Observing the behavior of nematodes (Turbatix aceti.) and their parameters in various viscous materials

Vinegar eels (Turbatix aceti.) are a species of nematodes
that use the oscillations of their bodies for self-propulsion,
which allow them to travel through different liquids with
varying viscosities and textures. We perform experiments
studying the ability of the nematodes to propel themselves
inside viscous liquids and how the behaviors and
movements of the nematodes change with the physical
properties of the liquids. We first investigate the behavior of
a single nematode, measuring the velocity, the oscillation
frequency and amplitude as a function of the liquid
viscosity. We then investigate, the behavior of collection of
nematodes. We find that the nematodes are capable of
forming collectively oscillating filaments that propagate
inside the viscous fluids. This collective state is different
from the one observed for the same nematodes inside
water. We explore the properties of these filaments for
different viscous fluids