Relaxed circadian rhythm in zooplankton along a latitudinal gradient

TY - JOUR

T1 - Relaxed circadian rhythm in zooplankton along a latitudinal gradient

AU - Hansson, L-A.

AU - Becares, E.

AU - Fernández-Aláez, M.

AU - Fernández-Aláez, C.

AU - Kairesalo, T.

AU - Rosa Miracle, M.

AU - Romo, S.

AU - Stephen, D.

AU - Vakkilainen, K.

AU - van de Bund, W.

AU - Van Donk, E.

AU - Balayla, D.

AU - Moss, B.

N1 - Reporting year: 2007 Metis note: 4015;CL; AFW; file:///C:/pdfs/Pdfs2007/Hansson_ea_4015.pdf

PY - 2007

Y1 - 2007

N2 - To test whether aquatic invertebrates are able to adjust their diel migratory cycle to different day length and presence of predators, we performed standardized enclosure experiments in shallow lakes at four different latitudes from southern Spain, with strong night–day cycles, to Finland where daylight is almost continuous during summer. We show here that nearly continuous daylight at high latitudes causes a relaxation in diel migratory behaviour in zooplankton irrespective of predation risk. At lower latitudes, however, similar conditions lead to pronounced diel rhythms in migration. Hence, zooplankton may show local behavioural adaptations in their circadian rhythm. They are also able to make risk assessments as to whether diel migration is beneficial or not, manifested in a lack of diel migration at near constant daylight, irrespective of predator presence. Our results provide an additional explanation to previous knowledge regarding diel migrations among aquatic invertebrates by showing that both physical (light) and biological (predation) factors may affect the migratory behaviour.

AB - To test whether aquatic invertebrates are able to adjust their diel migratory cycle to different day length and presence of predators, we performed standardized enclosure experiments in shallow lakes at four different latitudes from southern Spain, with strong night–day cycles, to Finland where daylight is almost continuous during summer. We show here that nearly continuous daylight at high latitudes causes a relaxation in diel migratory behaviour in zooplankton irrespective of predation risk. At lower latitudes, however, similar conditions lead to pronounced diel rhythms in migration. Hence, zooplankton may show local behavioural adaptations in their circadian rhythm. They are also able to make risk assessments as to whether diel migration is beneficial or not, manifested in a lack of diel migration at near constant daylight, irrespective of predator presence. Our results provide an additional explanation to previous knowledge regarding diel migrations among aquatic invertebrates by showing that both physical (light) and biological (predation) factors may affect the migratory behaviour.

U2 - 10.1111/j.2006.0030-1299.15754.x,

DO - 10.1111/j.2006.0030-1299.15754.x,

M3 - Article

SN - 0030-1299

VL - 116

SP - 585

EP - 591

JO - Oikos

JF - Oikos

IS - 4

ER -