Circadian rhythms of some behaviors of the cockroach Periplaneta americana L. (Blattodea, Blattidae) during ocelli shielding

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Abstract

In cockroaches the main role in the adjustment of circadian rhythms is attributed to the compound eyes; at the same time, morphological data indicate a possible role of ocelli in the modulation of the biological clock. Data obtained in this study reveal the effect of shielding the ocelli with black dye on the speed of the rhythm shift and its amplitude. In addition, it is shown that sexual behavior, locomotor activity, shelter occupation, and sleep-like behavior expressed as freezings, have a pronounced rhythm with a single peak, and resting periods have two pronounced minima at the beginning and at the end of the dark phase. Light intensity during the day phase affects the amplitude of behavioral rhythms in a manner similar to ocelli shielding.

About the authors

E. S. Novikova

Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: os_sacrum@list.ru
44 Toretz Ave., St. Petersburg, 194223 Russia

A. A. Puyto

Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: puyto.a@mail.ru
44 Toretz Ave., St. Petersburg, 194223 Russia

M. I. Zhukovskaya

Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: mzhukovskaya@rambler.ru
44 Toretz Ave., St. Petersburg, 194223 Russia

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