Octodon degus:searching for the key of nocturnalism and diurnalism

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Octodon degus:searching for the key of nocturnalism and diurnalism María A. Rol1*, Beatriz Otalora1, Pablo Vivanco1 and Juan A. Madrid1 1 University of Murcia, Faculty of Biology, Spain To date, little is known about the mechanisms underlying nocturnalism and diurnalism, and so far most of our knowledge has come from comparing species with different temporal niche. Dual species that are able to shift their activity phase preference are very useful experimental models, since they allow comparisons between individuals and even within the same individual at different time points. The Octodon degus, a diurnal Chilean rodent, can shift to a nocturnal behaviour when provided free access to a running wheel, thus, two distinct chronotypes have been traditionally reported for this species. Our interest has focussed on determining whether this inversion is generated upstream or downstream the clock. Firstly, we have found out a gradient of circadian activity pattern expressions between diurnal and nocturnal animals according to their entrainment phase angle and light masking effect, with core temperature being less affected by light. Moreover, not all animals exhibit this shifting ability. It depends on the individual, and also probably on the environmental temperature and novelty to the wheel exposition, but not age. In order to establish the extend of their temporal order inversion, we have monitored the expression of other overt rhythms (melatonin, cortisol, antioxidant activity, haematological parameters, etc.), analyzed VIP- and AVP-expressing neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and performed various zeitgeber (photic and non-photic) manipulation. The circadian system of degus seem to be organized as a network of weakly coupled circadian oscillators able to synchronize differentially to photic and non photic cues. The authors want to acknowledge the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Seneca Fundation for their financial support to this project (BFU2007-60658/BFI, RETICEF RD06/0013/0019, 05700/PI/07, respectively, to JA Madrid). Conference: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting, Rhodes Island, Greece, 13 Sep - 18 Sep, 2009. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Symposia lectures Citation: Rol MA, Otalora B, Vivanco P and Madrid JA (2009). Octodon degus:searching for the key of nocturnalism and diurnalism. Conference Abstract: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.08.2009.09.047 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 05 Jun 2009; Published Online: 05 Jun 2009. * Correspondence: María A Rol, University of Murcia, Faculty of Biology, Murcia, Spain, angerol@um.es Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers María A Rol Beatriz Otalora Pablo Vivanco Juan A Madrid Google María A Rol Beatriz Otalora Pablo Vivanco Juan A Madrid Google Scholar María A Rol Beatriz Otalora Pablo Vivanco Juan A Madrid PubMed María A Rol Beatriz Otalora Pablo Vivanco Juan A Madrid Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.