Abstract
SEASONAL changes in photoperiod have wide-ranging effects on the biology of most temperate zone vertebrates1,2. Although photoperiodic responses have been extensively studied in birds3, research on photoperiodic effects in mammals has been confined largely to their influence on reproductive and pelage cycles4,5. Less well understood are the effects of seasonal differences in photoperiod on mammalian behaviour, although modification of behaviour is the principal means by which small mammals adjust to seasonal changes in their environment6. Furthermore, seasonal changes in photoperiod may be used as a cue by small mammals to alter behaviour before more critical changes in other environmental conditions, such as temperature. We describe here the effects of previous exposure to differences in both photoperiod and temperature on the expression of nesting, hoarding, daily activity, and food consumption in the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Farner, D., Ann. Rev. Physiol., 23, 71 (1961).
Lofts, B., Animal Photoperiodism (Edward Arnold, London, 1970).
Lofts, B., and Murton, R. K., J. Zool. Lond., 155, 327 (1968).
Hart, J. S., in Adaptation to the Environment (edit. by Dill, D. B.), 295 (Amer. Physiol. Soc., Washington, DC, 1964).
Ling, J. K., Q. Rev. Biol., 45, 16 (1970).
Scholander, P. F., Walter, V., Hock, R., and Irving, L., Biol. Bull., 99, 225 (1950).
Lynch, C. B., Anim. Behav. (in the press).
Falconer, D. S., Introduction to Quantitative Genetics (Ronald Press, New York, 1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LYNCH, G., LYNCH, C. & DINGLE, H. Photoperiodism and Adaptive Behaviour in a Small Mammal. Nature 244, 46–47 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/244046a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/244046a0
This article is cited by
-
Temperature regulation in the mouse,Peromyscus leucopus: Effects of various photoperiods, pinealectomy and melatonin administration
International Journal of Biometeorology (1980)
-
Multiple responses to different photoperiods occur in the mouse, Peromyscus leucopus
Oecologia (1980)
-
Effects of photoperiod, melatonin administration and thyroid block on spontaneous daily torpor and temperature regulation in the white-footed mouse,Peromyscus leucopus
Journal of Comparative Physiology B (1978)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
