Crepuscular

Crepuscular
For the atmospheric optical effect, see crepuscular rays.
Adult Firefly or "Lightning Bug" – a crepuscular beetle
Photuris lucicrescens

Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk.[1] The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight."[1] Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright moonlit night. Many animals that are casually described as nocturnal are in fact crepuscular.[2] Within the definition of crepuscular are the terms matutinal (or "matinal") and vespertine, denoting species active only in the dawn or only in the dusk, respectively.

The patterns of activity are thought to be an antipredator adaptation. Many predators forage most intensely at night, whereas others are active at mid-day and see best in full sun. Thus, the crepuscular habit may reduce predation. Also, in hot areas, it may be a way of avoiding thermal stress while capitalizing on available light.

A number of familiar mammal species are crepuscular, including housecats, dogs[3], rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and rats. Other crepuscular mammals include prosimians, red pandas, deer, moose, chinchillas, the common mouse, skunks, wombats, quolls, spotted hyenas, bobcats, tenrecidae, capybaras, and the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Crepuscular birds include the Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, American Woodcock, and Spotted Crake.

Some species have different habits in the absence of predators. For example, the Short-eared Owl is crepuscular on those of the Galápagos Islands that have buzzard species, but diurnal on those without.

Many moths, beetles, flies, and other insects are crepuscular as well.

See also

v · d · eEthology and parts of the day
Owl at Night.jpg
Crepuscular (Matutinal · Vespertine)

References

  1. ^ a b Winn, Philip (2001). Dictionary of Biological Psychology. Taylor & Francis. p. 194. ISBN 0415136067 
  2. ^ "Crepuscular Summary". BookRags.com. 2010-11-02. http://www.bookrags.com/research/crepuscular-ansc-01/. Retrieved 2011-07-11. 
  3. ^ The ecology of stray dogs: a study of free-ranging urban animals By Alan M. Beck p.12

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • crepuscular — CREPUSCULÁR, Ă, crepusculari, e, adj. Care ţine de crepuscul. ♦ Slab luminat, abia vizibil. – Din fr. crépusculaire. Trimis de ana zecheru, 17.09.2008. Sursa: DEX 98  crepusculár adj. m., pl. crepusculári; f. sg. crepusculáră …   Dicționar Român

  • Crepuscular — Cre*pus cu*lar ( k? l?r), Crepusculous Cre*pus cu*lous ( l?s), a. [Cf. F. cr[ e]pusculaire.] 1. Pertaining to twilight; glimmering; hence, imperfectly clear or luminous. [1913 Webster] This semihistorical and crepuscular period. Sir G. C. Lewis.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • crepuscular — adjetivo 1. Uso/registro: elevado. Del crepúsculo: luz crepuscular …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • crepuscular — [kri pus′kyo͞o lər] adj. [see CREPUSCULE] 1. of or like twilight; dim 2. active at twilight or just before sunrise [crepuscular insects] …   English World dictionary

  • crepuscular — figurative use from 1660s; lit. use from 1755, from L. crepusculum twilight, dusk, from creper dusky, of unknown origin. Especially of evening twilight …   Etymology dictionary

  • crepuscular — adj. 2 g. 1. Do crepúsculo. 2. Próprio do crepúsculo. 3. Que só aparece ao anoitecer …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • crepuscular — 1. adj. Perteneciente o relativo al crepúsculo. U. t. en sent. fig.) 2. Se dice del estado de ánimo, intermedio entre la conciencia y la inconsciencia, que se produce inmediatamente antes o después del sueño natural, o bien a consecuencia de… …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • crepuscular — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ resembling or relating to twilight. ORIGIN from Latin crepusculum twilight …   English terms dictionary

  • crepuscular — ► adjetivo 1 Del crepúsculo: ■ se dejó envolver por la penumbra crepuscular que entraba por las vidrieras. 2 SICOLOGÍA Se aplica al estado de ánimo que está entre la consciencia y la inconsciencia. ► adjetivo/ sustantivo masculino 3 ZOOLOGÍA Se… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • crepuscular — adjective Date: 1668 1. of, relating to, or resembling twilight ; dim < crepuscular light > 2. occurring or active during twilight < crepuscular insects > < crepuscular activity > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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