Virus disrupts sex routines of roundworms

Description

Viruses influence the sex life of the roundworm C. elegans. Male roundworms of this non-parasitic nematode species are less sexually attracted to females infected with the Orsay virus. The virus also eventually leads to more male offspring and therefore an increase in mating behaviour. This has been shown in doctoral research by microbiologist Lisa van Sluijs, lecturer at the Laboratory of Nematology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). The insights from this research are also of interest for the future protection of plants against parasitic nematodes.