Daily patterns of the locomotor activity of Bothrops jararacussu (Serpentes: Viperidae): A response to environmental lighting conditions or an endogenous rhythm?

• Published in: Biotemas Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 123 - 129
• Main Authors: Júlia Niehues da Cruz, Débora Delwing Del Magro, José Geraldo Pereira da Cruz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 01.12.2008
• Subjects: Bothrops; circadian rhythm; locomotor activity; photoperiod; snakes

While most circadian biologists would probably assume that circadian clocks drive activity patterns, it is also well known that environmental stimuli may mask endogenous rhythms by either increasing or suppressing activity. The hypothesis that circadian rhythms are generally entrained by exogenous c...