Worms and Wanderers: See the Breathtaking Footage of Electrically Charged Travelers in Action
Unveiling a fascinating facet of nature, scientists uncover how C. elegans worms use electric fields to jump and attach themselves to larger creatures.
In a recent publication in the journal Current Biology, researchers have unveiled an astonishing phenomenon where microscopic Caenorhabditis elegans worms utilize electric fields to leap across Petri plates and even hitch rides on insects, including naturally charged bumblebees. This groundbreaking study sheds light on the intricate interactions between different terrestrial animals and highlights the potential role of electric fields in their behavior.
“Pollinators, such as insects and hummingbirds, are known to be electrically charged, and it is believed that pollen is attracted by the electric field formed by the pollinator and the plant,” explains co-senior author Takuma Sugi. “However, it was not completely clear whether electric fields are utilized for interactions between different terrestrial animals.”
The exploration of this captivating project began when scientists observed a peculiar behavior among the worms they were studying. Contrary to expectations, the worms frequently found themselves on the lids of Petri dishes instead of the agar surface they were initially placed on. Inquisitively, the team attached a camera to monitor this activity and discovered that the worms were not simply scaling the walls of the dish; rather, they were executing incredible jumps from the floor to the ceiling.
C. elegans Worms Use Electric Fields to Jump
Driven by their suspicions of electric field-induced travel, the team conducted experiments by placing the worms on a glass electrode. Fascinatingly, they observed that the worms would only leap to another electrode when a charge was applied.
These extraordinary jumps occurred at an impressive average speed of approximately 0.86 meters per second, resembling the pace of human walking, and the distance covered intensified with the strength of the electric field.
To further unravel the mystery, the team took their investigation to the realm of natural environments. They rubbed flower pollen on bumblebees to create a natural electric charge in their bodies. As the worms approached these electrically charged bees, they skillfully positioned themselves on their tails before making remarkable jumps onto their backs. In a breathtaking display of coordination, some worms even formed towering columns, collectively transferring up to 80 worms at once across significant gaps.
“Worms stand on their tail to reduce the surface energy between their body and the substrate, thus making it easier for themselves to attach to other passing objects,” Sugi adds. “In a column, one worm lifts multiple worms, and this worm takes off to transfer across the electric field while carrying all the column worms.”
While it is widely recognized that C. elegans worms have the ability to hitch rides on bugs and snails, the mechanism behind their attachment involves direct contact since these animals do not effectively carry electric fields.
Similarly, C. elegans has been observed to jump on winged insects, yet the means by which they traverse considerable distances despite their microscopic size has remained elusive. However, this research has successfully established a vital link—the realization that winged insects naturally accumulate charge while in flight, resulting in the generation of an electric field that C. elegans can skillfully navigate along.
The precise mechanism by which C. elegans engages in this behavior remains uncertain. It is plausible that the worms’ genetics contribute to their remarkable abilities. Researchers have observed similar jumping behavior in other worm species closely related to C. elegans, and they have identified mutants that exhibit reduced jumping when they are unable to sense electric fields. However, further investigation is required to ascertain the specific genes responsible for facilitating these jumps and to explore the potential utilization of electricity for jumping in other microorganisms.
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