Caenorhabditis
Encyclopedia
Caenorhabditis is a genus of nematode
s which live in bacteria-rich environments like compost piles and decaying dead animals. It contains the noted model organism
Caenorhabditis elegans
and several other species for which a genome sequence is either available or currently being determined. The two most-studied species in this genus (C. elegans and C. briggsae) are both hermaphrodites whereas all other species are gonochoristic (they have male and female sexes).
s, insect
s, isopods, and gastropods. Some species also appear to be associated with vertebrates including zebu cattle, although the nature of this association is not clear. The species can be classified as phoretic or necromenic based on their relationship to their invertebrate host. A phoretic worm rides on the host until it finds a favorable environment, and then leaves. A necromenic worm waits for the host to die, and lives on the bacteria which thrive in the dead animal. Many species are capable of both phoretic and necromenic lifestyles.
Nematode
The nematodes or roundworms are the most diverse phylum of pseudocoelomates, and one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described, of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode...
s which live in bacteria-rich environments like compost piles and decaying dead animals. It contains the noted model organism
Model organism
A model organism is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the organism model will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. Model organisms are in vivo models and are widely used to...
Caenorhabditis elegans
Caenorhabditis elegans
Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living, transparent nematode , about 1 mm in length, which lives in temperate soil environments. Research into the molecular and developmental biology of C. elegans was begun in 1974 by Sydney Brenner and it has since been used extensively as a model...
and several other species for which a genome sequence is either available or currently being determined. The two most-studied species in this genus (C. elegans and C. briggsae) are both hermaphrodites whereas all other species are gonochoristic (they have male and female sexes).
Ecology
Caenorhabditis occupy various nutrient and bacteria rich environments. They do not form self-sustaining populations in soil, as it lacks enough organic matter. Juvenile worms (dauer larvae) can be transported by invertebrates including millipedeMillipede
Millipedes are arthropods that have two pairs of legs per segment . Each segment that has two pairs of legs is a result of two single segments fused together as one...
s, insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s, isopods, and gastropods. Some species also appear to be associated with vertebrates including zebu cattle, although the nature of this association is not clear. The species can be classified as phoretic or necromenic based on their relationship to their invertebrate host. A phoretic worm rides on the host until it finds a favorable environment, and then leaves. A necromenic worm waits for the host to die, and lives on the bacteria which thrive in the dead animal. Many species are capable of both phoretic and necromenic lifestyles.
Species
Known species in this genus include:- Caenorhabditis elegansCaenorhabditis elegansCaenorhabditis elegans is a free-living, transparent nematode , about 1 mm in length, which lives in temperate soil environments. Research into the molecular and developmental biology of C. elegans was begun in 1974 by Sydney Brenner and it has since been used extensively as a model...
- genome sequenced in 1998 - Caenorhabditis briggsaeCaenorhabditis briggsaeCaenorhabditis briggsae is a small nematode, closely related to Caenorhabditis elegans. The differences between the two species are subtle. The male tail in C. briggsae has a slightly different morphology than C. elegans. Other differences include changes in vulval precursor competence and the...
- genome sequence finished 2003 - Caenorhabditis remaneiCaenorhabditis remaneiCaenorhabditis remanei is a species of nematode that has been found in North America and Europe, and likely lives throughout the temperate world. Several strains have been developed in the laboratory. -Habitat:...
- genome sequenced by WashU GSC
- Caenorhabditis brenneriCaenorhabditis brenneriCaenorhabditis brenneri is a small nematode, closely related to the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans and to other species in the same genus. Its genome is being sequenced by Washington University in St. Louis Genome Sequencing Center . This species has previously been referred to as C. sp 4...
(formerly referred to as C. sp 4 and Caenorhabditis sp. CB5161) - genome sequenced by WashU GSC - Caenorhabditis japonica - genome being sequenced by WashU GSC
- Caenorhabditis sp. 3 PS1010 - genome sequenced at the California Institute of Technology in 2010 .
- Caenorhabditis drosophilae
- Caenorhabditis sp. SB341