Regulates the formation or stabilization of cell-cell contacts at several stages of epithelial morphogenesis. In early embryonic development, involved in ventral closure of the epidermis. During male tail morphogenesis, regulates precursor cell sorting together with mab-20 and allows the formation of distinct sensory rays. Probably acts as a ligand for lad-2 to regulate axon guidance of several neurons including SDQL, SDQR, SMD and PLN neurons during neurogenesis. May undergo proteolysis by metalloprotease sup-17 to give rise to a soluble form. In contrast to other ephrins, does not seem to signal through the vab-1 receptor. Belongs to the ephrin family.