Skip to main content

Tidal and Lunar Rhythms

  • Chapter
Introducing Biological Rhythms

Abstract

Ancient people acknowledged the two sources of natural light as the greater (the Sun) and the lesser (the Moon): “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night...” (Genesis 1: 16. Bible, King James Version).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abrami G. (1972) Correlations between lunar phases and rhythmicities in plant growth under field conditions. Can J Bot 50: 2157–2166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aréchiga H. (1977) Circadian rhythmicity in the nervous system of crustaceans. Fed Proc 36(7): 2036–2041.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arrhenius S. (1898) [Cosmic influences on physiological phenomena.] [Swedish]. Skand Archiv Physiol 8: 367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backwell PRY, O’Hara PD, Christy JH. (1998) Prey availability and selective foraging in shorebirds. Anim Behav 55(6): 1659–1667.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ball EE. (1968) Activity patterns and retinal pigment migration in Pagurus (Decapoda, Paguridae). Crustaceana 14: 302–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnwell FH. (1966) Daily and tidal patterns of activity in individual fiddler crabs (Genus Uca) from the Woods Hole region. Biol Bull 130: 1–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnwell FH. (1968) Comparative aspects of the chromatophoric responses to light and temperature in fiddler crabs of the genus Uca. Biol Bull 134(2): 221–234.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnwell FH. (1976) Variation in the form of the tide and some problems it poses for biological timing systems. In: Biological Rhythms in the Marine Environment. DeCoursey PJ, ed. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, pp. 161–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barr W. (2000) Lunacy revisited. The influence of the moon on mental health and quality of life. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 38(5): 28–35.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bergin ME. (1981) Hatching rhythms in Uca pugilator (Decapoda: Brachyura). Marine Biol 63: 151–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharjee C, Bradley P, Smith M, Scally AJ, Wilson BJ. (2000) Do animals bite more during a full moon? Retrospective observational analysis. BMJ 321(7276): 1559–1561.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bohn G. (1903) Sur les movements oscillatoires des Convoluta roscoffensis. CR Acad Sci (Paris) 137: 576–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown FA Jr, Fingerman M, Sandeen M, Webb HM. (1953) Persistent diurnal and tidal rhythms of color change in the fiddler crab, Uca pugnax. J Exp Zool 123: 29–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown FA Jr. (1954) Biological clocks and the fiddler crab. Scient Amer 190(4): 34–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown FA Jr. (1970) Hypothesis of environmental timing of the clock. In: The Biological Clock: Two Views. Brown FA Jr, Hastings JW, Palmer JD, eds. New York: Academic Press, pp. 13–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown FA Jr, Chow CS. (1973) Lunar-correlated variations in water uptake by bean seeds. Biol Bull 145: 265–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown FA Jr, Park YH. (1975) A persistent monthly variation in responses of planarians to light, and its annual modulation. Intl J Chronobiol 3: 57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley NA, Whyte IM, Dawson AH. (1993) There are days... and moons. Self-poisoning is not lunacy. Med J Aust 159(11–12): 786–789.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bünning E. (1969) [The importance of circadian leaf movements for the precision of daylength measurement] [German]. Plant (Berl) 86: 209–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bünning E, Moser I. (1969) Interference of moonlight with the photoperiodic measurement of time by plants, and their adaptive reaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 62: 1018–1022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bünning E. (1971) The adaptive value of circadian leaf movements. In: Biochronometry. Menaker M, ed. Washington, DC: Natl Acad Sci, pp. 203–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bünning E. (1973) The Physiological Clock, 3rd edn. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 258 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bünning E. (1979) Circadian rhythms, light, and photoperiodism: a re-evaluation. Bot Mag Tokyo 92: 89–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caspers H. (1984) Spawning periodicity and habitat of the palolo worm Eunice viridis (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) in the Samoan Islands. Marine Biol 79: 229–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadee DD, Tikasingh ES. (1989) Diel biting activity of Culex (Melanoconion) caudelli in Trinidad, West Indies. Med Vet Entomol 3(3): 231–237.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cutler WB. (1980) Lunar and menstrual phase locking. Amer J Obstet Gynecol 137:834–839.