Abstract
Two Vorticella species undergo a synchronous transition from sessile zooids to motile telotrochs, which swarm enveloped in secreted mucus, subsequently forming dense aggregations on substrates and reverting to the zooid form. This cyclical process recurs on a daily basis. Each species exhibits a unique mode of swarming behavior. We hypothesize that these behaviors may serve to facilitate efficient feeding while concurrently acting as a mechanism for predator avoidance.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Copyright
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.
Posted November 28, 2024.
