Lively lab
Research
Broadly, I am
motivated by
understanding how variable and conflicting selective demands shape the
evolution of organisms. The traits that interest me most are traits
that are involved in trade-offs. For example, why would an organism
attack a competitor, even if it meant certain death? How harmful should
a parasite be to its hosts? When should a mother produce fewer
offspring? My approach is to test theoretical predictions, either by
manipulating the environment experimentally or comparing populations
that differ in the field.
Currently, I am focusing on how different selective pressures within and among hosts shape the evolution of parasite virulence and host exploitation. The rate at which parasites exploit their hosts (and consequently the detrimental effects a parasite has on its host) is predicted to evolve when multiple, unrelated parasites infect a host compared to when hosts are infected singly or by genetically related parasites. Interestingly, the direction of this evolutionary change depends on whether the parasites interact directly within the host. If parasites compete exploitatively, then unrelated co-infections lead to greater exploitation and virulence, while if parasites cooperate or engage in interference competition, then the opposite may occur. In collaboration with Curt Lively, Fabienne Vigneux, and several outstanding undergrads, we have begun evaluating these ideas using the insect parasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (which is thought to compete exploitatively within a host), and its symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus nematophila (which is thought to actively fight within the host).
In previous work, I examined the selective mechanisms causing local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in offspring size of the Trinidadian guppy.
Currently, I am focusing on how different selective pressures within and among hosts shape the evolution of parasite virulence and host exploitation. The rate at which parasites exploit their hosts (and consequently the detrimental effects a parasite has on its host) is predicted to evolve when multiple, unrelated parasites infect a host compared to when hosts are infected singly or by genetically related parasites. Interestingly, the direction of this evolutionary change depends on whether the parasites interact directly within the host. If parasites compete exploitatively, then unrelated co-infections lead to greater exploitation and virulence, while if parasites cooperate or engage in interference competition, then the opposite may occur. In collaboration with Curt Lively, Fabienne Vigneux, and several outstanding undergrads, we have begun evaluating these ideas using the insect parasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (which is thought to compete exploitatively within a host), and its symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus nematophila (which is thought to actively fight within the host).
In previous work, I examined the selective mechanisms causing local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in offspring size of the Trinidadian guppy.
Publications
Bashey, F. (2006) Cross-generational environmental effects and the evolution of offspring size in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Evolution 60:348-361.
Bashey, F. (2004) A comparison of the suitability of alizarin red S and calcein for inducing a nonlethally detectable mark in juvenile guppies. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:1516-1523.
Reznick, D., M. J. Bryant, and Bashey, F. (2002) r- and K-selection revisited: The role of population regulation in life-history evolution. Ecology 83:1509-1520
Teaching
S318 - Biology Honors Evolution
Bashey, F. (2006) Cross-generational environmental effects and the evolution of offspring size in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Evolution 60:348-361.
Bashey, F. (2004) A comparison of the suitability of alizarin red S and calcein for inducing a nonlethally detectable mark in juvenile guppies. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:1516-1523.
Reznick, D., M. J. Bryant, and Bashey, F. (2002) r- and K-selection revisited: The role of population regulation in life-history evolution. Ecology 83:1509-1520
Teaching
S318 - Biology Honors Evolution
Farrah
Bashey-Visser
Postdoctoral fellow
fbasheyv at indiana.edu
Postdoctoral fellow
fbasheyv at indiana.edu
Education
PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Riverside 2002
MA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1992
BA in Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1991
PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Riverside 2002
MA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1992
BA in Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1991
Study
system
The entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae,
and its symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus nematophila
The entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae,
and its symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus nematophila
Department of Biology
1001 East Third St
Bloomington, IN 47405-3700
USA