Ultradian rhythm of activity in Japanese quail groups under semi-natural conditions during ontogeny: Functional aspects and relation to circadian rhythm

The function of ultradian rhythms is not yet clearly elucidated. In particu lar, short-term rhythms are expressed during early ontogeny, especially in broods of precocial birds. We investigated the relationship between the cla rity of the ultradian rhythm of the activity/rest cycle of a group of young Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and the level of social synchronisation and spatial cohesion between the birds within that group. The subjects wer e descended from two lines selected for either very pronounced rhythmic or arrhythmic circadian activity. We found a positive relationship between the clarity of the ultradian rhythm of the activity/rest cycle when birds were young and the clarity of the circadian rhythm of feeding activity when bir ds were older, but still immature. The temporal organisation of the behaviour of the chicks from these two lin es was observed in outdoor aviaries, when they were 4, 8, 12 and 15 days ol d. The mean ultradian period expressed by groups of 12 chicks was variable, with a minimum of 6 minutes. The ultradian period lengthened regularly as chicks grew older, and reached approximately 40 min on day 15. The clarity of the ultradian rhythmicity of group activity was linked to the level of i nter-individual social synchronisation and of spatial cohesion; the more pr onounced the ultradian rhythms of a group, the greater the temporal and spa tial cohesion of the chicks within the group. Moreover, these characteristi cs varied with the age of the chicks. Finally, chicks in the less rhythmic groups weighed less. These results stress the adaptive value of this tempor al organisation strategy under natural conditions.