Isolating Caenorhabditis elegans from the Natural Habitat

Abstract

Wild populations of the model organism C. elegans represent a valuable resource, allowing for genetic characterization underlying natural phenotypic variation. Here we provide a simple protocol on how to sample and rapidly identify C. elegans wild isolates. We outline how to find suitable habitats and organic substrates, followed by describing isolation and identification of C. elegans live cultures based on easily recognizable morphological characteristics, molecular barcodes, and mating tests. This protocol uses standard laboratory equipment and requires little prior knowledge of C. elegans biology.

Keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans; Ecology; Natural genetic variation; Natural habitat; Natural populations; Wild isolates.