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Updated: Jul 26, 2025

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

Clock-talk: have we forgotten about geographic variation?

William E Bradshaw¹, Margaret C Fletcher², Christina M Holzapfel²

¹Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403-5289, USA. mosquito@uoregon.edu.

Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology

|June 15, 2023

Summary

The pitcher-plant mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii) shows evolutionary adaptation to changing seasons, with critical photoperiod increasing and circadian clock involvement decreasing. This micro-evolutionary divergence provides insights into broader biological timing evolution.

Keywords:

Evolution Genetic correlation Micro-evolution and macro-evolution Photoperiodism Phylogeography Species diversification

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Chronobiology
Genetics

Background:

Wyeomyia smithii, the pitcher-plant mosquito, exhibits geographic variation across eastern North America.
Populations have adapted to latitudinal and elevational gradients, suggesting evolutionary responses to environmental cues.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary changes in photoperiodism and circadian clock involvement in Wyeomyia smithii populations.
To understand the genetic basis of micro-evolutionary divergence in biological timing.

Main Methods:

Analysis of Wyeomyia smithii populations across seasonal gradients.
Experimental testing for circadian basis of photoperiodism.
Examination of genetic architecture underlying evolutionary processes.

Main Results:

Critical photoperiod has increased along the seasonal gradient.
Apparent circadian clock involvement has declined with population divergence.
Variability in photoperiodism response exists within and among populations.

Conclusions:

Micro-evolutionary processes in Wyeomyia smithii demonstrate adaptation to seasonal changes.
These findings illustrate pathways for macro-evolutionary divergence in biological timing mechanisms.
The complex genetic architecture influences the evolution of timing in biological systems.