Other Research Interests

 
 

Other areas of interest include the evolution of sex ratios, biological control and population genetics. Sex ratio research focuses on theoretical studies of sex ratio evolution and empirical investigations using parasitoid wasps. Parasitoids are well suited for investigations of sex ratio evolution because haplodiploid sex determination provides them with potential control over the sex of their offspring. My interest in biological control concerns the population consequences of haplodiploid sex determination, use of parasitoids in biological control, genetic manipulation of biological control agents, and use of microorganisms for biological control. Population genetic interests include studies of mutational load, coevolutionary interactions among non-mendelian elements and the consequences of hierarchical selection levels (e.g. gene, individual, group and species level selection).

Selected Publications

Sex Ratio Evolution

Werren, J.H. 1980. Sex ratio adaptations to local mate competition in a parasitic wasp. Science 208:1157-1160.

Werren, J.H. (1983) Sex ratio evolution under local mate competition in a parasitic wasp. Evolution 37(1);116-124.

Werren, J.H. and P.D. Taylor (1984) The effect of population recruitment upon sex ratio selection. American Naturalist 124(1):143-148.

Werren, J.H. (1984) A model for sex ratio selection in parasitic wasps: Local mate competition and host quality effects. Neth. J. Zool. 34(1):81-96.

Werren, J.H. (1987) Labile sex ratios in wasps and bees. Bioscience 37:498-506.

Werren, J.H. and P. Simbolotti. (1989) Combined effects of host size and local mate competition on sex ratio evolution in Lariophagus distinguendus. Evolutionary Ecology 3:203-213.

Godfray, H.C.J. and J.H. Werren (1996) Recent developments in sex ratio studies. Trends in Ecology and Evolution (In press).

Werren, J.H. and H.C. Godfray. Sex Ratio. Ency of Env Biol (In Press).

Biological Control

Raupp, M., J.H. Werren and C. Sadoff (1988) Effects of short term phenological changes in leaf suitability on the survivorship, growth, and development of gypsy moth larvae. Env. Entomol. 17:316-319.

Werren, J.H., M. Raupp, T. O'Dell and C. Sadoff (1992) Host plants utilized by Gypsy Moths affect survival and development of the parasitoid Cotesia melanoscela. Env. Entomol. 21:173-177.

Stouthamer, R., R. F. Luck and J. H. Werren (1992) Genetics of sex determination and improvement of biological control using parasitoids. Env. Entomol. 21(3):427-435.

Population Genetics

Werren, J.H. (1993) The evolution of inbreeding in haplodiploid organisms. In, The Natural History of Inbreeding and Outbreeding: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives. ed. N. Thornhill. Univ. Chicago Press.

Werren, J.H. (1987) The coevolution of autosomal and cytoplasmic sex ratio factors. J. Theor. Biol. 124:317-334.

U of R Biology

Last modified: August 29, 2000