Moon and sun compasses in sandhoppers rely on two separate chronometric mechanisms
Anno: 1999
Autori: Ugolini A., Melis C., Innocenti R., Tiribilli B., Castellini C.
Affiliazione autori: Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Università di Firenze, Via Romana 17, 50125 Firenze, Italy;
Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125 Firenze, Italy
Abstract: The relationship between the chronometric system of compensation for the apparent movement of the sun and that for the moon has been the subject of several, never proven, hypotheses. Our studies on sand-hoppers have demonstrated that the chronometric mechanism of the moon compass is separate from that of the sun compass. They show (i) that a period of seven days in constant darkness has no influence on the capacity for orientation, either solar or lunar, and indicates the presence of one or more continuously operating timing mechanisms; (ii) that two different shifts in the light-dark phase have no effect on the chronometric mechanism of lunar orientation, but they do affect that of solar orientation; and (iii) that exposure to an artificial moon delayed by seven days with respect to the natural cycle causes the expected change in the mean direction of individuals tested under the natural moon, but not of those tested under the sun.
Giornale/Rivista: PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume: 266 (1420) Da Pagina: 749 A: 752
Parole chiavi: moon compass; sun compass; orientation; sandhoppers; Talitrus saltatorDOI: 10.1098/rspb.1999.0700Citazioni: 28dati da “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) aggiornati al: 2024-05-12Riferimenti tratti da Isi Web of Knowledge: (solo abbonati) Link per visualizzare la scheda su IsiWeb: Clicca quiLink per visualizzare la citazioni su IsiWeb: Clicca qui