[Sand-desert tenebrionid beetle Trigonoscelis gigas reitter: a promising biological model for space chronobiology].

The beetle proposed for studying has a unique feature: unusually precise and reliable circadian clock that evolved as an advanced adaptation to extreme arid environment. Consequently this clock became functionally similar to that of vertebrates, i.e. it has a narrow range of entrainment, stable free-running period, strong endogenous component of rhythm. This beetle is also using due to its high viability, good tolerance to housing and handling, small size and safety in use. Space flight experiments with beetles on BION, PHOTON satellites and on MIR orbital station proved that parameters of circadian rhythms are dependent upon gravity. Future studies will focus on electrophysiology and comparative ecology of these beetles. This biological species together with developed methods represent a new promising technology of research in gravitational chronobiology.