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Age-dependent Dynamics of Locomotion in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Lyapunov Exponent Analysis
Published on: September 23, 2025
362
C. elegans episodic swimming is driven by multifractal kinetics.
Yusaku Ikeda1,2, Peter Jurica1, Hiroshi Kimura2
1Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|September 9, 2020
Summary
Animal behavior, like nematode swimming, exhibits fractal scaling. This study reveals distinct multifractal kinetics govern transitions between active and inactive states, influenced by cyclic GMP dependent kinase (PKG).
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Fractal scaling is prevalent in animal behavior dynamics.
- Molecular underpinnings of fractal scaling in behavior are poorly understood.
- Nematode *C. elegans* exhibits alternating swimming and resting states.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the fractal kinetics of *C. elegans* episodic swimming.
- Explore the molecular mechanisms regulating these fractal behaviors.
- Determine if cyclic GMP dependent kinase (PKG) influences multifractal kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multifractal analysis to characterize swimming behavior.
- Analyzed residence times in active and inactive states.
- Employed molecular genetics and kinetic analysis.
Main Results:
- *C. elegans* swimming displays scale-free kinetics with long-range temporal correlation and local temporal clusterization.
- Residence times followed a power-law distribution.
- Distinct multifractal kinetics were observed between active and inactive states.
- Cyclic GMP dependent kinase (PKG) was identified as a potential regulator.
Conclusions:
- *C. elegans* episodic swimming is driven by state transitions with unique multifractal kinetics.
- PKG may modulate the multifractal dynamics of animal behavior.
- The combinatorial approach offers a framework for dissecting fractal phenomena in physiology and behavior.
