E-mail:
rankin@mail.utexas.edu
Office:
PAT 421
(512) 471-1003
Fax (512) 471-3878
Lab:
PAT 420
(512) 471-6905
Dean's Office:
WCH 3.104
(512) 471-3285
Fax (512) 471-4998 |
Education
- B.S., Biology and Chemistry, Louisiana State University, 1966
- Ph.D., Physiology and Behavior of Insects, University of Iowa, 1972
- Postdoc, Harvard University, 1972-1974
Research Interests
Research in Dr. Rankin's laboratory focuses on the physiological basis of insect behavior and life history characteristics. Recent research projects include 1) analyses of the hormonal, environmental and genetic factors controlling migratory behavior and reproductive development in several species of migratory insects; 2) investigation of the hormonal basis of wing polymorphism in insects and 3) analysis of various aspects of circadian rhythms in honybees, especially as they relate to foraging activity. At present the focus is on the physiological and environmental control of migration and diapause in the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis and an analysis of the reproductive and physiological costs of migration in the grasshopper Melanoplus sanquinipes. In the latter project the physiological link between migration and a rapid onset of reproduction that significantly reduces the reproductive cost of migration in some highly migratory populations of this species is being explored.
More information - see a longer summary (with pictures) of research done in Dr. Rankin's lab.
Instruction
Prospective graduate students can request information.
Publications
- Higgins, L. and Rankin, M.A. (1996) The consequences of different pathways in arthropod postembryonic development. Evolution 50:573-582.
- Kent, J.W., Teng, Y.M., Deshpande, D. and Rankin, M.A. (1997) Mobilization of lipid and carbohydrate researves in the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes. Physiological Entomology 22:261-268.
- Taub-Montemayor, T.E. and Rankin, M.A. (1997) Regulation of vitellogenin synthesis and uptake in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis. Physiological Entomology 22:269-276.
- Taub-Montemayor, T.E., Dahm, K.H., Bhaskaran, G. and Rankin, M.A. (1997) Rates of juvenile hormone biosynthesis and degradation during reproductive development and diapuse in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 35:455-477.
- Taub-Montemayor, T.E., Linse, K.D. and Rankin, M.A. (1997) Isolation and characterization of Melanoplus sanguinipes adipokeinetic hormone: a new member of the AKH/RPCH family. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 239:763-768.
- Higgins, L.E. and Rankin, M.A. (1999) Nutritional requirements for web synthesis in the tetragnathid spider Nephila clavipes. Physiological Entomology 24:263-270.
- Kent, J.W. and Rankin, M.A. (1999) Endocrinology of insect migration. In: Progress in Developmental Endocrinology. A. Dorne, ed. (in press).
More information - request reprints and the Focus on Science news story "Mountains of Monarchs."
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