in the mean duration of initial hibernation bouts compared with controls.

6. 6.|It is possible that melatonin per se or that pinealectomy or melatonin titre alterations are generally failing to induce any significant changes in the torpor/arousal cycles of seasonal hibernators; or that a parameter other than the duration of torpor/arousal cycles is being modulated by the pineal complex.

The influence of three unchanging photoperiods on growth and parr-smolt transformation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Groups of pre-smolt Atlantic salmon were reared under three experimental photoperiods. Growth rate was significantly enhanced under 24 h of light: 0 h of darkness per diem (24 L: 0 D) compared with 16 L: 8 D and 8 L: 16 D from early January to early May. From the beginning of May until the termination of the experiment on 27 May, growth rate was highest under 8 L: 16 D.
All groups developed bimodal length-frequency distributions during the experiment. The proportion of the population in each of the two growth modes was significantly affected by photoperiod treatment.
The level of plasma cortisol increased significantly from February to May. There were no differences in levels of plasma cortisol among photoperiod treatments.
Judged by development in plasma cortisol, changes in condition factor and external appearance, the parr-smolt transformation was not completed under any of the experimental photoperiods.     

Long-day inhibition of reproduction and circadian photogonadosensitivity in Zembra Island wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

We investigated the effects of photoperiod on testicular activity in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) captured on Zembra Island (North Tunisia) and maintained in experimental photoperiodic conditions. Sexually inactive animals were subjected to alternate 3-mo periods of short days (8L:16D) and long days (16L:8D) for 1 yr. Testicular activity increased significantly and then decreased to levels equivalent to or lower than those measured during sexual quiescence after 1 mo of 8L:16D or 16L:8D, respectively. Eight groups of sexually active animals were also exposed to 8L:16D for 60 days. The light phase was divided into two photofractions (7.5 and 0.5 h). The short photofraction interrupted the dark phase 9.5-18.5 h after the beginning of the main photofraction. Testicular activity was inhibited if the short photofraction interrupted the dark phase 12.5 h or more after the beginning of the main photofraction. These results clearly confirm that photoperiod affects reproduction in this species: Short days stimulate reproduction, whereas long days inhibit it. The asymmetric pattern of skeleton photoperiods used demonstrated the existence of a circadian rhythm for photogonadosensitivity, with the photosensitive phase beginning 12.5 h after dawn. In this species, photoperiod length controls both the beginning and the end of the reproductive period. These results differ from those obtained with continental populations of wild rabbits, in which reproduction is inhibited by short day length. This difference may reflect genetic drift linked to the geographic isolation of this population, which is known to have been present on this small island for more than 2000 yr.     

Endogenous circannual cycles of ovarian activity and changes in prolactin and melatonin secretion in wild and domestic female sheep maintained under a long-day photoperiod

The present study examines the ovulatory activity of wild and domesticated ewes subjected to either a constant photoperiod of long days (16L:8D) or natural changes in daily photoperiod for 16 mo. The aim was to determine whether an endogenous reproductive rhythm controls seasonal reproductive activity in these sheep, and how the photoperiod might affect this. The effects of long-day photoperiods on long-term changes in prolactin and melatonin secretion were also evaluated. The two species showed changes in reproductive activity under the constant photoperiod conditions, suggesting the existence of an endogenous rhythm of reproduction. This rhythm was differently expressed in the two types of ewe (P < 0.05), with the domestic animals exhibiting much greater sensitivity to the effects of long days. A circannual rhythm of plasma prolactin concentration was also seen in both species and under both photoperiod conditions, although in both species the amplitude was always lower in the long-day animals (P < 0.01). The duration of the nocturnal melatonin plasma concentrations reflected the duration of darkness in both species and treatments. The peak melatonin concentration did not differ between seasons either under natural or long-day photoperiods.     

Effects of age and photoperiod on reproduction and the spleen in the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris)

To examine the interactions between age and photoperiod on reproduction and spleen weights, we exposed adult male and female rice rats of various ages to photoperiods of 16:8-h light-dark photoperiods (16L:8D) or 12L:12D. After 10 wk, animals were killed and the following data were recorded: weights of testes, seminal vesicles, uterus, ovaries, body, and spleen and, in addition, vaginal patency. Young adult males displayed a greater degree of testicular and seminal vesicle regression in short photoperiods than did older males; the testes of most older males did not regress in response to short photoperiods. Spleen weight was unresponsive to short photoperiods in all males, but was affected by age. Females, however, exhibited reproductive organ regression and decreased vaginal patency in response to short photoperiods at all ages examined. Body weights were affected by photoperiod in young females, and, as in males, photoperiod had no effect on spleen weights. These data suggest that the reproductive response to photoperiod in adult male rice rats declines with age, whereas in adult females it does not.     

