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Journal of Experimental Biology 54,187-198 (1971)
Published by Company of Biologists 1971

Circadian Rhythm of Locomotion and its Temperature Dependence in Blattella Germanica

HANS DREISIG ¹ and ERIK TETENS NIELSEN ¹

¹ Molslaboratoriet, Femmøller, Denmark

1. The activity in Blattella germanica was investigated under standard conditions. Periods of latency and increment were recognized.

2. The free-running rhythm in continuous darkness was determined at different temperatures and showed about the same period. The free-running rhythm in continous light could not be determined unless the light intensity was extremely low.

3. The period of activity was not released immediately after a change from light to darkness if this was advanced in relation to the normal time. The activity was then only slightly advanced.

4. Delay of the onset of darkness caused the activity to diminish gradually after the usual time of change from light to dark.

5. If the temperature was lowered some time before the expected time of activity in continuous darkness the activity was advanced much more than normally. If the temperature was raised the activity was delayed.

6. Based upon these and other studies, a theory is advanced which explains the activity rhythms in insects as being the result of the interaction between a gradually increasing, temperature-dependent sensitization and different thresholds of release determined by light and temperature. A theory is propounded concerning the temperature-independence of the free-running rhythm in continuous darkness, assuming a temperature-dependent threshold of release.