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Circadian rhythms in zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) behaviour and the sources of their variability
Author(s) -
Krylov Viacheslav V.,
Izvekov Evgeny I.,
Pavlova Vera V.,
Pankova Natalia A.,
Osipova Elena A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.993
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1469-185X
pISSN - 1464-7931
DOI - 10.1111/brv.12678
Subject(s) - zebrafish , circadian rhythm , danio , zeitgeber , biology , neuroscience , phase response curve , rhythm , chronobiology , circadian clock , medicine , genetics , gene
Over recent decades, changes in zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) behaviour have become popular quantitative indicators in biomedical studies. The circadian rhythms of behavioural processes in zebrafish are known to enable effective utilization of energy and resources, therefore attracting interest in zebrafish as a research model. This review covers a variety of circadian behaviours in this species, including diurnal rhythms of spawning, feeding, locomotor activity, shoaling, light/dark preference, and vertical position preference. Changes in circadian activity during zebrafish ontogeny are reviewed, including ageing‐related alterations and chemically induced variations in rhythmicity patterns. Both exogenous and endogenous sources of inter‐individual variability in zebrafish circadian behaviour are detailed. Additionally, we focus on different environmental factors with the potential to entrain circadian processes in zebrafish. This review describes two principal ways whereby diurnal behavioural rhythms can be entrained: ( i ) modulation of organismal physiological state, which can have masking or enhancing effects on behavioural endpoints related to endogenous circadian rhythms, and ( ii ) modulation of period and amplitude of the endogenous circadian rhythm due to competitive relationships between the primary and secondary zeitgebers. In addition, different peripheral oscillators in zebrafish can be entrained by diverse zeitgebers. This complicated orchestra of divergent influences may cause variability in zebrafish circadian behaviours, which should be given attention when planning behavioural studies.