Nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) movement in sand as affected by particle size, moisture and the presence of bacteria (Escherichia coli)

I. M. Young, B. S. Griffiths, W. M. Robertson, J. W. McNicol

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The movement of bacterial-feeding nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) through sand was investigated using a range of sand sizes, equilibrated at a range of matric potentials, in the presence or absence of an attractant source (Escherichia coli) at the distal end of a column. In the presence of E. coli there was significantly greater movement of the nematode population towards the E. coli population, and the extent of the movement depended on the matric potential of the sand. Over time, an increasing proportion of the C. elegans population responded to the presence of the E. coli. The processes controlling these effects are discussed with respect to taxis and kinesis mechanisms of the nematode population, and with regard to the diffusive characteristics of the physical structure of the sand.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)237-241
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Soil Science
Volume49
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1998
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Generated from Scopus record by KAUST IRTS on 2023-02-15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Soil Science

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