MINI REVIEW article
Front. Mamm. Sci.
Sec. Physiology and the Whole Organism Ethology
Volume 4 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmamm.2025.1690167
This article is part of the Research TopicThe Influence of Lunar Phases on Activity Patterns of MammalsView all articles
A Rhythmic Dance: How Lunar Cycles Influence Reproductive Behaviour in Vertebrates
Provisionally accepted
- 1University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- 2Department of Veterinary Sciences, Messina, Italy
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This review explores how lunar-controlled rhythms influence vertebrate reproduction, bridging the gap between historical folklore and modern science. For centuries, cultural beliefs have connected the moon's phases to fertility and natural cycles. Recent chronobiological studies have uncovered more specific connections, identifying complex lunar rhythms in many aquatic species that combine daily and tidal cues to regulate behaviors like spawning and migration. While circalunar and circasemilunar clocks are known to regulate reproduction in numerous invertebrates and vertebrates, the most exciting discoveries lie ahead. In the meantime, this review aims to synthesize current scientific literature to examine how lunar rhythms specifically influence reproductive behavior in vertebrates. Analyzing studies across fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals (including humans), this review highlights how lunar phases have discernible effects on several reproductive aspects, including courtship, ovulation, semen quality, conception, embryonic development, and parturition timing. In conclusion, the growing scientific interest in lunar influence on animal reproduction underscores its potential significance in animal biology. Further interdisciplinary research is necessary to elucidate the underlying physiological mechanisms and explore their practical applications.
Keywords: circalunar rhythms, Circadian clock, Vertebrate reproduction, chronobiology, Melatonin
Received: 21 Aug 2025; Accepted: 21 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 ALBERGHINA. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Daniela ALBERGHINA, dalberghina@unime.it
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