James Russell
| Program: | Ph.D. |
| Major Professor: | Richard Stouthamer |
| E-Mail: | |
| Location: | 364 Ent |
| Phone (office): | (951) 827-2627 |
Education
- B.S. Southwest Texas State University 2001
Research Focus
I am currently focusing my research attention on genetic elements that distort sex ratios in the parasitic wasp genus Trichogramma. The cytoplasmically inherited bacteria Wolbachia and the supernumerary chromosome PSR are two such elements that have been found in populations of Trichogramma in the Mojave desert. I am interested in two aspects of the relationship between these sex ratio distorters and Trichogramma: (1) Does the infection frequencies of these genetic elements impact the genetic architecture of the populations in which they exist? (2) To what extent does a conflict of interest (genetic conflict) between Trichogramma and these parasitic genetic elements influence the spread of infection through populations. I also have an interest in parthenogenesis and cynipid wasps.