Generalized receptor law governs phototaxis in the Phytoplankton Euglena gracilis

摘要: Phototaxis, the process through which motile organisms direct their swimming toward or away from light, is implicated in key ecological phenomena (including algal blooms and diel vertical migration) that shape distribution, diversity, productivity of phytoplankton thus energy transfer to higher trophic levels aquatic ecosystems. Phototaxis also finds important applications biofuel reactors microbiopropellers argued serve as a benchmark for study biological invasions heterogeneous environments owing ease generating stochastic light fields. Despite its technological relevance, an experimentally tested, general theoretical model phototaxis seems unavailable date. Here, we present accurate measurements behavior alga Euglena gracilis when exposed controlled Analysis E. gracilis’ phototactic accumulation dynamics over broad range intensities proves classic Keller–Segel mathematical framework taxis provides description both positive negative only sensitivity modeled by generalized “receptor law,” specific nonlinear response function intensity drives algae beneficial conditions harmful ones. The proposed captures temporal cells’ sources dispersion upon cessation. could be use integrating models migrations marine freshwater ecosystems, design bioreactors.