# Resolving coiled shapes reveals new reorientation behaviors in C. elegans

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1603.04023 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1603.04023/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 13 Mar 2016.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Discover governing differential equations from evolving systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.07863/) (2023)
- [Behavioural Classification in C. elegans: a Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Locomotion](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.00086/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We exploit the reduced space of C. elegans postures to develop a novel tracking algorithm which captures both simple shapes and also self-occluding coils, an important, yet unexplored, component of worm behavior. We apply our algorithm to show that visually complex, coiled sequences are a superposition of two simpler patterns: the body wave dynamics and a head-curvature pulse. We demonstrate the precise coiled dynamics of an escape response and uncover new behaviors in spontaneous, large amplitude coils; deep reorientations occur through classical Omega-shaped postures and also through larger, new postural excitations which we label here as delta-turns. We find that omega and delta turns occur independently, the serpentine analog of a random left-right step, suggesting a distinct triggering mechanism. We also show that omega and delta turns display approximately equal rates and adapt to food-free conditions on a similar timescale, a simple strategy to avoid navigational bias.