Persistence, entrainment, and function of circadian rhythms in polar vertebrates

Polar organisms must cope with an environment that periodically lacks the strongest time-giver, or zeitgeber, of circadian organization-robust, cyclical oscillations between light and darkness. We review the factors influencing the persistence of circadian rhythms in polar vertebrates when the light...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysiology (Bethesda, Md.) Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 86 - 96
Main Authors Williams, Cory T, Barnes, Brian M, Buck, C Loren
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.03.2015
Subjects
Adaptation, Physiological
Animals
Biological Evolution
Circadian Rhythm - radiation effects
Cold Climate
Cold Temperature
Humans
Light
Photic Stimulation
Photoperiod
Species Specificity
Time Factors
Vertebrates - physiology
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Summary:Polar organisms must cope with an environment that periodically lacks the strongest time-giver, or zeitgeber, of circadian organization-robust, cyclical oscillations between light and darkness. We review the factors influencing the persistence of circadian rhythms in polar vertebrates when the light-dark cycle is absent, the likely mechanisms of entrainment that allow some polar vertebrates to remain synchronized with geophysical time, and the adaptive function of maintaining circadian rhythms in such environments.
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ISSN:1548-9213
1548-9221
DOI:10.1152/physiol.00045.2014