Seasonal Variations in Circadian Rhythms of Deer Mice, in Northwestern Canada

Circadian rhythms of Peromyscus maniculatus were studied at Heart Lake, Northwest Territories, in winter and spring of 1965-1966. Daily peaks of activity were of longer duration and higher amplitude in spring than in winter. In winter deer mice were frequently observed in torpor and most activity oc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ARCTIC
Main Author: Stebbins, Lucius L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1971
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/66173
Description
Summary:Circadian rhythms of Peromyscus maniculatus were studied at Heart Lake, Northwest Territories, in winter and spring of 1965-1966. Daily peaks of activity were of longer duration and higher amplitude in spring than in winter. In winter deer mice were frequently observed in torpor and most activity occurred at night. In spring daily peaks of activity began before dark and extended 4 to 5 hours into daylight of the next morning. Variations saisonnières dans le rythme circadien de la Souris à pattes blanches, Peromyscus maniculatus, dans le Nord-ouest du Canada. Au cours de l’hiver et du printemps 1965-66, on a étudié le rythme circadien de Peromyscus maniculatus à Heart Lake, Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Les sommets d’activité quotidienne étaient de plus longue durée et de plus grande amplitude au printemps qu’en hiver. En hiver, on observait souvent la Souris à pattes blanches dans un état de torpeur et presque toute son activité se produisait la nuit. Au printemps, les périodes d’activité maximale commençaient avant la nuit et se terminaient de 3 à 4 heures après l’aube du jour suivant.