Summary
The period (τ) of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) free-running activity rhythm obeys “Aschoff's Rule”, shortening when the level of constant illumination is increased and lengthening when illumination is decreased (Fig. 1). This response is mediated by both the eyes (Figs. 2 and 3) and the extraretinal brain photoreceptors (Figs. 3, 4 and 5, Table 1).
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We thank Anne Reynolds and Alan Dulaney for technical assistance. This investigation was supported by NIH grants HD-03803, HD-07727, HD-09327, and HD-00268.
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McMillan, J.P., Elliott, J.A. & Menaker, M. On the role of eyes and brain photoreceptors in the sparrow: Aschoff's rule. J. Comp. Physiol. 102, 257–262 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01464360
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01464360