Dauer Hallmarks

Hello All,

Im running a dauer assay this week on some strains and have been reading that the best way to distinguish dauer for quantification is by its alae.
So my question is: is that what I should check for is L2/L3 gonad with strong alae?
Also can you be half dauer? Is so how is that defined?
Are there any other markers I can see at the light level?
What is the best way to quantify this?

Thanks in advance
April Reedy