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Castro JM, Pearcey SM. (1995) Lunar rhythms of the meal and alcohol intake of humans. Physiol Behav 57(3): 439–444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeCoursey PJ. (1979) Egg-hatching rhythms in three species of fiddler crabs. In: Cyclic Phenomena in Marine Plants and Animals. Naylor E, Hartnoll RG, eds. Oxford: Pergamon, pp. 399–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeCoursey PJ. (1983) Biological timing. In: The Biology of Crustacea, Vol. 7: Behavior and Ecology. Vernberg FJ, Vernberg WB, eds. New York: Academic Press, pp. 107–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunea G. (1993) Moon over Slovakia. BMJ 307: 1363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enright JT. (1963) The tidal rhythm of activity of a sand-beach amphipod. Z Vergl Physiol 46: 276–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enright JT. (1965) Entrainment of a tidal rhythm. Science 147: 864–866.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enright JT. (1971a) Heavy water slows biological timing processes. Z Vergl Physiol 72: 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enright JT. (1971b) The internal clock of drunken isopods. Z Vergl Physiol 75: 332–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enright JT. (1972) A virtuoso isopod. Circa-lunar rhythms and their tidal fine structure. J Comp Physiol 77: 141–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erkert H-G. (1974) [The influence of moonlight on the activity patterns of night-active mammals] [German]. Oecologia (Berl) 14: 269–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fingerman M. (1956) Phase difference in the tidal rhythms of color change of two species of fiddler crab. Biol Bull 110: 274–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fingerman M, Yamamoto Y. (1964) Daily rhythm of color change in eyestalkless fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator (abstract). Amer Zool 4(3): 334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke H-D. (1986) The role of light and endogenous factors in the timing of the reproductive cycle of Typosyllis prolifera and some other polychaetes. Amer Zool 26: 433–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuhrman M. (1992) Phase Relationships of Circadian Oscillations in the Leaves of Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr) Cultivars of Differing Maturity Groups Relative to Photoperiodic Sensitivity. Thesis. University of Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gehrels T, Coffeen T, Owings D. (1964) Wavelength dependence of polarization: III. The lunar surface. Astronom J 69: 826–852.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson RN. (1965) Rhythmic activity in littoral fish. Nature 207: 544–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson RN. (1970) The tidal rhythm of activity of Coryphoblennius galerita (L.) (Teleostei, Blennidiidae). Anim Behav 18: 539–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillon P, Guillon D, Lansac J, Soutoul JH, Bertrand P, Hornecker JP. (1986) [Births, fertility, rhythms and lunar cycle. A statistical study of 5,927,978 births.] [French]. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) 15(3): 265–271.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guthmann H, Ostwald D. (1936) Menstruation und Mond. Manschrift für Geburtsch und Gynekologie 103: 232–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halberg Fcn, Halberg F, Sothern RB, Pearse JS, Pearse VB, Shankaraiah K, Giese AC. (1987) Consistent synchronization and circaseptennian (about 7-yearly) modulation of circannual gonadal index rhythm of two marine invertebrates. In: Advances in Chronobiology-Part A. Pauly JE, Scheving LE, eds. New York: Alan R Liss, pp. 225–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardtland-Rowe R. (1955) Lunar rhythm in the emergence of an ephemeropteran. Nature 176: 657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hines MN. (1954) A tidal rhythm in behavior of melanophores in autotomized legs of Uca pugnax. Biol Bull 107: 386–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogben LT, Slome D. (1931) The pigmentary effector system: VI. The dual character of endocrine coordination in amphibian colour change. Proc Royal Soc (London), Ser B 108: 10–53.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes DA. (1972) On the endogenous control of tide-associated displacements of pink shrimp, Penaeus duorarum Burkenroad. Biol Bull 142: 271–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Lambert PW. (2003) Factors affecting recruitment of glass eels into the Grey River, New Zealand. J Fish Biol 63: 1067–1079.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kadman-Zahavi A, Peiper D. (1987) Effects of moonlight on flower induction in Pharbitis nil, using a single dark period. Ann Bot 6: 621–623.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerfoot WB. (1967) The lunar periodicity of Sphecodogastra texana, a nocturnal bee (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Anim Behav 15: 479–486.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleitman N. (1949) Biological rhythms and cycles. Physiol Rev 29(1): 1–29 (see p. 18).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kopal Z. (1969) The Moon. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: D. Reidl Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang HJ. (1977) Lunar periodicity of colour sense of fish. J Interdiscipl Cycle Res 8(3–4):317–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law SP. (1986) The regulation of menstrual cycle and its relationship to the moon. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 65(1): 45–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lecolazet R. (1977) Section physical geodesy, permanent commission on Earth tides. In: Proceedings of 8th International Symposium on Earth Tides. Bonn, September 19–24, 1977. Bonn: Bonatz & Melchior, pp. 