Inherent movement patterns of larval nematodes, with a stochastic model to simulate movement of infective hookworm larvae.

Abstract

Ancylostoma tubaeforme infective larvae have been tracked in agar and the dominant features of their tracks subjected to a numerical analysis. Very few of the features are uniformly random, most follow a well described normally random frequncy distribution. The mean size of an ‘are’ was 3·61 mm in radius and subtended an angle of 123° at the centre. The length of track per unit time declined with larval age and reversals were the main features to disrupt the pattern of tracks.