SHORT COMMUNICATION
Biological rhythms in reindeer
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1
Department of Arctic Biology and Institute of Medical Biology, N9037 Tromsø, Norway
2
Department of Biology, University of Tromsø,
N9037 Tromsø, Norway
Publication date: 2004-08-30
Corresponding author
K. A. Stokkan
Department of Arctic Biology and Institute of Medical Biology, N9037 Tromsø, Norway
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2004;13(Suppl. 1):715-716
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ABSTRACT
Reindeer display numerous biological rhythms that prepare them for predictable changes in
their environment. This form of biological timing generally results from an interplay between
endogenous clocks and ambient signals of which the daily light-dark cycle is the most pronounced.
Living at high latitudes, reindeer are exposed to extreme photic conditions throughout the year. As
a consequence, they seem to have developed a form of biological timing which involves a reduction
in the activity of endogenous clock mechanisms.