Publication details
Circadian rhythm of insect activity is sensitive to magnetic fields
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2018 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Orientation in time is maintained by internal biological clock which allows optimal timing of metabolic, physiological and behavioral processes of the animals. Biological clock mechanism uses for its signalization the same magnetosensitive molecule Cryptochrome as animal compasses do. Recently, only two works on Drosophila melanogaster show that biological clock may be speeded up or slowed down by magnetic field (MF). Here, we investigated daily rhythms of cockroach Blattella germanica under different light and magnetic conditions. Under UV short wavelength light, magnetic field (120uT) extended the daily period. However, there was no impact of MF on clock regime under the green light. Surprisingly, also weak radiofrequency field (RF) extended the period. Our data give the evidence of MF impact on the internal biological clock and adds novel results to recent contradictory findings. Here, we also demonstrate original data representing the effect of low RF noise on the biological clock mechanism. Sensitivity of the animal clock system to the weak magnetic fields (comparable with the Earth’s one) as well as to the anthropogenic fields opens new concerns in behavioral ecology of animals and human health protection. |