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Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

Latitudinal clines: an evolutionary view on biological rhythms.

Roelof A Hut¹, Silvia Paolucci, Roi Dor

¹Chronobiology unit, Centre for Behaviour and Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. r.a.hut@rug.nl

Proceedings. Biological Sciences

|July 5, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Circadian and annual timing systems show variations with latitude due to differing light and temperature patterns. Studying these latitudinal clines helps identify selection pressures on biological rhythms and discover new molecular components.

Keywords:

circadian circannual diapause latitude photoperiod reproduction

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Monitoring Cell-autonomous Circadian Clock Rhythms of Gene Expression Using Luciferase Bioluminescence Reporters

Monitoring Cell-autonomous Circadian Clock Rhythms of Gene Expression Using Luciferase Bioluminescence Reporters

Published on: September 27, 2012

Area of Science:

Chronobiology
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Background:

Circadian and annual timing systems are crucial for organismal adaptation.
Environmental factors like light and temperature vary with latitude, influencing these biological rhythms.
Latitudinal gradients present unique selective pressures on timing mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review literature on latitudinal clines in circadian phenotypes and clock gene polymorphisms.
To explore the association between these genetic variations and annual timing.
To discuss the utility of latitudinal clines in identifying selective forces on biological rhythms.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on studies examining latitudinal and altitudinal clines.
Analysis of research on circadian phenotypes and polymorphisms in circadian clock genes.
Synthesis of findings related to the adaptation of biological rhythms to different latitudes.

Main Results:

Evidence suggests systematic variations in circadian and annual timing with latitude.
Latitudinal clines in circadian clock gene polymorphisms are observed.
These variations are potentially linked to adaptation to local light and temperature regimes.

Conclusions:

Latitudinal clines are valuable tools for understanding the evolutionary forces shaping biological rhythms.
Studying these gradients can uncover novel molecular and physiological aspects of circadian and annual timing.
Geographic variation provides insights into the adaptive significance of timing systems.