Tracking Cell Movement in Two-Dimensional, FragmentedMicrocosms Reveals Dispersal Syndromes and Strategies inTetrahymena thermophila
(2026) Ecology and Evolution — Vol. 16, n° 2, p. 1-18 (2026)
Files
EcologyandEvolution-2026-Manzi-TrackingCellMovementinTwoDimensionalFragmentedMicrocosmsRevealsDispersal.pdf
Open Access - Adobe PDF
- 4.3 MB
Details
- Authors
Manzi, Florent 
Jacob, Staffan
- Abstract
- A major challenge in dispersal ecology consists of testing whether distinct sets of phenotypic traits are associated with the threemain phases of dispersal, requiring direct observations of disperser movements during emigration, transience, and immigration.Although freshwater ciliates have been used as a model in artificial dispersal landscapes for over 15 years, most studies wouldrelate dispersal propensity to phenotypic traits measured at the end of dispersal assays. Using ‘two-dimensional’ fragmentedmicrocosms, abundance, movement and morphology data of Tetrahymena thermophila were collected at numerous time pointsthroughout 6.5 h-long dispersal assays. Data were compared across distinct zones (‘Start’ and ‘Target’ patches, connected by a‘Corridor’) to identify shifts in the mean value and distribution of dispersal-related traits. Inference on the existence of dispersaldecisions was obtained by comparing these results to similar outputs generated by a ‘null’ movement model (without decisionrules). Five genotypes were used, among which two strategies were identified: swimming speed and linearity either increased(‘hump’) or decreased (‘slope’) during transience, while both traits generally decreased at immigration. Doubling the lengthof corridors (10 mm vs. 20 mm) modified dispersal timing, but did not affect emigration rates. Simulated data predicted a shifttowards increased velocity at immigration; however, the opposite was found in most strains, suggesting a plastic inducement oftypical foraging movements after settling in the ‘Target’ patch. Since a ‘snapshot’ approach was used (capturing sparse movementsequences throughout the dispersal process instead of prolonged tracking), phenotypic plasticity could not be confirmed withcertainty; however, the hypothesis of strict spatial sorting was insufficient to explain movement patterns. Overall, our resultshint at the plastic and reversible nature of dispersal syndromes displayed by T. thermophila across fragmented landscapes, whichbears significance in the context of habitat loss and the maintenance of metapopulation stability.
- Affiliations
Citations
Manzi, F., Brans, V., Dacek, M., Jacob, S., & Schtickzelle, N. (2026). Tracking Cell Movement in Two-Dimensional, FragmentedMicrocosms Reveals Dispersal Syndromes and Strategies inTetrahymena thermophila. Ecology and Evolution, 16(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73092 (Original work published 2026)