Is the rhythm of vertical migration of Daphnia longispina circadian or simply nycthemeral ?

Université de Saint Etienne, Laboratoire de Biologie Animale et Appliquée, 23 rue du Dr. Paul Michelon, 42023 Saint Etienne cedex 2, France.

Corresponding author: cellier@univ-st-etienne.fr

Abstract

From an ecological viewpoint, diel vertical migration (DVM) of zooplankton is an adapted response to environmental factors. DVM coincides with changes in light intensity, but persists also under constant illumination conditions. This fact suggests the existence of an internal clock. In Daphnia longispina, it could be located in the eye. Indeed, the spatial distribution of the pigments containing in the eye ommatidia exhibits significant changes over time when Daphnia are kept under light/dark (LD) conditions. These variations coincide with displacements of the organisms. Furthermore, it is observed that the blue/dark conditions, which inhibit DVM, also stop changes in the distribution of pigments in the ommatidia. The modifications of the eye observed under LD white light represent either the internal clock or its manifestation.