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Latitudinal clines: an evolutionary view on biological rhythms |
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| Authors: | Roelof A Hut Silvia Paolucci Roi Dor Charalambos P Kyriacou Serge Daan |
| Institution: | 1.Chronobiology unit, Centre for Behaviour and Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands;2.Evolutionary Genetics Unit, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands;3.Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel;4.Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 3JD, UK |
| Abstract: | Properties of the circadian and annual timing systems are expected to vary systematically with latitude on the basis of different annual light and temperature patterns at higher latitudes, creating specific selection pressures. We review literature with respect to latitudinal clines in circadian phenotypes as well as in polymorphisms of circadian clock genes and their possible association with annual timing. The use of latitudinal (and altitudinal) clines in identifying selective forces acting on biological rhythms is discussed, and we evaluate how these studies can reveal novel molecular and physiological components of these rhythms. |
| Keywords: | photoperiod circadian latitude circannual diapause reproduction |