Resetting the sporulation rhythm in Pilobolus with short light flashes of high intensity.

The "clock-controlled" endogenous sporulation rhythm in the fungusPilobolus sphaerosporus has been investigated as part of a comparative study aimed at elucidating characteristic common features of circadian ((1)) rhythms. Pilobolus was chosen for inclusion in this study because of its demonstrated rhythm and sensitivity to light, and because it is a relatively simple plant. It has been shown that a single, high-intensity, 1/2000 second light flash will completely reset (shift the phase of) a rhythm persisting in continuous dim red light at constant temperature, and that one or more transient cycles occur before the phase shift is complete. The significance of these results is discussed.