Possible "dawn" and "dusk" roles of light pulses shifting the phase of a circadian rhythm

Abstract

A new automatic photoelectric method used in recording the eclosion rate of flies is described. The phase responses of the circadian rhythm of eclosion in Drosophila pseudoobscura to light pulses, of 1000 lx intensity and durations varying between 30 min and 12 h, were studied. The rhythm responds selectively either to the "on" or to the "off" transition of light pulses offered during the subjective night. The light pulses shift phase with the off transition during the first half of the night (dusk effect) and shift phase with the "on" transition during the second half of the night (dawn effect). The present findings are briefly discussed in the context of the work of other authors in this field.