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I'm approaching this question from the circadian rhythm perspective. A circadian rhythm is a 24 hour cycle. While doing research on deep sea circadian rhythms, I found this abstract which seemed to imply that there are some kinds of lunar rhythms (about a month long cycle). Lunar Rhythms in the Deep Sea: Evidence from the Reproductive Periodicity of Several Marine Invertebrates:

While lunar rhythms are commonly documented in plants and animals living in terrestrial and shallow-water environments, deep-sea organisms have essentially been overlooked in that respect.

What do the authors mean by the lunar rhythms? The roughly month long menstrual cycle, or are there other ways that the moon actually influences animal/human biology?

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The moon doesn't have a direct effect on metabolism. Nor does it affect menstruation (an archaic theory existed which claimed so!!). The lunar effects are due to its gravitational field which is known to affect tides (Spring tides and neap tides). Even on a daily basis if you might have observed the sea advances into the beach in the night and recedes in the day. This effect is also because of the lunar gravity.

The abstract of the article, that you mentioned, says that moonlight may have some effect on certain organisms; I am highly skeptical about that.

I think it is just the tidal patterns that might affect the behavior of marine/coastal organisms. I am also slightly skeptical about whether the currents produced by lunar gravitation would be deep enough to affect benthic life. In that case even the heating effect of the sun can produce sea currents. Perhaps it can also produce an upward current because of differential heating.

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  • $\begingroup$ It would be great if you could add links to a few papers on the topic (am sure someone looked at that...) $\endgroup$
    – nico
    Commented May 2, 2013 at 6:33
  • $\begingroup$ @nico: i didn't refer any particular paper for this info. I'll look up and add ASAP. $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented May 2, 2013 at 12:02

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