As we discuss in class the various factors that affect the behavior of animals, one celestial object has gone unrecognized, the moon. While it can be used for navigation during the night, and illuminating the earth at night for animals to see, there seems to be a slew of hard to explain traits exhibited in animals that associate with lunar phases.
In an article written by Helen Pearson, she cites numerous examples of animal behavior, particularly marine life, which alters it behavior around the moon. One of the most obvious affects the moon has on animals is the changing of tides. In a study done on fiddler crabs that were kept in an environment of constant water temperature and light, they crabs were the most active when the tide would have been the lowest. This gives way to a circalunar clock, a skill that some animals are able to predict the tides of the moon. A study performed by Martin Wilkelski of Princeton, New Jersey found that iguanas of the Galapagos with the most accurate circalunar clocks are most likely to survive rough times. The moons illumination also affects animal behavior, and it was shown that the African Dung Beetle rolls in a straighter line when the moon is out.
What about the moons affect on humans? Surely the word lunacy must have some scientific backup to justify it. Well, Science has been able to point out anomalies or coincidences, but most sources state that more research needs to be conducted to link the two. For example, one study at the university of Berne, Switzerland found that on a study of 1,100 people would sleep about 20 minutes less during a full moon. Some studies suggest that crime rates, hospital admissions, and births occur with higher frequency during a full moon, while there are studies that pose this idea. Finally, the human menstrual cycle, which on average shares a calendar with the cycle of the moon, seems to be nothing more of a coincidence states John Palmer of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Menstrual cycles vary greatly in other animals, and also within human individuals.
The general consensus that I’ve found is that while it is clear that some animals, including humans, seem to be affected by the phases of the moon, more research needs to be performed before real solid conclusions are drawn. But it does seem a bit lunar that a giant rock could affect so much.
Posted by Stephen Lee
posted by PWH @ 3:20 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
You mentioned that there was research done that showed that the iguanas in the Galapagos that have the most accurate lunar clocks are most likely to survive. Why is this? Is it that they keep out of predators way or that they know when is the best time to eat? Also, I found it really odd that the African Dung Beetle rolls in straighter lines when the moon is out. Is there a reason for this? The most is very interesting, I would just like to know a little more as to why the animals behave in that way.
-Tara Quist
I worked in the nursing profession for a few years. All the older nurses were convinced that they were the busiest during full moons, just before big storms, and all big holidays. It would be nice to see some concrete experiments done to prove or disprove these beliefs.
Allan Eldridge
I never really believed it when people would say that the moon would make them or others do strange things. I always thought it was an excuse for that person to not take full responsibility for their actions. After reading your entry I'm starting to think maybe I was wrong. But I wonder what is it that the moon affects that causes humans to act the way the do during a full moon? Is there any hormonal changes that might happen to trigger these things?
- Debbie Theodat
I would like to know about how the circalunar clock works. How do the animals react before a full moon appears? Do you know if the circalunar clock is triggered by the moon itself or is it the change in the tides that help animals such as the iguana change it's behavior? Nice article, I would like to know more.
Carlos A. Varela
In the second paragraph you used the word they instead of the. I was wondering if you could tell me more about the menstrual cycle in women. Does it become heavier during the ful moon or lack of moon, or does it usually come around the time of the moon?
Ada Marie Flores
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