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Anderson C, Fernandez-Nieves A. Active many-particle systems and the emergent behavior of dense ant collectives. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2024; 87:066602. [PMID: 38804124 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ad49b4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
This article discusses recent work with fire ants,Solenopisis invicta, to illustrate the use of the framework of active matter as a base to rationalize their complex collective behavior. We review much of the work that physicists have done on the group dynamics of these ants, and compare their behavior to two minimal models of active matter, and to the behavior of the synthetic systems that have served to test and drive these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Anderson
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Fernandez-Nieves
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Tuazon H, David S, Ma K, Bhamla MS. Leeches Predate on Fast-Escaping and Entangling Blackworms by Spiral Entombment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594257. [PMID: 38798328 PMCID: PMC11118295 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
We investigate how the Helobdella spp. freshwater leeches capture and consume Lumbriculus variegatus blackworms despite the blackworm's ultrafast helical swimming escape reflex and ability to form large tangled 'blobs'. We describe our discovery of a unique spiral 'entombment' strategy used by these leeches to overcome the blackworms' active and collective defenses. Unlike their approach to less reactive and solitary prey like mollusks, where leeches simply attach and suck, Helobdella leeches employ this spiral entombment strategy specifically adapted for blackworms. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between predator and prey in freshwater ecosystems, providing insights into ecological adaptability and predator-prey dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Tuazon
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Samuel David
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Kenneth Ma
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - M. Saad Bhamla
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Vatin M, Kundu S, Locatelli E. Conformation and dynamics of partially active linear polymers. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1892-1904. [PMID: 38323323 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01162c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
We perform numerical simulations of isolated, partially active polymers, driven out-of-equilibrium by a fraction of their monomers. We show that, if the active beads are all gathered in a contiguous block, the position of the section along the chain determines the conformational and dynamical properties of the system. Notably, one can modulate the diffusion coefficient of the polymer from active-like to passive-like just by changing the position of the active block. Further, we show that a slight modification of the self-propulsion rule may give rise to an enhancement of diffusion under certain conditions, despite a decrease of the overall polymer activity. Our findings may help in the modelisation of active biophysical systems, such as filamentous bacteria or worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marin Vatin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
- INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sumanta Kundu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
- INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuele Locatelli
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
- INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy
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Tuazon H, Nguyen C, Kaufman E, Tiwari I, Bermudez J, Chudasama D, Peleg O, Bhamla MS. Collecting-Gathering Biophysics of the Blackworm Lumbriculus variegatus. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1474-1484. [PMID: 37370237 PMCID: PMC10755170 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Many organisms exhibit collecting and gathering behaviors as a foraging and survival method. Benthic macroinvertebrates are classified as collector-gatherers due to their collection of particulate matter. Among these, the aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus (California blackworms) demonstrates the ability to ingest both organic and inorganic materials, including microplastics. However, earlier studies have only qualitatively described their collecting behaviors for such materials. The mechanism by which blackworms consolidate discrete particles into a larger clump remains unexplored quantitatively. In this study, we analyze a group of blackworms in a large arena with an aqueous algae solution (organic particles) and find that their relative collecting efficiency is proportional to population size. We found that doubling the population size (N = 25-N = 50) results in a decrease in time to reach consolidation by more than half. Microscopic examination of individual blackworms reveals that both algae and microplastics physically adhere to the worm's body and form clumps due to external mucus secretions by the worms. Our observations also indicate that this clumping behavior reduces the worm's exploration of its environment, possibly due to thigmotaxis. To validate these observed biophysical mechanisms, we create an active polymer model of a worm moving in a field of particulate debris. We simulate its adhesive nature by implementing a short-range attraction between the worm and the nearest surrounding particles. Our findings indicate an increase in gathering efficiency when we add an attractive force between particles, simulating the worm's mucosal secretions. Our work provides a detailed understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying the collecting-gathering behavior in L. variegatus, informing the design of bioinspired synthetic collector systems, and advances our understanding of the ecological impacts of microplastics on benthic invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Tuazon
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Chantal Nguyen
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Emily Kaufman
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ishant Tiwari
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Jessica Bermudez
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Darshan Chudasama
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Orit Peleg
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - M Saad Bhamla
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Deblais A, Prathyusha KR, Sinaasappel R, Tuazon H, Tiwari I, Patil VP, Bhamla MS. Worm blobs as entangled living polymers: from topological active matter to flexible soft robot collectives. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7057-7069. [PMID: 37706563 PMCID: PMC10523214 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00542a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the study of long, slender living worms has gained attention due to their unique ability to form highly entangled physical structures, exhibiting emergent behaviors. These organisms can assemble into an active three-dimensional soft entity referred to as the "blob", which exhibits both solid-like and liquid-like properties. This blob can respond to external stimuli such as light, to move or change shape. In this perspective article, we acknowledge the extensive and rich history of polymer physics, while illustrating how these living worms provide a fascinating experimental platform for investigating the physics of active, polymer-like entities. The combination of activity, long aspect ratio, and entanglement in these worms gives rise to a diverse range of emergent behaviors. By understanding the intricate dynamics of the worm blob, we could potentially stimulate further research into the behavior of entangled active polymers, and guide the advancement of synthetic topological active matter and bioinspired tangling soft robot collectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Deblais
- van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - K R Prathyusha
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
| | - Rosa Sinaasappel
- van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Harry Tuazon
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
| | - Ishant Tiwari
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
| | - Vishal P Patil
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - M Saad Bhamla
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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Tuazon H, Nguyen C, Kaufman E, Tiwari I, Bermudez J, Chudasama D, Peleg O, Bhamla MS. Collecting-Gathering Biophysics of the Blackworm L. variegatus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.28.538726. [PMID: 37162967 PMCID: PMC10168430 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.28.538726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Many organisms exhibit collecting and gathering behaviors as a foraging and survival method. Certain benthic macroinvertebrates are classified as collector-gatherers due to their collection of particulate matter as a food source, such as the aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus (California blackworms). Blackworms demonstrate the ability to ingest organic and inorganic materials, including microplastics, but previous work has only qualitatively described their possible collecting behaviors for such materials. The mechanism through which blackworms consolidate discrete particles into a larger clumps remains unexplored quantitatively. By analyzing a group of blackworms in a large arena with an aqueous algae solution, we discover that their relative collecting efficiency is proportional to population size. Examining individual blackworms under a microscope reveals that both algae and microplastics physically adhere to the worm's body due to external mucus secretions, which cause the materials to clump around the worm. We observe that this clumping reduces the worm's exploration of its environment, potentially due to thigmotaxis. To validate the observed biophysical mechanisms, we create an active polymer model of a worm moving in a field of particulate debris with a short-range attractive force on its body to simulate its adhesive nature. We find that the attractive force increases gathering efficiency. This study offers insights into the mechanisms of collecting-gathering behavior, informing the design of robotic systems, as well as advancing our understanding the ecological impacts of microplastics on benthic invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Tuazon
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Chantal Nguyen
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Georgia, United States
| | - Emily Kaufman
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Ishant Tiwari
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Jessica Bermudez
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Darshan Chudasama
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Orit Peleg
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Georgia, United States
- Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
| | - M. Saad Bhamla
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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