Effect of Bacteria On Dispersal of Caenorhabditis Elegans (Rhabditidae)

Abstract

The dispersal and behaviour of Caenorhabditis elegans in the presence of various species of bacteria were studied on agar plates. Several species proved attractive to the nematode, the proximity of colonies of living bacteria increasing the rate of dispersal of the nematodes, which on contact tended to remain within the colonies feeding on the bacteria. Other species showed little attraction, or proved repellent. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. aeruginosa were attractive as well as supporting the growth and reproduction of the nematode. Dead bacteria were unattractive. Bacillus megatherium repelled C. elegans.