Jon F. Harrison
Ecological Physiology of Insects
Dr. Harrisons research centers on the physiological mechanisms of insects in the context of environmental stress and evolutionary theory. His studies integrate field observations of insect ecology and behavior with laboratory studies of organismal and cellular physiology. Some of his current research projects address the following questions: (1) How do grasshoppers compensate for the widely varying acid contents of different diets? (2) How is the respiratory system of insects regulated to allow precise control of internal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels?, (3) How do endothermic insects like bees regulate their body temperature during flight? (4) Were the giant insects of the Paleozoic made possible by an elevation in atmospheric oxygen? (5) Are genetically-based differences in physiology partially responsible for the invasion success of African honeybees?
Selected Publications
Greenlee, K. and J.F. Harrison. 2004. Development of respiratory function in the American locust, Schistocerca americana. II. Within-instar effects. Journal of Experimental Biology 207:509-517.
Greenlee, K. and J.F. Harrison. 2004. Development of respiratory function in the American locust, Schistocerca americana. I. Across-instar effects. Journal of Experimental Biology 207: 497-508.
Woods, H.A., W. Makino, J.B. Cotner, S.E. Hobbe, J.F. Harrison, K Acharya and J.J. Elser. 2003. Temperature and the chemical composition of poikilothermic organisms. Functional Ecology 17: 237-245.
Fuerbacher, E., J.F. Harrison, J.H. Fewell, S.P. Roberts, and E. F. Smith. 2003. Effects of load type (pollen or nectar) and load mass on hovering metabolic rate and mechanical power output in the honey bee, Apis mellifera. J. Experimental Biology 206:1855-1865.
Harrison, J.F. 2003. Respiratory Systems. Pages 1002-1007 in: "Encyclopedia of Insects". Editors, V.H. Resh and R. Carde, Academic Press, San Diego.
Frazier, M.R., J.F. Harrison and S. Behmer. 2000. Effects of diet on titratable acid-base excretion in grasshoppers. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 73:66-76.
Harrison, J.F. and S.P. Roberts. Flight respiration and energetics. 2000. Annual Review of Physiology 62:179-205.
Roberts, S.P. and J.F. Harrison. 1999. Mechanisms of thermal stability during flight in the honey bee Apis mellifera. Journal of Experimental Biology 202:1523-1533.
Greenlee, K.J, and J.F. Harrison. 1998. Acid-base and respiratory responses to hypoxia in the grasshopper Schistocerca americana. Journal of Experimental Biology 201:2843-2855.
Roberts, S.P., J.F. Harrison and N.F. Hadley. 1998. Mechanisms of thermal balance in flying Centris pallida (Hymenoptera:Anthoporidae). Journal of Experimental Biology 201:2321-2331.
Harrison, J.H. and J.R. Lighton. 1998. Oxygen sensitive flight metabolism in the dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis. Journal of Experimental Biology 201:1739-1744.
Harrison, J.F. 1997. Ventilatory mechanism and control in grasshoppers. American Zoologist 37:73-81.
Joos, B., J.R.B. Lighton, J.F. Harrison, R.K. Suarez and S.P. Roberts. 1997. Effects of ambient oxygen tension on flight performance, metabolism and water loss of the honeybee. Physiological Zoology 70:167-174.
Harrison, J.F. 1997. Ventilatory mechanism and control in grasshoppers. American Zoologist 37:73-81.
Roberts, S.P. and J.F. Harrison. 1998. Mechanisms of thermoregulation in flying bees. American Zoologist 38:492-502.
Harrison, J.H. and J.R. Lighton. 1998. Oxygen sensitive flight metabolism in the dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis. Journal of Experimental Biology 201:1739-1744.
Roberts, S.P. and J.F. Harrison. 1998. Mechanisms of thermoregulation in flying bees. American Zoologist 38:492-502.
Harrison, J.H. and J.R. Lighton. 1998. Oxygen sensitive flight metabolism in the dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis. Journal of Experimental Biology 201:1739-1744.
Roberts, S.P. and J.F. Harrison. 1998. Mechanisms of thermoregulation in flying bees. American Zoologist 38:492-502.
Harrison, J.F. 1997. Ventilatory mechanism and control in grasshoppers. American Zoologist 37:73-81.
Joos, B., J.R.B. Lighton, J.F. Harrison, R.K. Suarez and S.P. Roberts. 1997. Effects of ambient oxygen tension on flight performance, metabolism and water loss of the honeybee. Physiological Zoology 70:167-174.