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Light and Diet as Factors in Relation to Sexual Periodicity

Abstract

IN his recent communication regarding light as a factor in causing sexual periodicity in birds and mammals, Dr. F. H. A. Marshall1 has directed attention to several examples of the induction of sexual activity in birds by prolonged daily light periods, and to the great rarity of animals not exposed to light variations at some time. Even nocturnal animals are subject to twilight. Not all have the same degree of susceptibility to light in this respect. He also cited conditions in tropical regions, such as the Cameroons, “where environmental conditions are similar throughout the year” and “native birds have no restricted breeding season but breed at any time”.

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BISSONNETTE, T. Light and Diet as Factors in Relation to Sexual Periodicity. Nature 129, 612 (1932). https://doi.org/10.1038/129612a0

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