Circannual Rhythms of Ground Squirrels: A Test of the Frequency Demultiplication Hypothesis

Abstract

The frequency demultiplication hypothesis (FDH) posits that circannual rhythms are generated from circadian cycles by frequency transformation to the lower-frequency rhythm. To test the FDH, we determined the periods of the circannual body mass and estrous cycles of golden-mantled ground squirrels with circadian locomotor activity rhythms entrained to 23-, 24-, or 25-hr days (T-cycles). Circannual period length did not differ among squirrels entrained to the different T-cycles; intergroup ranges were 298-314 days and 303-312 days, respectively, for body mass and estrus. These results are not consistent with the FDH and suggest instead that separate mechanisms generate circadian and circannual rhythms. In ground squirrels the circannual system influences circadian organization, but a reciprocal influence of circadian on circannual rhythms has yet to be demonstrated.