For many years, scientists have observed nematodes constructing enormous superorganisms in the shape of writhing towers. However, this phenomenon was only documented in laboratory settings. Now, researchers report that they have witnessed these enormous, unsettling towers writhing in their natural habitat for the very first time.
Earlier, it was thought that this behavior was an effort to escape from the rest of their group. Yet, new visuals of the writhing towers now indicate that these structures are actually used collaboratively, benefiting multiple worms rather than just one.
The researchers detailed their discoveries in a publication in Current Biology, stating that these towering superorganisms had only existed in their imaginations for an extended period. Observing the towers has also provided insights into how various nematode species cooperate.
While observing the towers, the scientists noted that although several species navigated through the worm structures, only one species, a resilient larval stage known as dauer, actively participated in the construction of the writhing masses. This specificity in tower construction suggests a purpose beyond mere random cooperation.
Thus, these towers are genuine superorganisms and not merely heaps of writhing worm bodies. This revelation also prompted the researchers to ponder: could other worms also create similar writhing towers? To investigate this theory, they inserted a toothbrush bristle into a food-free agar plate and then released a group of roundworms from the species Caenorhabditis elegans into the setup.
Instantly, the worms began collaborating and forming a tower. Within two hours, the researchers observed that the C. elegans had constructed a tower using the bristle as its core. The researchers noted that some worms along the superorganism wriggled and functioned as exploratory arms, while others served as bridges across gaps.
To assess the superorganism’s reaction, the researchers tapped the top of the tower with a glass pick. Almost immediately, the worms began to squirm and move toward the impacted area. This behavior, they argue, indicates that these towers are continuously growing and responding to stimuli.
