2011/05/25 by Andrew Adamatzky, Adamatzky, Andrew, Selim G. Akl +1
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Engineering · #Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology #Emerging Technologies (cs.ET) #FOS: Biological sciences #FOS: Computer and information sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #Other Quantitative Biology (q-bio.OT) #Pattern Formation and Solitons (nlin.PS) #Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph) #Protist diversity and phylogeny #Slime Mold and Myxomycetes Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1105.5084
openalex publication_date 2011/05/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Slime mould Physarum polycephalum builds up sophisticated networks to transport nutrients between distant part of its extended body. The slime mould's protoplasmic network is optimised for maximum coverage of nutrients yet minimum energy spent on transportation of the intra-cellular material. In laboratory experiments with P. polycephalum we represent Canadian major urban areas with rolled oats and inoculated slime mould in the Toronto area. The plasmodium spans the urban areas with its network of protoplasmic tubes. We uncover similarities and differences between the protoplasmic network and the Canadian national highway network, analyse the networks in terms of proximity graphs and evaluate slime mould's network response to contamination.