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TEACHING: General Biology I, Current Applications in Biology: The debate between evolution and creation “science", Ecology, Conservation Biology, Plant Anatomy and Physiology, Entomology, and Readings in Ecology and Evolution. RESEARCH In general, my research focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant-insect interactions. I am especially interested in the factors that affect host range expansion and sympatric divergence between host-associated populations of herbivorous insects. Specifically, my students and I are investigating whether plant-specific differences in larval development time are capable of producing genetic divergence in the gall midge, Asphondylia borrichiae. Such a scenario is possible if gene flow is greatly reduced between temporally-isolated sympatric host-associated populations of the gall midge. This project is conducted using native populations of Asphondylia along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the southeastern U.S. In addition, my students and I are investigating the effects of insect herbivory on the production of tannins (inducible polyphenolics) in turkey oak (Quercus laevis). This work focuses on the relationships between the intensity and timing of insect damage on the wounding response of turkey oak. In particular, I am interested in whether the response is localized to the site of damage or whether the trees produce elevated levels of tannins systemically. We are also are also studying the causes responsible for the inter-population differences in the survival, performance and recruitment of the hooded pitcher plant, Sarracenia minor. The overall objective of the study is to determine if this ecologically threatened carnivorous plant can serve as a useful indicator species. We are developing a growth response model of S. minor under variable environmental conditions, which will be tested as an index for wetland quality. Both of these projects are being conducted at UNF, which consists of a central core campus surrounded by large expanses of semi-natural ecosystems that are characteristic of north Florida. Lastly, I am participating in a long-term study investigating the effects of elevated CO2 on the survival and performance of the guild of lepidopteran leafminers and other phytophagous insects in a Florida scrub oak community. This project is being conducted in conjunction with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center near Titusville, Florida. RECENT PUBLICATIONS: Rossi, A.M., M. Murray, K. Hughes, M. Kowtowski, D.C. Moon and P. Stiling. 2006. Non-random distribution among a guild of parasitoids: implications for community structure and host survival. Ecological Entomology 31:557-563. Rossi, A.M., P. Stiling, D.C. Moon, M.V. Cattell and B.G. Drake. 2004. Induced defensive response of myrtle oak to herbivory in ambient and elevated CO2. Journal of Chemical Ecology 30:1143-1152. Stiling, P., A.M. Rossi and M.V. Cattell. 2003. Associational resistance mediated by natural enemies. Ecological Entomology 28:587-592. Stiling, P., D.C. Moon, M.D. Hunter, J. Colson, A.M. Rossi, G.J. Hymus and B.G. Drake. 2002. Elevated CO2 lowers relative and absolute herbivore density across all species of a scrub-oak forest. Oecologia 134:82-87. Rossi, A. M., and D. R. Strong. 2001. Seasonal distribution of the leafhopper Carneocephala floridana (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in north Florida salt marshes. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 94: 871-876. Stiling, P., A. M. Rossi, and D. Gordon. 2000. The difficulties of single factor thinking in Restoration: replanting a rare cactus in the Florida Keys. Biological Conservation 94: 327-333. Rossi, A. M., P. Stiling, M. V. Cattell, and T. I. Bowdish. 1999. Evidence fo the existense of host-associated races in a gall-forming midge: tradeoffs in potential fecundity. Ecological Entomology 24: 95-102. Rossi, A. M., and P. Stiling. 1998. The interactions of plant clone and abiotic factors on a gall-making midge. Oecologia 116: 170-176. |
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