Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Biology
The University of Texas at Arlington
Box 19498
Arlington, TX 76019-0498
Education
Ph.D. 2008* The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Major: Quantitative Biology
Dissertation Topic:
Thermal ecology of the Plestiodon fasciatus species complex
M. S. 2004 The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Major: Biology
Thesis topic:
Major: Wildlife Science
Minor: Forestry
Professional Positions
2003-2005 Supervisor of Herpetology, The Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas
2001-2003 Reptile/Amphibian Keeper, The Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas
1998-2001 Reptile/Amphibian Keeper, The Ellen Trout Zoo, Lufkin, Texas
Academic Positions
2006-present Graduate Teaching Assistant, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
2004-2005 Lecturer, Richland College, Dallas, Texas
2004-present Adjunct Research Associate, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
Research Interests
My interests include biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and conservation, particularly within forested ecosystems. I am a question-oriented researcher who tends to utilize herpetofauna and arthropods as model species, but I am also strongly interested in small mammals, aquatic life, and forest flora. I am currently interested in applying physiological techniques in an applied and comparative manner to answer broad-scale evolutionary and ecological questions.
Professional Affiliations
Ecological Society of America Member
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Member
Southwestern Association of Naturalists Member
Natural Areas Association Member
Texas Academy of Science Member
Texas Herpetological Society Communications Officer
Phi Sigma Society 2006-07 Chapter President
Publications
Watson, Charles M. and M. S. Vaughan. 2004. Liophis typhlus: Coloration.
Herpetological Review. 35:2. p. 178.
Watson, Charles M. and J. C. Watson. 2005. Eumeces fasciatus: Hatchlings.
Herpetological Review. 36:3. p. 318.
Watson, Charles M. and D. R. Formanowicz. 2007. Plestiodon fasciatus: Prey.
Herpetological Review. 38:1. p. 82.
Watson, Charles M. Thamnophis proximus: 2007. Foraging Biology.
Herpetological Review. 38:3. p346.
In Review
Watson, Charles M. Selection of Available Post-Fire Substrate by Scincella lateralis Say (Ground Skink).
Watson, Charles M. and M. L. Nicholson. The recovery of arthropod fauna and refuge availability within the Leaf-litter of an East Texas mixed hardwood-pine habitat following prescribed burning.
Presentations
Oral:
The effects of prescribed burning on ground skink (Scincella lateralis) populations in a mixed
hardwood-pine habitat in East Texas. 52nd Annual Meeting of The Southwestern Association
of Naturalists, Huntsville, TX, April 2005
Aren't we all enthusiasts? Finding common ground for cooperation across herpetological borders.
Fall 2005 Symposium of The Texas Herpetological Society, Austin, TX, November 2005
Natural History and Ecology of the Five-Lined Skinks. The Dallas-Ft. Worth Herpetological Society. 17 March 2007
Poster:
ecosystem. 2006 Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference. Tuscaloosa, AL. March 2006
Current Projects
Thermal ecology of the three southeastern species of five-lined skinks
Short-term and long-term changes to the leaf litter environment due to a regular fire regime
Book proposal
Popular Publications
Watson, Charles M. 2007. The Five-Lined Skinks: “Scorpion Lizards of the Southeast”
Reptiles. October Issue. Pp. 58-65
Watson, Charles M. 2004. Setup and Maintenance of a Successful Herp Quarantine.
Reptiles USA. Pp. 108-116.
Served as Reviewer
African Journal of Herpetology
Conservation and Research
Domestic:
International: