Physiologische Uhren von Insekten Zur Ökophysiologie lunarperiodisch kontrollierter Fortpflanzungszeiten

Physiological clocks have been selected in various eukaryotic organisms in relation to daily, tidal, lunar and annual cycles of the environment. Insect species are appropriate experimental objects for the analysis of biological timing mechanisms and their evolutionary adaptation to the local environment. The most complex periodic environment occurs in the interface between the land and the sea, i.e., in the range of spring and neap tides. By the combination of ’circadian‘ and ’circalunar‘ clocks and their reliably perceptible ’zeitgeber‘ conditions, a few marine insects can temporally program their development to distinct tidal situations that occur only on distinct lunar days and at a distinct time of day every 14–15 days.     

Birds,berries and UV

The problem of UV vision in vertebrates is briefly discussed in its historical context. For example, UV vision has been demonstrated in some birds by several authors. Hence the reflectances of plumage, petals of bird-pollinated flowers and of berries in the near UV may play an important rôle within the visual environment of birds. Some data obtained by means of UV photography are presented, and it is shown, that the waxlayer of glaucous fruits is highly reflective in the UV.