Novel image-analytic approach reveals new insights in fine tuning of slime mould network adaptation

This study introduces a novel methodology to explore the network dynamics
of Physarum polycephalum, an organism celebrated for its remarkable
adaptive capabilities. We used two innovative techniques to analyse its
growth behaviour and network modifications under stress conditions,
including starvation and differential epinephrine exposures. The first
method provided a quantitative assessment of growth and exploration over
time. The second method provided a detailed examination of vein diameter
and contraction patterns, illuminating the physiological adjustments P.
polycephalum undergoes in response to environmental challenges. By
integrating these approaches, we were able to estimate the total network
volume of the organism, with a focus on the normalised estimated volume,
unveiling insightful aspects of its structural adaptations. While
starvation reduced the volume, indicating a significant structural
compromise, low and high epinephrine concentrations maintained a
volume-to-area ratio comparable to the control. Determining the fractal
dimension of the networks over time revealed a fine-tuning of the network
complexity in response to environmental conditions, with significant
reductions under stress indicating a constrained network adaptation
strategy. These methods, novel in their application to P. polycephalum,
provide a framework for future studies and a basis for exploring complex
network behaviours with potential applications in bioengineering and
adaptive network design.