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieber AL. (1978) Human aggression and the lunar synodic cycle. J Clin Psychiatry 39(5):385–392.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandoli DF, Briggs WR. (1981) Phytochrome control of two low-irradiance responses in etiolated oat seedlings. Plant Physiol 67: 733–739.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin L. (1907) La mémoire chez Convoluta roscoffensis. CR Acad Sci (Paris) 145: 555–557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maw MG. (1967) Periodicities in the influences of air ions on the growth of garden cress Lepidium sativum C. Can J Plant Sci 47: 499–505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melchior P. (1966) The Earth Tides. Oxford: Pergamon, 458 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehta TS, Lewis RD. (2000) Quantitative tests of a dual circalunidian clock model for tidal rhythmicity in the sand beach isopod Cirolana cookii. Chronobiol Intl 17(1): 29–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michelson AA, Gale HG. (1919) The rigidity of the earth. Astrophy J L: 330–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikulecky M, Zemek R. (1992) Does the moon influence the predatory activity of mites? Experientia 48(5): 530–532.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulecky M, Valachova A. (1996) Lunar influence on atrial fibrillation? Braz J Med Biol Res 29(8): 1073–1075.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulecky M, Bounias M. (1997) Worker honeybee hemolymph lipid composition and synodic lunar cycle periodicities. Braz J Med Biol Res 30(2): 275–279.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulecky M, Rovensky J. (2000) Gout attacks and lunar cycle. Med Hypoth 55(1): 24–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller CD, Pen F. (1959) Composition and nutritive value of Palolo (Palolo siciliensi Grube). Pacif Sci 13: 191–194.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan E. (1984) The pressure-responses of marine invertebrates: a psychophysical perspective. Zool J Linn Soc 80: 209–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan E. (1991) An appraisal of tidal activity rhythms. Chronobiol Intl 8(4): 283–306.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naylor E. (1960) Locomotor rhythms in Carcinus maenas (L.) from non-tidal conditions. J Exp Biol 37: 481–488.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naylor E. (1996) Crab clockwork: the case for interactive circatidal and circadian oscillators controlling rhythmic locomotor activity of Carcinus maenas. Chronobiol Intl 13(3): 153–161.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naylor E. (1997) Crab clocks rewound. Chronobiol Intl 14(4): 427–430.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neuman D. (1981) Tidal and lunar rhythms. In: Handbook of Bahvioral Neurobiology, Vol. 4. Biological Rhythms. Aschoff J, ed. New York: Plenum Press, pp. 351–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Page TL, Larimer JL. (1975a) Neural control of circadian rhythmicity in the crayfish: I. The locomotor activity rhythm. J Comp Physiol 97: 59–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page TL, Larimer JL. (1975b) Neural control of circadian rhythmicity in the crayfish: II. The ERG amplitude rhythm. J Comp Physiol 97: 81–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD, Round FE. (1967) Persistent, vertical-migration rhythms in benthic microflora: VI. The tidal and diurnal nature of the rhythm in the diatom Hantzschia virgata. Biol Bull 132: 44–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD. (1973) Tidal rhythms: the clock control of the rhythmic physiology of marine organisms. Biol Rev 48: 377–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD. (1974) Biological Clocks in Marine Organisms. The Control of Physiological and Behavioral Tidal Rhythms. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 173 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD, Williams BG. (1986) Comparative studies of tidal rhythms: II. The dual clock control of the locomotor rhythms of two decapod crustaceans. Mar Behav Physiol 12: 269–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD. (1995a) The Biological Rhythms and Clocks of Intertidal Animals. New York: Oxford University Press, 217 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD. (1995b) Review of the dual-clock control of tidal rhythms and the hypothesis that the same clock governs both circatidal and circadian rhythms. Chronobiol Intl 12(5): 299–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD. (1997) Dueling hypotheses: circatidal versus circalunidian battle basics-second engagement. Chronobiol Intl 14(4): 431–433.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JD. (2000) The clocks controlling the tide-associated rhythms of intertidal animals. Bioessays 22(1): 32–37 (Review).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panda S, Hogenesch JB, Kay SA. (2003) Circadian light input in plants, flies and mammals. Novatis Found Symp 253: 73–82; Discussion 82–88, 102–109, 281–284.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parvathy Rajan K, Kharour HH, Lockwood APM. (1979) Rhythmic cycles of blood sugar concentrations in the crab Carcinus maenas. In: Cyclic Phenomena in Marine Plants and Animals. Naylor E, Hartnoll RG, eds. New York: Pergamon, pp. 451–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne SR, Deardon DJ, Abercrombie GF, Carlson GL. (1989) Urinary retention and the lunisolar cycle: is it a lunatic phenomenon? BMJ 299(6715): 1560–1562.