DOI: 10.5061/dryad.9j850
title: Data from: Travelling at a slug's pace: possible invertebrate vectors of Caenorhabditis nematodes

description: Background: How do very small animals with limited long-distance dispersal
 abilities move between locations, especially if they prefer ephemeral
 micro-habitats that are only available for short periods of time? The
 free-living model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and several congeneric
 taxa appear to be common in such short-lived environments, for example
 decomposing fruits or other rotting plant material. Dispersal is usually
 assumed to depend on animal vectors, yet all current data is based on only
 a limited number of studies. In our project we performed three
 comprehensive field surveys on possible invertebrate vectors in North
 German locations containing populations of C. elegans and two related
 species, especially C. remanei, and combined these screens with an
 experimental analysis of persistence in one of the vector taxa. Results:
 Our field survey revealed that Caenorhabditis nematodes are commonly found
 in slugs, isopods, and chilopods, but are not present in the remaining
 taxonomic groups examined. Surprisingly, the nematodes were frequently
 isolated from the intestines of slugs, even if slugs were not collected in
 close association with suitable substrates for Caenorhabditis
 proliferation. This suggests that the nematodes are able to enter the slug
 intestines and persist for certain periods of time. Our experimental
 analysis confirmed the ability of C. elegans to invade slug intestines and
 subsequently be excreted alive with the slug feces, although only for
 short time periods under laboratory conditions. Conclusions: We conclude
 that three invertebrate taxonomic groups represent potential vectors of
 Caenorhabditis nematodes. The nematodes appear to have evolved specific
 adaptations to enter and persist in the harsh environment of slug
 intestines, possibly indicating first steps towards a parasitic
 life-style.
description: C. elegans slug invasion
 experimentExperimental analysis of
 the model nematode C. elegans to invade and persist slug intestines.
 Field-collected slugs of the genus Arion were exposed to red fluorescent
 nematodes to find out whether C. elegans can be taken up by the slugs and
 then survive the slug's intestines. The table shows the original
 data, including the week of the slug experiment; the day after exposure
 when the slug was analysed; the part of the slug, which was checked
 (either intestine or the remainder of the body); the developmental stage
 of the nematode found in or on the slug; the worm count category (0=0
 worms; 1=1-10; 2=11-30; 3=31-50; 4&gt;50) for either the red fluorescent
 C. elegans (labelled IS274), non-red-fluorescent Caenorhabditis worms, and
 also other nematodes.Petersen_etal_2015_slugexperiment1.xlsxC. elegans-slug feces experimentExperimental analysis of the ability of the model nematode to survive the passage of Arion slugs and be excreted with the slug feces. Single slugs of the genus Arion (first column of table) were exposed to red fluorescent C. elegans (labelled IS274). After defined hours of initial exposure (second column of table), the feces of the slugs were collected (third column of table) and inspected for the presence of the red fluorescent nematodes. The table shows the worm count categories, ranging from 0 (=0 worms), 1 (=1-10 worms), 2 (=11-30 worms), 3 (=31-50 worms), to 4 (&gt;50 worms).Petersen_etal_2015_slugexperiment2_wormsinfaeces.xlsx