Mammalian activity-rest rhythms in Arctic continuous daylight

Abstract

Activity-rest (circadian) rhythms were studied in two species of Arctic mammals living in Arctic continuous daylight with all human-induced regular environmental cues (zeitgebers) removed. The two Arctic species (porcupine and ground squirrel) lived outdoors in large enclosures while the Arctic summer sun circled overhead for 82 days. Would local animals maintained under natural continuous daylight demonstrate the Aschoff effect described in previously published laboratory experiments using continuous light, in which rats' circadian activity patterns changed systematically to a longer period, expressing a 26-hour day of activity and rest? The outdoor experiments reported here, however, showed that under natural continuous daylight, both species (porcupine and ground squirrel) had specific times of activity and rest on a nearly 24-hour scale, and their activity peaks did not come later each day. The daily rhythms of the two species were recorded using implanted physiological radio capsules, and from direct observation. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.