Table 1 Sub-stages of L4
From: Morphologically defined sub-stages of C. elegans vulval development in the fourth larval stage
Sub-stage | Description | Approximate time from middle of the L3-to-L4 lethargus | n* |
|---|---|---|---|
L4.0 | vulA, vulB and vulE have divided, but vulC and vulF have not. | 0.3 | 11 |
L4.1 | vulC and vulF have divided and a narrow lumen has formed. | 1.1 | 13 |
L4.2 | Lumen has widened and a prominent kink has formed between vulC and vulD. | 2.8 | 31 |
L4.3 | vulFs have separated and the apex of the lumen is flat and capped by the anchor cell. | 4.1 | 21 |
L4.4 | utse is visible as a thin layer separating the vulval and uterine lumens. “Fingers” are formed at the sides of the vulva next to vulB1 and vulB2. | 5.0 | 26 |
L4.5 | Side of the vulval lumen between vulC and vulD forms a smooth curve. | 6.4 | 45 |
L4.6 | “Fingers” between vulB2 and vulC are pointed ventrally. | 7.5 | 23 |
L4.7 | vulFs have migrated closer such that the lumen is narrowed in the dorsal section. The approximate cutoff is when the width of the channel is less than the width of the vulD nucleus. | 8.3 | 9 |
L4.8 | Lumen is partially collapsed. | 8.5 | 4 |
L4.9 | Lumen is completely collapsed. | 8.8 | 5 |
Adult | 9.7 | 9 |