Caenorhabditis inopinata shows reduced attraction and increased head-swinging compared with C. elegans in plate chemotaxis

TL;DR

This study compares the chemotactic behaviors of two nematode species, finding differences in odor preference and movement patterns linked to their ecological niches.

Contribution

The study reveals novel differences in chemotactic behavior and locomotion between C. elegans and C. inopinata.

Findings

C. elegans showed strong attraction to all six odorants tested, while C. inopinata responded to only three.

C. inopinata exhibited slower movement and more head-swinging compared to C. elegans.

C. inopinata rarely performed pirouette-like turns, indicating divergent locomotory strategies.

Abstract

Chemoreception underpins essential animal behaviors.

Caenorhabditis inopinata

, a close relative of

C. elegans

that inhabits fig syconia, provides an opportunity to test how microhabitat shapes odor preference. Using two-point chemotaxis assays, we compared these species across six volatile odorants.

C. elegans

showed strong attraction to all odorants, whereas

C. inopinata

responded only to 2,4,5-trimethylthiazole, 2-butanone, and diacetyl. In addition,

C. inopinata

moved more slowly under both odorant and non-odorant conditions, displayed frequent head-swinging, and rarely executed pirouette-like turns. These findings indicate divergence in odor preference and locomotory behavior, suggesting differences in chemotactic navigation associated with distinct ecological contexts.

Figures