Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Light Preference Assay to Study Innate and Circadian Regulated Photobehavior in Drosophila Larvae
Published on: April 20, 2013
Animal behavior is central in shaping the realized diel light niche
N Sören Häfker1,2, Stacey Connan-McGinty3, Laura Hobbs4,5
1Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. soeren.haefker@univie.ac.at.
None:
Animal behavior in space and time is structured by the perceived day/night cycle. However, this is modified by the animals' own movement within its habitat, creating a realized diel light niche (RDLN). To understand the RDLN, we investigated the light as experienced by zooplankton undergoing synchronized diel vertical migration (DVM) in an Arctic fjord around the spring equinox. We reveal a highly dampened light cycle with diel changes being about two orders of magnitude smaller compared to the surface or a static depth. The RDLN is further characterized by unique wavelength-specific irradiance cycles. We discuss the relevance of RDLNs for animal adaptations and interactions, as well as implications for circadian clock entrainment in the wild and laboratory.
More Related Videos
06:16An Experimental Approach to Investigating Effects of Artificial Light at Night on Free-Ranging Animals: Implementation, Results, and Directions for Future Research
Published on: February 2, 2022
05:17Key Elements of Photo Attraction Bioassay for Insect Studies or Monitoring Programs
Published on: July 26, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Ecological Niches
Predator-Prey Interactions
What is Behavior?
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Types of Selection
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses