NC State University
Booth, Warren
Home

Title: 
Research Associate
Faculty Affiliate: 
Schal/Vargo
Office: 

3312 Gardner Hall

Box 7613, NCSU, Raleigh, NC USA 27695-7613

(New address as of August 15th 2012: Assistant Professor of Molecular Ecology, Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, OK.)

Phone: 
919.515.1662
Fax: 
919.515.7746
warren_booth@ncsu.edu
Research: 

I am an integrative molecular ecologist, broadly interested in the evolutionary forces driving population differentiation and dynamics within mosaic landscapes. In particular, I am interested in the effects of ecological barriers in the absence of physical barriers, and their subsequent effect on population genetic structure within both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. Additionally, I am interested in the impact factors relating to global change (i.e. habitat fragmentation, land use change, range shifts due to climatic change, human-mediated movement of invasive species) have on the distribution, genetic diversity, and genetic differentiation of native and introduced vertebrate and invertebrate species.

I am also interested in the use of molecular markers to understand the evolution of reproductive life-histories. This includes the evolution of alternate reproductive strategies in reptiles (primarily parthenogenesis and long-term sperm storage), their distribution within the phylogeny of snakes, understanding reproductive success and parentage within natural populations, and also the evolution and importance of polyandry in vertebrate and invertebrate populations. 

My research to date has spanned a broad evolutionary hierarchy ranging from the resolution of phylogenetic relationships within taxa, the determination of patterns of phylogeographic and population genetic structure within species, the elucidation of breeding systems, and the determination of genetic relatedness among individuals within populations. My research involves the development (using next generation systems) and application of molecular tools/techniques, particularly microsatellite DNA profiling, in addition to RFLP and sequencing of both mtDNA and nuclear genes.

Education

  • Ph.D. (2005) - Population & Evolutionary Genetics - The Queen's University of Belfast. Doctoral Thesis: DNA profiling in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): a biological model system for the understanding of rapid changes in population genetic structure and dynamics. Advisors - Dr. P.A. Prodöhl & Prof. W.I. Montgomery.

  • B.Sc. (with Honors) (2000) - Genetics - The Queen's University of Belfast Advisors - Dr. P.A. Prodöhl & Prof. W.I. Montgomery.

Current Projects

  • Determination of sources of infestation and patterns of dispersal of bed bugs in urban and agricultural environments. Funding - USDA-NRI. (with Drs. Ed Vargo & Coby Schal). 

  • Understanding the link between kdr insecticide resistance profile and genetic structure in the Bed bug. Funding - Pest Management Foundation (with Drs. Ed Vargo & Coby Schal).

  • Population genetics and phylogeography of the Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile. Funding - Pest Management Foundation - (with Drs Jules Silverman & Sean Menke. Collaborators - Drs Rob Dunn, Ed Vargo. & Coby Schal).

  • Reproductive success, parentage, and population genetic structure of the North American pitviper snake, Agkistrodon contortrix - (with Dr. Gordon Schuett [Georgia State University] and Dr. Charles Smith [Wofford College, SC])

  • Parthenogenesis in Squamate Reptiles - Link to Press Page

Publications

In Press/Published
Submitted

  •  

    Turner, M.M.*, Deperno, C.S., Booth, W., Vargo, E.L., Conner, M.C. & Lancia, R.A. The genetic mating system of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) under quality deer management. The Journal of Wildlife Management

     

In Prep

  • Delaney, D.A., Booth, W., Meixner, M.D., Schiff, N.M., Vargo, E.L. & Sheppard, W.S. Genetic structure of U.S. feral Honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) populations using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. Annals of the Entomological Society of America

  •  Youngsteadt, E*., Booth. W., Vargo, E.L. & Schal, C. Colony structure and nestmate recognition in parabiotic ant-garden ants: A behavioral, chemical, and genetic analysis of Camponotus femoratus and Crematogaster levior.

  • Booth, W., Montgomery, W.I., Harrod, C., Schunke, A., Montgomery, S. & Prodöhl, P.A. Habitat mosaic limits gene flow in a generalist mammal species.

         * Student author

Reports

  • Booth, W., Tabuchi, R., Lewis, V. & Vargo, E.L. (2010) Genetic diversity, colony genetic structure, colony identity and breeding structure of teh western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagen). pp. 50-74 in V.R Lewis (Principal Investigator). Assessment of Devices and Techniques for Improving Inspection and Evaluation of Treatments in Inaccessible Drywood Termite Infestations. Final Report to the California Structural Pest Control Board. pestboard.ca.gov/howdoi/research.shtml