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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.10.13.759000

Freshwater Blackworms Solving a Maze

Adamatzky, A.
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Abstract

We investigated the behaviour of freshwater blackworms (\emph{Lumbriculus variegatus}) in a circular maze containing food in its central chamber. Analysis of 11 time-lapse recordings showed that all tested worms entered the central chamber, although first-arrival times and spatial exploration patterns varied substantially. Registered occupancy maps revealed non-uniform use of corridors and chambers. Because the study did not include a no-food control, the observations demonstrate central-chamber entry and spatial exploration but do not by themselves establish food localisation or chemotaxis. The assay provides a reproducible framework for studying annelid exploration and for future controlled comparisons of sensory cues and maze complexity.

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Adamatzky, A.. 2026-10-16. Freshwater Blackworms Solving a Maze. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.13.759000

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