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

Abstract

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 cycles was experimentally tested in Bothrops jararacussu. In this study, we investigated the locomotor activity under constant light and constant dark conditions for 24 days and compared it to that of control snakes living under a light/dark cycle. Under the light/dark cycle, one peak of activity was observed during the night phase, which is typical of the circadian rhythms of nocturnal species. Constant light on Bothrops jararacussu promoted a significant fragmentation and an overall increase in the amount of locomotor activity, while constant darkness provoked a significant suppression of activity. This circadian rhythm is probably endogenous, primarily synchronized by alternating light and darkness. Constant light induces desynchronization, and constant darkness leads to the blockage of circadian clocks. The functional significance of these circadian changes suggests a small flexibility in circadian organization in response to environmental conditions.

Keywords

• Bothrops
• circadian rhythm
• locomotor activity
• photoperiod
• snakes