and mechanosensors are involved in mating behavior in .

Male mating in is a complex behavior with a strong mechanosensory component. has several characterized mechanotransducer proteins, but few have been shown to contribute to mating. Here, we investigated the roles of , a piezo channel, and , a mechanotransducing TRPN channel, in male mating behavior.

Coordination of opposing sex-specific and core muscle groups regulates male tail posture during Caenorhabditis elegans male mating behavior.

Background: To survive and reproduce, animals must be able to modify their motor behavior in response to changes in the environment. We studied a complex behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans, male mating behavior, which provided a model for understanding motor behaviors at the genetic, molecular as well as circuit level. C.

Initiation of male sperm-transfer behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans requires input from the ventral nerve cord.

Background: The Caenorhabditis elegans male exhibits a stereotypic behavioral pattern when attempting to mate. This behavior has been divided into the following steps: response, backing, turning, vulva location, spicule insertion, and sperm transfer. We and others have begun in-depth analyses of all these steps in order to understand how complex behaviors are generated.

Sensory processing by neural circuits in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The anatomical and developmental constancy of Caenorhabditis elegans belies the complexity of its numerically small nervous system. Indeed, there is an increased appreciation of C. elegans as an organism to study systems level questions.