Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
12-2019
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Thomas C. Jones
Committee Members
Darrell Moore, Karl Joplin
Abstract
This study examines locomotor activity in samples of Frontinella pyramitela collected over its active season (April-October) to investigate whether seasonality and/or age may help explain the exceptional variability typically found in spider clock systems. Despite its noteworthy variability (%CV= 7.7), we have found that Frontinella has a mean free-running period of 28.4±2.18 hours that does not significantly vary over time. There is no correlation between day length and free-running period, indicating that varying length of FRP is not a function of photoperiod length. In LD 12:12 h, the window of activity is significantly smaller in April, gradually widening as the season continues, which may be evident of a shift in foraging strategy. Frontinella’s clock appears to mature before its entrainment mechanisms are fully developed, and towards the end of its season, there is strong evidence of circadian misalignment which may be a product of physiological age.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Crain, Shae, "Age and Seasonal Change in the Chronobiology of a Spider with an Exceptionally Long-Period Circadian Clock" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3673. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3673
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.