A Model of the Effect of Uncertainty on the C elegans L2/L2d Decision
Figure 2
Plotted in black is the value immediately after the L1 molt of an L2d that can choose between L3 and dauer, calculated with the Hybrid model described in Methods. Green and gray curves show the values of committed L2 and dauers at the same time, respectively. (The committed dauer is hypothetical—normal worms do not commit to dauer at the L1 molt.) Environment quality is measured by the value of an L3 larva. Black lines plot value for environments of different volatility, quantified as described in Methods by uncertainty, a number related to the factor by which environment quality will typically change during L2d development. The two heavy black lines show value when the future environment is completely predictable (uncertainty = 0) or completely unpredictable (uncertainty = ∞). Thinner black lines plot value against quality for intermediate levels of uncertainty 0.5 and 2.