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Journal of Experimental Biology 37,154-163 (1960)
Published by Company of Biologists 1960

The Effect of Perturbations in the Environmental Cycle of the Diurnal Rhythm of Activity of Periplaneta Americana L

JANET E. HARKER ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

1. The locomotor activity rhythm of Periplaneta americana in alternating light and darkness is described as consisting of six stages.

2. The effect on the suboesophageal ganglion neurosecretory cycle of a change from light to darkness at each stage of the locomotor rhythm is described, and three stages in the neurosecretory cycle are recognized.

3. The effect on an established locomotor activity rhythm of a change to darkness at various times of day is described in terms of the immediate reaction of the animal and of the subsequent phase relations of the rhythm.

4. The phases of the activity rhythm are not reset if the environmental change occurs during the active period. The final positioning of the phases, when the onset of darkness occurs during the non-secretory phase of the neurosecretory cycle, is dependent upon the subsequent light conditions; transient activity peaks may appear before the stable position is reached.

5. The dependence of the neurosecretory cells on some other centre for the provision of some secretory substance, or precursor, is discussed.