Robotic biomimicry demonstrates behavioral control of planktonic dispersal in the sea

Plankton are widely considered to be at the mercy of ocean currents, even after decades research revealing that plankton regulate dispersal by positioning themselves in surface and bottom currents flowing different directions. The degree effectiveness these behaviors remains controversial, because tiny plankters cannot tracked sea. Here, we experimentally tested 3 vertical nature developing a biomimetic robot emulates them. We conducted challenging test deploying them complex circulation during strong upwelling winds wind relaxation reversal events. Behavior alone dramatically affected transport. Transport trajectories robots with diverged markedly while those sharing same behavior were very similar. Moreover, all produced matched previously modeled projections both conditions study site: shallow disperse far, deep move little, migrating from depth day night travel an intermediate distance. ability weakly swimming control their fate replenish populations dynamic is central importance ecology evolution marine life management resources changing climate.