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS, Pearse VB, Giese AC, Sothern RB, Halberg F. (1985) Circannual rhythm with similar timing characterizes gonadal index of a marine invertebrate (ochre star) studied 30 years apart (abstract). Chronobiologia 12(3): 264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS. (1990) Lunar reproductive rhythms in marine invertebrates: maximizing fertilization? In: Advances in Invertebrate Reproduction 5. Hoshi M, Yamashita O, eds. New York: Elsevier, pp. 311–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pekeris CL. (1940) Notes on tides in wells. In: American Geophysical Union Transactions. Part II: 21st Annual Meeting, April, 1940. Washington, DC: National Research Council, pp. 212–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poolsanguan B, Uglow RF. (1974) Quantitative changes in blood sugar levels of Crangon vulgaris. J Comp Physiol 93: 1–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powell BL. (1962) Types, distribution and rhythmical behaviour of the chromatophores of juvenile Carcinus maenas (L.). J Anim Ecol 31: 251–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell BL. (1966) The control of the 24 hour rhythm of colour change in juvenile Carcinus maenas (L.). Proc R Ir Acad [B] 64(21): 379–399.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Presser HB. (1974) Temporal data relating to the human menstrual cycle. In: Biorhythms and Human Reproduction. Ferin M, Halberg F, Richert RM, Vande Wiele R, eds. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., pp. 145–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinehart JS. (1976) Influence of tidal strain on geophysical phenomena. In: Proceedings of 7th International Symposium on Earth Tides. Szadeczky-Kardoss G, ed. Stuttgart: Nägele Obermiller, pp. 181–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury FB. (1981) Twilight effect: initiating dark measurement in photoperiodism of Xanthium. Plant Physiol 67: 1230–1238.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury FB, Ross CW. (1992) Plant Physiology, 4th edn. Belmont: Wadsworth, 682 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sha LR, Xu NT, Song XH, Zhang LP, Zhang Y. (1989) Lunar phases, myocardial infarction and hemorrheological character. A Western medical study combined with appraisal of the related traditional Chinese medical theory. Chin Med J (Engl) 102(9): 722–725.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair RM. (1987) Moonlight and circadian rhythms. Science 235(4785): 145.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smolensky M, Lamberg L. (2000) The Body Clock Guide to Better Health. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 428 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sok M, Mikulecky M, Erzen J. (2001) Onset of spontaneous pneumothorax and the synodic lunar cycle. Med Hypoth 57(5): 638–641.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spruyt E, Verbelen J-P, De Greef JA. (1987) Expression of circaseptan and circannual rhythmicity in the imbibition of dry stored bean seeds. Plant Physiol 84: 707–710.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan W. (1981) Land tides may affect earth’s core of rotation. The New York Times, 23 August 1981 (Sunday), Late City Final Edition. Section 1, Part 2, page 56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundararaj BI, Vasal S, Halberg F. (1973) Circannual rhythmic ovarian recrudescence in the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. Intl J Chronobiol 1: 362–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundararaj BI, Vasal S, Halberg F. (1982) Circannual rhythmic ovarian recrudescence in the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). In: Toward Chronopharmacology. Takahashi R, Halberg F, Walker C, eds. New York: Pergamon, pp. 319–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogt KA, Beard KH, Hammann S, Palmiotto JO, Vogt DJ, Scatena FN, Hecht BP. (2002) Indigenous knowledge informing management of tropical forests: the link between rhythms in plant secondary chemistry and lunar cycles. Ambio 31(6): 485–490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Von Gaertner T, Braunroth E. (1935) [About the influence of moonlight on flowering date of long-and short-day plants.] [German]. Botan Centralblatt Abt A53: 554–563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams BG, Naylor E. (1969) Synchronization of the locomotor tidal rhythms of Carcinus. J Exp Biol 51: 715–725.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams BG. (1998) The lack of circadian timing in two intertidal invertebrates and its significance in the circatidal/circalunidian debate. Chronobiol Intl 15(3): 205–218.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Youthed GJ, Moran VC. (1969) The lunar-day activity rhythm of myrmeleontid larvae. J Insect Physiol 15: 1259–1271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zürcher E, Cantiani M-G, Sorbetti-Guerri F, Michel D. (1998) Tree stem diameters fluctuate with tide. Nature 392: 665–666.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

(2006). Tidal and Lunar Rhythms. In: Introducing Biological Rhythms. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4701-5_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics