Progress in plasmodial differentiation improves regularity of oscillating contractions in Physarum polycephalum

We interpret the verification of our hypothesis as an indication that the very regular oscillating contractions in fully differentiated stages of Physarum require the complex structure of the sophisticated contractile apparatus, represented by the circular plasmalemma invagination system of protoplasmic strands, while the regularity is lower in stages, where the differentiation is still in progress. We believe that this is due to deficits in coordination capabilities, which need a directional and spatially oriented protoplasmic streaming as a precondition.