Dr. Jack J. O'Brien
- B.A. Stanford University, CA, USA, 1967
- Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA, 1984
Research Description:
Long term research goals are centered upon understanding the ecological and physiological interactions between invertebrates and their parasites.
Current research involves: The rhizocephalan barnacle, "Loxothylacus texanus", a parasite of blue crabs. These barnacles are parasitic castrators; reproductive organs of infected crabs do not mature. In addition, crabs bearing the external stage of the parasite do not molt, they acquire the adult morphology at a very small size, and male crabs are feminized. For unknown reasons the parasite is restricted to the Gulf of Mexico as it has not been reported in host populations along the Atlantic Coast.
Ongoing investigations include: Determining the effects of temperature upon parasite fecundity, salinity upon survival of parasite larvae, host molt stage on the ability of the parasite to successfully infect potential hosts, and identifying the chemical cues used by parasite larvae to locate potential hosts.