Role of Eyes and Ocelli in Initiation of Circadian Activity Rhythms in Cockroaches

WOS:A1976CN73400008International audienceA review of the literature on the circadian activity rhythms in cockroaches led Vancassel (1968) to suggest that both the eyes and the ocelli play a role in the induction of rhythms in previously arrhythmic cockroaches. Experiments involving eye-opaquing or cauterizing techniques were performed to test this hypothesis. The results imply that both kinds of photoreceptors are involved in the setting up of a rhythm, and that light transmitted via the peri-antennal cuticle may be as well. The role of these forms of photoreception in the entrainment of free-running circadian rhythms was not examined