What is kinesis in animal movement?

Kinesis refers to a type of movement in animals that is characterized by random and non-directional activity, often in response to stimuli. This movement does not follow a specific path or direction but rather increases or decreases based on changes in the environment, such as temperature or light. For instance, when the temperature increases, some organisms may move more vigorously or erratically, which is a demonstration of kinesis.

Understanding kinesis is important as it illustrates how organisms interact with their environment through movement that is not goal-directed but rather influenced by external factors. This contrasts with other types of movement such as taxis, which involves directional movement towards or away from a stimulus, or coordinated group movement, which describes behaviors seen in social animals.