The Influence of Lunar Phases on Activity Patterns of Mammals

This Research Topic aims to delve into the intricate relationship between lunar phases and the biological and behavioral changes in mammals. Several species are known to modify their activities based on the cyclical changes in the moonlight's intensity, but comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon remains limited.

The Topic will focus on examining activity patterns of a variety of mammalian species, spanning different habitats and ecological niches. The nocturnal and crepuscular species, for whom moonlight can significantly impact the visibility, will be our central focus. We intend to explore the changes in their sleep patterns, feeding behavior, social interactions, and other movement activities in response to the lunar cycle.

Species activity levels and timing of these activities can respond to moonlight (either positively or negatively) , which is interesting but straightforward. Light intensity is dependent on the lunar phase but will also be affected by the habitat/vegetation cover, the seasonal light regime especially in northern latitudes, and by the weather conditions/clouding. An exciting question to ask in this Topic, is whether or not there is also an effect of the lunar phase irrespective of light intensity - we will investigate if these changes are mere responses to the variation in light conditions or if there exists a deeper biological clock aligned with the lunar cycle, as seen in some marine species. Implications of these behaviors on predator-prey dynamics, reproductive habits, and species survival strategies will also be assessed, providing a broad understanding of the topic.

This Research Topic holds potential to augment the existing literature on wildlife biology, behavior ecology, and conservation planning by integrating lunar influences into the equation of understanding wildlife behavior patterns.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: lunar phases, behavioral changes, lunar influences, wildlife behavioral patterns, mammals

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.