Data mining using multivariate The circadian rhythm and visual elements in scorpions: A review

• Main Author: M. R. Warburg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 2013-12-01
• Series: Arthropods
• Subjects: Zeitgeber; structure of the eyes; photic entrainment; hormonal and neurosecretory entrainments
• Online Access: http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/arthropods/articles/2013-2(4)/circadian-rhythm-and-visual-elements-in-scorpions.pdf

The purpose of this paper is to review the state of research in this field and to outline future ways how to proceed. The term: "Zeitgeber", implies 'time giver' meaning: synchronizer when an external entrainment factor synchronizes the endogenous rhythm. Is this 'time giver', the chronological date in the sense that it is related to the time of day as reflected in the natural light-dark cycles? Or does it mean cyclic phases of activity as demonstrated in the laboratory? Moreover, is it totally independent of the animal's physiological condition? This subject was studied largely in buthid species (15) of a total of only 30 scorpion species. Moreover, many (over 25%) of the studies (19) were done on a single buthid species: Androctonus australis. Species diversity was observed only by one author's work who studied eye structure in seven species. Since he found variability in eye structure it would not be advisable to generalize. The fact that experimenting was carried out irrespective of species diversity, gender, ecological or physiological conditions, and was usually done on animals kept in captivity for some time before the experimenting had started, is a major drawback to this kind of study. The diurnal rhythms is triggered either directly through spontaneous arrhythmic activity in the central nervous system, or by neurosecretory material. It is possible that these differences arise from either different technical treatments or due to basic problems, and these need to be clarified.