A most important function of the circadian system is to ensure that behavio
rs and metabolism are appropriately timed with respect to the light/dark cy
cle and photoperiod. Ecological constraints can perturb the daily schedules
; would they also impair photoperiodic adaptations? A natural model exists
in the golden spiny mouse (Acomys russatus), which is nocturnal, but driven
into diurnal activity when sharing the habitat with its congener, A. cahir
inus. We show here that the presence of A. cahirinus alters the diurnal rhy
thms of body temperature and urine volume, delays excretion of the major me
latonin metabolite, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT), and increases 2-deoxygluc
ose uptake by the suprachiasmatic nuclei in A. russatus. Nevertheless, a cl
ear photoperiod effect on urine volume and B-SMT rhythms was observed. Thes
e results indicate that the circadian system can adapt to major changes in
daily scheduling without impairing daylength measurement, and consequently
seasonal adaptation. J. Exp. Zool. 284:100-106, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss,
Inc.