Role of feedback loops in the scorpion circadian system

Scorpions are nocturnal animals whose circadian activity rhythm is entrained via light/dark programs to the median and lateral eyes. Timing of light signals conveyed by the median eyes is modified by feedback from the circadian pacemaker. Using a simulation program, NeuroDynamix, we demonstrated tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNeurocomputing (Amsterdam) Vol. 38; pp. 607 - 614
Main Authors Friesen, W.Otto, Fleissner, Gerta, Fleissner, Günther
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.06.2001
Subjects
Circadian rhythms
computer programs
Control systems
Oscillators
Scorpiones
Scorpions
Circadian rhythms
Control systems
Scorpions
Oscillators
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Summary:Scorpions are nocturnal animals whose circadian activity rhythm is entrained via light/dark programs to the median and lateral eyes. Timing of light signals conveyed by the median eyes is modified by feedback from the circadian pacemaker. Using a simulation program, NeuroDynamix, we demonstrated that these median-eye feedback loops cause a prolonged dead zone in the phase response curve. Also, entrainment by median eyes during simulated T cycles resulted primarily from brief photoreceptor twilight signals. We propose that feedback loops reduce entrainment stability, but serve a necessary function by limiting light-generated inputs to the pacemaker to a narrow circadian gate.
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ISSN:0925-2312
1872-8286
DOI:10.1016/S0925-2312(01)00449-0