iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Ben Larson @blarson.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

We found that this Euplotes isolate was in fact a previously undescribed species, displaying a highly polymorphic phenotype, including supergiant cannibals and also winged, "defensive" morphs, captured by SEM by Sam Lord. We named the species "gigatrox" in reference to the fierce supergiants. 4/n

Scanning electron microscopy images of different morphs of Euplotes gigatrox

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Ben Larson @blarson.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Supergiants are not only morphologically distinct but are also behaviorally distinct. In addition to their obvious raptorial feeding behavior, which contrasts with the standard filter feeding of normal morphs, supergiants display altered motility patterns, including feeble swimming performance. 5/n

A figure depicting differences in movement patterns of normal morphs and supergiants, with supergiants displaying curling walking trajectories and compact, tumbling swimming patterns compared to the extended, helical swimming patterns of normal morphs

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Ben Larson @blarson.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Naturally, we were curious about when and how supergiants form. This was tricky to figure out. Mahara Mtawali, Vittorio Boscaro, and I tried many conditions before finally finding that supergiants form stochastically following a phase of rapid growth just as small prey items begin to dwindle. 6/n

Plots depicting the emergence of supergiants, never constituting more than about 4% of the population, corresponding to stationary growth phase of the entire cell population and only occurring under moderate nutrient conditions.

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