Circadian rhythms affect the electroretinogram, compound eye color, striking behavior, and locomotion of the praying mantis,Hierodula patellifera(Serville)

Abstract

Many behaviors and physiological processes oscillate with circadian rhythms that are synchronized to environmental cues (e.g. light onset), but persist with periods of ~24 h in the absence of such cues. We used a multilevel experimental approach to assess whether circadian rhythms modulate several aspects of the visual physiology and behavior of the praying mantis Hierodula patellifera. We used electroretinograms (ERGs) to assess compound eye sensitivity, colorimetric photographic analyses to assess compound eye color changes (screening pigment migration), behavioral assays of responsiveness to computer-generated prey-like visual stimuli and analyses of locomotor activity patterns on a modified treadmill apparatus. Our results indicate that circadian clocks control and/or modulate each of the target behaviors. Strong rhythms, persisting under constant conditions, with periods of ~24 h were evident in photoreceptor sensitivity to light, appetitive responsiveness to preylike stimuli and gross locomotor activity. In the first two cases, responsiveness was highest during the subjective night and lowest during the subjective day. Locomotor activity was strongly clustered around the transition time from day to night. In addition, pigment migration and locomotor behavior responded strongly to light:dark cycles and anticipated the light-dark transition, suggesting that the circadian clocks modulating both were entrained to environmental light cues. Together, these data indicate that circadian rhythms operate at the cellular, cellular systems and organismal level in H. patellifera. Our results represent an intriguing first step in uncovering the complexities of circadian rhythms in the Mantodea.

Effect of prolonged photoperiod on ocular tissues of domestic turkeys

“…We speculate that the disturbance in diurnal rhythm in our study may have resulted in an aberration in the shedding of outer segment disks, in turn leading to photoreceptor cell degeneration and attenuated ERG responses. In agreement with this are several studies that have shown a pivotal role for circadian rhythm in retinal function and ERG responses via melatonin and dopamine . In the turkey, photoperiod plays an important role in the regulation of melatonin .…”

Foliage Intensity is an Important Cue of Habitat Location for Empoasca onukii

“…The opsin expression of some insects follows a circadian rhythm and can be impacted by physiological and environmental factors, such as starvation or photoperiod [ 39 , 40 ]. Spectral sensitivity can also be impacted by environmental factors (e.g., illumination), as was demonstrated for the Mantidae Hierodula patellifera (Serville) [ 23 ] and the Lepidoptera Sphingidae Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus) [ 41 ].…”

“…The maximum quantum flux of each tested wavelength was adjusted to approximately 10 11 ·photons·cm −2 ·s −1 by the light source regulator and neutral-density filters (Andover Corp., Salem, NH, USA). The spectral sensitivity was measured five times for each sex, from 17:00 to 20:00 during a day, to avoid the effect of circadian rhythms [ 23 ], with wavelengths alternating from 300 to 700 nm; then, the procedure was repeated in the reverse order, yielding ten spectral scans. The intensity output of the monochromatic light at each wavelength was calibrated by series of neutral-density filters.…”

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

“…Finally, the electrical activity of invertebrates' eyes (electroretinogram) and of the entire visual system display circadian fluctuations (Hernandez and Fuentes-Pardo, 2001). In the Praying Mantis, Hierodula patellifera, rhythms are associated with cyclic changes in the colour of the eyes, neural control of eye movement, and gross locomotor activity (Schirmer et al, 2014).…”