title: Sampling and Isolation of C. elegans from the Natural Habitat.
abstract: Wild populations of the model organism C. elegans allow characterization of natural genetic variation underlying diverse phenotypic traits. 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/or mating tests. This protocol uses standard laboratory equipment and requires no prior knowledge of C. elegans biology.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Biologie Valrose, CNRS UMR7277, Parc Valrose, Nice, Cedex 02, 06108, France.|INSERM U1091, Nice, Cedex 02, 06108, France.|Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, UFR Sciences, Nice, Cedex 02, 06108, France.
authors.forename: Nausicaa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Poullet
authors.affiliation: Institut de Biologie Valrose, CNRS UMR7277, Parc Valrose, Nice, Cedex 02, 06108, France. braendle@unice.fr.|INSERM U1091, Nice, Cedex 02, 06108, France. braendle@unice.fr.|Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, UFR Sciences, Nice, Cedex 02, 06108, France. braendle@unice.fr.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braendle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D017753:Ecosystem; D014644:Genetic Variation
keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans; Ecology; Natural genetic variation; Natural habitat; Natural populations; Wild isolates