2024, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part A
Chronobiology in the animal kingdom: Understanding seasonal adaptations
Author(s): Dr. Meruva Vijayakumar
Abstract: Chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms, plays a critical role in understanding how animals adapt to seasonal changes in their environments. These adaptations, governed by circadian (daily) and circannual (yearly) rhythms, enable species to synchronize their physiological and behavioral processes with the changing seasons, ensuring survival and reproductive success. This review explores the intricate mechanisms behind these seasonal adaptations, with a focus on recent research conducted between 2010 and 2024.Key areas of interest include the molecular and genetic foundations of circadian and circannual rhythms, photoperiodic responses, and the influence of environmental factors such as temperature. Circadian rhythms regulate daily cycles like sleep and feeding, while circannual rhythms govern long-term behaviors such as migration, hibernation, and breeding. Photoperiodism, or the response to changes in day length, is particularly crucial in timing these seasonal events.The review also examines the impact of climate change on these biological rhythms, highlighting the increasing mismatch between environmental cues and the timing of life history events. Phenological shifts, where species alter the timing of critical behaviors like breeding or migration, are becoming more common as global temperatures rise. These changes can lead to reduced fitness and survival rates, particularly for species unable to adapt quickly enough to the new conditions.Additionally, this review identifies gaps in current research, particularly in the study of tropical species and the role of epigenetic modifications in seasonal behaviors. The findings underscore the need for further studies to explore the genetic and epigenetic regulation of seasonal rhythms, as well as the importance of monitoring the ongoing impacts of climate change.By integrating insights from genetics, physiology, and ecology, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of how animals adapt to seasonal changes, with significant implications for conservation strategies in a rapidly changing world.
DOI: 10.22271/letters.2024.v4.i2a.98
Pages: 13-20 | Views: 292 | Downloads: 132
Download Full Article: Click Here

How to cite this article:
Dr. Meruva Vijayakumar. Chronobiology in the animal kingdom: Understanding seasonal adaptations. Zool Entomol Lett 2024;4(2):13-20. DOI: 10.22271/letters.2024.v4.i2a.98