Effect of various photoperiods on testicular weight, weekly sperm output and plasma levels of LH and testosterone over the reproductive season in male turkeys

The effects of duration and variation in photoperiod on testis weight, testicular sperm production, semen output, and hormone status over the reproductive season in male turkeys were investigated. In Experiment 1, four groups of males raised from 17 to 23 wk of age under a constant short photoperiod were subjected to a constant short (Group 1: 7L:17D; Group 2: 10.5L:13.5D), constant long (Group 3: 14L:10D) or progressively increasing photoperiod (Group 4: 7L:17D to 14L:10D) up to 60 wk of age. In Experiment 2, four groups of males first raised as in Experiment 1 up to 23 wk of age were placed under a constant short (Group 5: 10.5L:13.5D), constant long (Group 6: 14L:10D), or night-interrupted photoperiod (Group 7: 6L:2.5D:1L:14.5D, referred to as subjective 9.5L:14.5D; Group 8: 6L:3.5D:1L:13.5D), referred to as subjective 10.5L:13.5D) up to 60 wk of age. Males in Groups 2-4 had similar reproductive characteristics, whereas sexual maturity was delayed from 29 to 49 wk in males from Group 1. In Experiment 2, males in Groups 5 and 8 had similar reproductive characteristics, whereas sexual maturity was delayed in males in Group 7 in a manner similar to that observed in Group 1. In both experiments, plasma LH and testosterone concentrations were poor indicators of testis development and semen production, irrespective of age and photoperiod. We conclude that a moderately short photoperiod such as 10.5L:13.5D or subjective 10.5L:13.5D may stimulate reproductive characteristics of male turkeys in a manner comparable to constant long or increasing photoperiods. We inferred the existence of a threshold of photosensitivity in male turkeys for photoperiods longer than 9.5L:14.5D, but shorter than or equal to 10.5L:13.5D.     

中华通草蛉自然越冬成虫在长、 短光周期下滞育解除中体内相关酶活力变化

光周期信号在昆虫的环境适应中发挥着重要作用, 昆虫能够通过感受光周期的变化来调节体内生理生化过程, 以适应环境的变化。为明确光周期对中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica越冬成虫滞育解除过程中酶活力的影响, 本研究测定了长光周期（15L∶9D）和短光周期（9L∶15D）条件下, 成虫体内过氧化氢酶（CAT）、 超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、 Na⁺K⁺-ATP酶和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH） 4种重要酶活力的变化。结果表明： 中华通草蛉雌、 雄成虫CAT活性在长光周期处理5 d达最高值后呈下降趋势; 短光周期处理CAT活性在处理5 d达最高值, 且高于长光周期处理, 在处理10 d迅速下降至最低值, 且均显著低于长光周期处理的CAT活性（P=0.005）, 后迅速上升并在处理15 d （P<0.05）和20 d （P<0.005）活性显著高于长光周期处理。雌、 雄成虫SOD活性在长光周期下处理10 d达最高值, 且显著高于对照（P<0.001）, 且除处理5 d雄虫SOD活性与对照无显著性差异外（P=0.558）其余处理活性均显著低于对照（P<0.05）。雌成虫长光周期处理5 d 的SOD活性显著低于短光周期（P<0.001）, 其余处理活性均显著高于短光周期; 雄成虫长光周期下处理的SOD活性均高于短光周期下, 且处理5 d （P=0.04）, 15 d （P<0.001）和20 d （P=0.003）的活性差异显著。两种光周期条件下雌、 雄成虫Na⁺K⁺-ATP酶活性随处理时间延长呈上升-下降-上升趋势, 且均显著高于处理0 d成虫酶活性（P<0.001）; 短光周期处理不同时间Na⁺K⁺-ATP酶活性均高于长光周期处理, 且除雄成虫处理15 d无显著性差异（P=0.142）外, 其余均差异显著（P<0.05）。两种光周期条件下雌、 雄成虫LDH活性随处理时间延长呈下降趋势, 且均显著低于对照（P<0.001）。中华通草蛉越冬成虫在长、 短两种光周期条件下体内酶活力的差异可能是影响两种光周期下成虫滞育解除过程中体内不同生化物质含量与生殖状态的重要因子。     

Seasonal acclimatization in the migratory hamster Cricetulus migratorius—the role of photoperiod

1. 1.|The migratroy hamster Cricetulus migratorius, a small nocturnal rodent, inhabits ecosystems characterized by dramatic seasonal fluctuations of ambient temperatures. The aim of this study was to assess seasonal acclimatization of its thermoregulatory system.

2. 2.|Heat production by means of oxygen consumption and body temperature in various ambient temperatures as well as non-shivering thermogenesis were measured in C. migratorius. The hamsters were acclimated to two different photoperiod regimes (16L:8D and 8L:16D) at a constant ambient temprature of 24°C. Overall thermal conductance was calculated for such hamsters.

3. 3.|The results of this study indicate that photoperiod manipulations adjust the thermoregulatory system of the migratory hamster mainly by affecting overall thermal conductance.