Worm numbers

This page is intended to become a collection ground for useful and interesting numbers about C. elegans biology. These numbers include things such as the average volume and mass (calculated estimates) of an adult hermaphrodite, larval stage, or embryo. Some of these numbers are well established facts whereas others are estimations, with a description of the method for calculating or estimating provided.

Worm Volume

Based on these images from Worm Atlas (www.wormatlas.org):

Single embryo = ~35 picoliters

Single L1 larva = ~80 picoliters

Single L2 larva = ~135 picoliters

Single L3 larva = ~300 picoliters

Single L4 larva = ~800 picoliters

Single Adult hermaphrodite = ~2.2 nanoliters

Worm Mass

Assuming the worm has a density close to that of water (1 gram per milliliter) these are estimates of mass:

Single Embryo = ~35 nanograms

Single L1 larva = ~80 nanograms

Single L2 larva = ~135 nanograms

Single L3 larva = ~300 nanograms

Single L4 larva = ~800 nanograms

Single Adult hermaphrodite = ~2.2 micrograms