Story Summary:…New research at The Rockefeller University has dissected the social proclivities of a model worm, identifying a single type of neuron RMG that decides whether these worms will mingle with their fellows or keep to themselves….Pheromones are known to bring creatures together in many species, from insects such as ants and moths to mammals including prairie voles and possibly even people….However, in social worms, RMG amplifies the signal from pheromone-sensitive ASK neurons, driving the worms toward each other and increasing sociability….The activity of one receptor gene in the worms brain determines whether hermaphrodite worms will be relatively social, congregating at a moments notice, or relatively solitary….Read the Full Story

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