Dynamics of pattern formation and emergence of swarming in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: Many animals collectively form complex patterns to tackle environmental difficulties. Several biological and physical factors, such as animal motility, population densities, and chemical cues, play significant roles in this process. However, very little is known about how sensory information interplays with these factors and controls the dynamics of pattern formation. Here, we study the direct relation between oxygen sensing, pattern formation, and emergence of swarming in active Caenorhabditis elegans aggregates. We find that when thousands of animals gather on food, bacteria-mediated decrease in oxygen level slows down the animals and triggers motility-induced phase separation. Three coupled factors-bacterial accumulation, aerotaxis, and population density-act together and control the en

SUBMITTER: Demir E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7202895 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature