Nictation behavior in nematodes

Nictation is a host-finding strategy in several nematodes species, including the model organism for research Caenorhabditis elegans where it is used for dispersal, and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), where they try to infect the host. EPNs are tiny round worms that kill insects in a matter of days and thus are being researched and used as effective biological control agents in agriculture. However, the characteristics of nictation behavior in nematodes remain elusive. This thesis aims to investigate nictation behavior in C. elegans and EPNs via semi-automated quantitative behavioral assays using artificial intelligence. In addition, the genetic elements that regulate nictation will be identified using genome-wide association studies (GWAS).