We will work on virtually any parasite or selfish genetic element (SGE) that we find interesting. We have had two main foci:
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED PATHOGENS AND PARASITES
STIs, as they are now known, are a well known plague of humans, but also affect other promiscuous species. Insects are no exception, and STI prevalence in ladybirds can reach very high levels at some points in the year. We are interested in the epidemiology of these infections in natural populations, and also in their effects upon the host. Interestingly, although we have looked, females do not appear able to choose males that will not give them an STI.
Collaborator: Prof. Valerie Isham, Statistical Science, UCL
THE EVOLUTIONARY IMPORTANCE AND POPULATION BIOLOGY OF MEIOTIC DRIVE
Meiotic drive, like male-killers, can produce a bias in the population sex ratio that has an effect on host ecology and evolution. Haig & Bergstrom also noted it may select for the evolution of promiscuity in hosts, in an attempt by females to reduce the probability of their progeny inheriting a driving element. In a project run by Dr Nina Wedell of Leeds, we are currently testing this hypotheses.
Collaborator: Dr Nina Wedell, Leeds.
Sponsor: NERC.
