Circadian rhythms of activity, ventilatory frequency and heart rate in the adult River lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis

Claridge, P.N., Potter, I.C. and Hughes, G.M. (1973) Circadian rhythms of activity, ventilatory frequency and heart rate in the adult River lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis. Journal of Zoology, 171 (2). pp. 239-250.

Abstract

Activity and the electrocardiogram and respiratory potentials of 17 adult River lampreys, Lampetra fluviatilis, acclimated to 7°± 1°C and a light/dark cycle of 11/13 hours, were recorded throughout the spawning run (November to April). Activity was far greater in the dark in all but the sexually mature animals, reflecting behaviour in the field. A circadian rhythm was also observed in the heart rate during periods of inactivity, and this was correlated with an increase in ventilatory frequency or amplitude. A similar rhythm was not present in the sexually mature animals. Moreover, heart and ventilatory frequencies tended to increase during the spawning run. A whole number ratio between heart rate and ventilatory frequency was seen in only 11 of 425 recordings.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/19331

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