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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
05:18
Measurement of Survival Time in Brachionus Rotifers: Synchronization of Maternal Conditions
Published on: July 22, 2016
Marine biorhythms: bridging chronobiology and ecology
Martin Bulla1,2,3, Thomas Oudman1, Allert I Bijleveld1
1NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems, Utrecht University, PO Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, The Netherlands.
Summary
Marine animals exhibit diverse biological rhythms, but understanding these requires integrating field and lab studies. Research shows shorebirds
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Chronobiology
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Marine organisms exhibit complex biological rhythms tied to daily, tidal, lunar, and seasonal cycles.
- Current understanding of marine biological rhythms is limited, primarily based on simplified laboratory studies of model organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the complementary roles of field ecologists and laboratory chronobiologists in studying marine biorhythms.
- To investigate individual differences in foraging rhythms of intertidal shorebirds.
- To explore the molecular basis of lunar-related rhythms in invertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Continuous tracking of intertidal shorebirds in their natural habitat.
- Observation of shorebird behavior during breeding seasons.
- Analysis of lunar-related rhythms in invertebrate model species (arthropods, polychaete worms).
Main Results:
- Individual shorebirds display distinct tidal and circadian foraging rhythms.
- Shorebird species spending significant time in tidal environments often lose these rhythms during breeding due to ecological pressures.
- Canonical circadian clock genes may not be involved in the lunar/tidal phenotypes of invertebrates.
Conclusions:
- Integrating field and laboratory studies is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of marine biological rhythms, especially lunar-related ones.
- Ecological pressures significantly influence the expression of biological rhythms in free-living animals.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying lunar and tidal rhythms in marine invertebrates.
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