Jinya Li , Mengyue Chen

Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 2   doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0012
Received: 13 Feb., 2024    Accepted: 25 Mar., 2024    Published: 16 Apr., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Li J.Y., and Chen M.Y., 2024, Chronobiology of migratory patterns in animals, International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 14(2): 111-127 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0012)

This study synthesizes current knowledge on the chronobiology of migratory patterns in animals, focusing on the genetic, physiological, and environmental factors that influence these patterns. Key discoveries in the field highlight the role of endogenous circadian clocks in regulating migratory behaviors across various species. For instance, studies on North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have shown evolutionary adaptations in clock genes that enable these insects to cope with different latitudinal environments. In birds, polymorphisms in clock genes such as Clock and Adcyap1 have been linked to seasonal migratory timing, although these genes are not definitive markers for distinguishing migratory from sedentary species. Research on the American kestrel has identified multiple biological time-keeping genes that influence migratory timing, suggesting the existence of distinct migratory genotypes within populations. Furthermore, the interplay between circadian and circatidal rhythms has been observed in marine organisms, indicating a complex interaction between different environmental cues and endogenous clocks. The findings underscore the intricate relationship between endogenous biological clocks and migratory behaviors in animals. Understanding these mechanisms not only provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of species but also has broader implications for conservation strategies and predicting the impacts of climate change on migratory patterns.

Chronobiology; Migratory patterns; Circadian clocks; Clock genes; Evolutionary adaptations; Environmental cues