The Reptilian Clock System: Circadian Clock, Extraretinal Photoreception, and Clock-Dependent Celestial Compass Orientation Mechanisms in Reptiles

Bertolucci, Cristiano; Frigato, Elena; Foà, Augusto

doi:10.1007/978-81-322-3688-7_10

Cristiano Bertolucci²,
Elena Frigato² &
Augusto Foà²

2589 Accesses
1 Citations

Abstract

Among vertebrates, reptiles are one of the most interesting taxa to understand the evolution of the circadian system to different ecological niches. Here we summarize the current knowledge about the circadian system of reptiles. In detail, paragraph 3 analyzes studies concerning the existence of peripheral and central circadian oscillators in reptiles, with complementary data gathered using molecular, physiological, and behavioral approaches, particularly, the role of SCN and the reactions of both central and peripheral oscillators to drastic changes in ambient temperatures. In paragraph 4, as it is peculiar to other nonmammalian vertebrates, also lizards, behavioral and hormonal rhythms (particularly melatonin) can be entrained by extraretinal and deep brain photoreceptors, whose position in the brain seems to vary somewhat in different lizard species. In paragraph 5, the seasonal changes in circadian organization are analyzed in fine detail in the ruin lizard Podarcis sicula, a species in which most research on seasonality has be done. Paragraph 6 reports some data on the role of ambient light irradiance in the circadian organization. Paragraph 7 deals with problems of orientation in space, with particular interest in celestial compass mechanisms which need a functional circadian clock to work properly. In this context recent results are reported on the functioning of both sun and sky polarization compasses and the pivotal role played by the parietal eye in those mechanisms of orientation. Paragraph 8 reports conclusion and perspectives.

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Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Cristiano Bertolucci, Elena Frigato & Augusto Foà

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Cristiano Bertolucci
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Elena Frigato
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Augusto Foà
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Correspondence to Cristiano Bertolucci .

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Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
Vinod Kumar

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Bertolucci, C., Frigato, E., Foà, A. (2017). The Reptilian Clock System: Circadian Clock, Extraretinal Photoreception, and Clock-Dependent Celestial Compass Orientation Mechanisms in Reptiles. In: Kumar, V. (eds) Biological Timekeeping: Clocks, Rhythms and Behaviour. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3688-7_10

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3688-7_10
Published: 16 February 2017
Publisher Name: Springer, New Delhi
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Online ISBN: 978-81-322-3688-7
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