ets-10p::gfp expression is predictive of dauer formation in daf-16; daf-7 larvae

In adverse conditions, Caenorhabditis elegans larvae can enter the alternative L2d stage. If conditions remain poor, L2d larvae can molt into stress-resistant dauer larvae. The FOXO ortholog daf-16 promotes dauer formation, but daf-16 mutants can enter dauer with incomplete penetrance in combination with a mutation in daf-7 /TGFβ. The degree to which daf-16 ; daf-7 larvae enter L2d is unknown. Here we show that many daf-16 ; daf-7 mutants express intermediate levels of the ets-10p::gfp L2d marker, suggesting incomplete entry into L2d. Furthermore, lack of ets-10p::gfp expression early in the second larval stage partially predicts which daf-16 ; daf-7 larvae will bypass dauer formation.