Doctoral Student
CARA GIBSON
Advisor:
Molly HunterContact Info:
Marley 611
(520)626-4094
cgibson@ag.arizona.edu
Research and Interests:
Insect-associated microbes can profoundly influence the ecology and evolution of their hosts. The best-characterized associations are those involving bacteria as either obligate symbionts that provide nutritional benefits to their hosts, or as facultative symbionts that manipulate host reproduction. Fungi, like bacteria, are also frequently associated with insects, yet comparatively little work has been done to explore these relationships. My research focuses on insect-fungal symbioses of insect pests and their natural enemies. Currently, I am focused on understanding the ecological role of a fungal symbiont in its host – a parasitic encyrtid wasp that attacks cockroaches.
Publications:
- Gibson, CM, and MS Hunter. 2005. Reconsideration of the role of yeast associated with Chrysoperla green lacewings. Biological Control. 32(1): 57-64
- Suh, S-O, CM Gibson, and M Blackwell. 2004. Metschnikowia chrysoperlae sp. nov., Candida picachoensis sp. nov. and Candida pimensis sp. nov., isolated from the green lacewings Chrysoperla comanche and Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 54: 1883-1890.
- Darling, DC, and CM Gibson. 2000. Life and Death on the Leslie Street Spit, Among the goldenrods, a macabre tale of parasitoid life unfolds. Rotunda 32(3): 24-29.
- Gibson, CM. 1999. Distributions of three goldenrod gall-makers and their associated predators and parasitoids at the Leslie St. Spit. Ontario Insects 5(1): 20. (Abstract only)
Illustrations:
- Price, C.A. and B.J. Enquist. 2006. Scaling of mass and morphology in plants with minimal branching: an extension of the WBE model. Functional Ecology. 20:11-20. (Figure 1).
- Marques, F.P.L. and D.R. Brooks. 2003. Taxonomic revision of Rhinebothroides (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea: Phyllobothriidae), parasites of Neotropical freshwater stingrays (Rajiformes: Myliobatoidei: Potamotrygonidae). Journal of Parasitology. 89(5): 994-1017. (Figures 1 A,B; 5 A; 8 A,B,C; 11A).
- Currie, C.R. 2001. A community of ants, fungi, and bacteria: A multilateral approach to studying symbiosis. Annual Review of Microbiology. 55: 357-380. (Figure 3).
