Research Interests

My major interests lie in the ecology and evolution of intimate species interactions (parasitism and mutualism) and in the evolution of animal reproductive behaviour. In both of these areas, natural selection often favours different outcomes for interacting individuals and I am especially interested in how these conflicts influence the biology and evolution of those involved. My research addresses these problems using integrative studies that combine field and lab work with molecular ecology and quantitative analysis. Much of my research focuses on the model system of fig plants and their associated pollinating and parasitic wasps and both sides of my research involve collaborations with other research teams in the UK and overseas. I teach both undergaduates and postgraduates on various courses in ecology, animal behaviour, evolution and scientific communication.

Representative publications: 

Haine, E.R. & Cook, J.M. (2005) Convergent incidences of Wolbachia infection in fig wasp communities from two continents. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B272, 421-429.
Cook, J.M., Bean, D., Power, S.A. & Dixon, D.J. (2004) Evolution of a complex coevolved trait: active pollination in a genus of fig wasps. J. Evol. Biol. 17, 238-246.
Cook, J.M., Rokas, A., Pagel, M. & Stone, G.N. (2002) Evolutionary shifts between host oak species and host plant organs in Andricus gall wasps.Evolution 56, 1821-1830.
Cook, J.M., West, S.A, Compton, S.G. & Herre, E.A. (1997) Alternative mating tactics and extreme male dimorphism in fig wasps. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 264, 747-754.