Fluid circulation driven by collectively organized metachronal waves in swimming T. aceiti nematodes

TL;DR

This study investigates how collective metachronal waves in swimming T. aceti nematodes generate fluid circulation, combining experiments and a hydrodynamics model to understand flow mechanisms and potential applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces a quasi two-dimensional hydrodynamics model linking nematode tail movements to fluid circulation, highlighting the role of large amplitude tail excursions.

Findings

Circulation velocity reaches about 2 mm/s, nearly half the wave speed.

Large amplitude tail movements are key to driving fluid flow.

Container constraints influence the efficiency of fluid circulation.

Abstract

Recent experiments have shown that the nematode {\it T. aceti} can assemble into collectively undulating groups at the edge of fluid drops. This coordinated state consists of metachronal waves and drives fluid circulation inside the drop. We find that the circulation velocity is about 2 mm/s and nearly half the speed of the metachronal wave. We develop a quasi two-dimensional hydrodynamics model using the Stokes flow approximation. The periodic motion of the nematodes constitute our moving boundary condition that drives the flow. Our model suggests that large amplitude excursions of the nematodes tails produce the fluid circulation. We discuss the constraints on containers that would enhance fluid motion, which could be used in the future design of on demand flow generating systems.