Photic niche and adaptive radiation: circadian photoreception in Anolis lizards

Ashli Moore, University of Virginia

October 17, 2012 @ 04:00 pm to 05:00 pm

105 FRB

Despite the important role of timing in ecological interactions and the ubiquity of the endogenous circadian clock, the ecology and evolution of circadian organization remain poorly understood. Light is the most important environmental cue for circadian timing, yet the quality and intensity of photic signals vary tremendously across habitats. How does the circadian clock function under such a broad range of conditions? Does photic habitat divergence drive evolutionary change in the circadian clock? Which components of the clock system evolve? Anolis lizards have diverged repeatedly into distinct photic habitats, providing an excellent comparative system for exploring these questions. In this talk, I will discuss my recent work on Anolis circadian behavior, physiology, and photic habitat. My findings suggest that the circadian clock is adapted to habitat light and that photic irradiance is an important ecological correlate of circadian photoreception. _

Contact

Christopher Fernandez
cwf123@psu.edu
9169472884