I apologize for the variable quality of this recording. Part was switching between computers, part was me. Hopefully, I’ll get it all sorted out.
The article mentioned in the podcast, including pictures of the enchanting Caenorhabditis elegans, is “RNA Revolution” by Gary Taubes in the October 2009 edition of Discover Magazine.
For those who do not know what a worm hotel looks like, here is a picture of mine.
Granted it’s not very elegant, and it’s first floor is leaking (hence the plastic), but I had it for years. I put just about everything but meat and dairy products in a section mixed with shredded paper and the worms feed on the mold that grows. When there’s no room left on a floor, the worms move up to the next floor. For this picture, I moved the worms from the top floor out of the way so you can see the floor grid in each floor that enables them to do this.
The last picture is taken of the floor below that’s running out of room. When they’ve finished eating and move on, all that’s left are the brownish black castings or dropping that I used to fertilize my gardens or houseplants. At some times during this process if conditions are right, they’ll also reproduce.
All in all, quite amazing little creatures.
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The podcast was as elegant as the worm discoveries you discussed. Thank you!