Circadian and photic modulation of daily rhythms in diurnal mammals

The temporal niche that an animal occupies includes a coordinated suite of behavioral and physiological processes that set diurnal and nocturnal animals apart. The daily rhythms of the two chronotypes are regulated by both the circadian system and direct responses to light, a process called masking. Here we review the literature on circadian regulations and masking responses in diurnal mammals, focusing on our work using the diurnal Nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) and comparing our findings with those derived from other diurnal and nocturnal models. There are certainly similarities between the circadian systems of diurnal and nocturnal mammals, especially in the phase and functioning of the principal circadian oscillator within the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). However, the downstream pathways, direct or indirect from the SCN, lead to drastic differences in the phase of extra-SCN oscillators, with most showing a complete reversal from the phase seen in nocturnal species. This reversal, however, is not universal and in some cases the phases of extra-SCN oscillators are only a few hours apart between diurnal and nocturnal species. The behavioral masking responses in general are opposite between diurnal and nocturnal species, and are matched by differential responses to light and dark in several retinorecipient sites in their brain. The available anatomical and functional data suggest that diurnal brains are not simply a phase-reversed version of nocturnal ones, and work with diurnal models contribute significantly to a better understanding of the circadian and photic modulation of daily rhythms in our own diurnal species.