Charles M. Watson, Ph.D. 

 

 


Education

 

Ph.D.   2008    The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

                        Major:              Quantitative Biology

                        Dissertation:

                       Comparative thermal biology and associated niche differentiation among the  five-lined skinks

 

M. S.   2004    The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

                        Major:              Biology

                        Thesis:     

 The effects of controlled burning on ground skink populations in a mixed pine hardwood habitat in East Texas 

 

B. S.    1998    Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas

                        Major:              Wildlife Science

                        Minor:               Forestry 

  


Academic Positions

 

2008-               Lecturer / Laboratory Coordinator

The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

                        Lecturing:                    Cellular & Molecular Biology

                                                            Structure & Function of Organisms

                                                            Biology of Texas

                        Coordinating:              Cellular & Molecular Biology Lab

                                                            Structure & Function of Organisms Lab

                                                            Non-Majors Biology Lab

                                                            Plant Science Lab

 

2008                Adjunct Instructor

                        The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

                        Instructed:                   Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab

 

2006-2008       Graduate Teaching Assistant

The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

                        Laboratories Taught:   Plant Science Lab

                                                            Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab

                                                            Structure & Function of Organisms Lab

                                                            Non-Majors Biology Lab

                                                            Biostatistics

                                                            Human Anatomy & Physiology

 

2004-2005       Adjunct Lecturer

Richland College, Dallas, Texas

                        Lectured:                     Introductory Biology Lecture & Lab

 

2004-2007       Research Associate, The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, Texas

 


Professional Positions

 

2003-2005       Reptile Department Supervisor, 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 

 


Professional Training

 

            American Zoo and Aquarium Association Professional Training Program, Wheeling WV

            2002                Managing for Success: Career Development

            2003                Managing for Success: Organizational Development

            2004                Population Management I

 


Research Interests

 

My interests include biogeography, biodiversity, conservation and evolutionary ecology. I am an integrative ecologist 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 integrating field ecology, physiological techniques, laboratory performance trials, and GIS technology in an applied and comparative manner to answer broad-scale evolutionary and ecological questions. 

 


Publications

 

Full-length

 

Watson, Charles M. Selection of available post-fire substrate by Scincella lateralis Say (Ground Skink).

            The Texas Journal of Science. In Press.

 

Watson, Charles M. and D. R. Formanowicz. Differences in maximum locomoter performance of Plestiodon fasciatus, P. inexpectatus, and

            P. laticeps at four ecologically-relevant temperatures.  Submitted

 

Watson, Charles M. and W.W. Burggren. Resting Oxygen Consumption and Its  Temperature Sensitivity Reflect Distinct Thermal Ecological

            Niches in Five-lined Skinks (Genus Plestiodon) of the Eastern United States In Prep.

 

Watson, Charles M. and L. Gough. Thermal habitat segregation among the five-lined skinks of the Southeastern United States.  In Prep.

 

Notes and Shorter Communications

 

Watson, Charles M. 2007. Thamnophis proximus: Foraging Biology.

            Herpetological Review. 38:3. p. 346

 

Watson, Charles M. and D. R. Formanowicz. 2007. Plestiodon fasciatus: Prey.

Herpetological Review. 38:1. p. 82.

 

Watson, Charles M. and J. C. Watson.  2005.  Eumeces fasciatus: Hatchlings. 

Herpetological Review. 36:3. p. 318.

 

Watson, Charles M. and M. S. Vaughan.  2004.  Liophis typhlus: Coloration. 

Herpetological Review. 35:2.  p. 178.

 

Popular (Not Peer-reviewed)

 

Watson, Charles M.  2007. The Five-Lined Skinks: “Scorpion Lizards of the

Southeast” Reptiles. October. Pp. 59-65.

 

Watson, Charles M.  2004. Setup and Maintenance of a Successful Herp

Quarantine. Reptiles USA.  Pp. 108-116.

 


Presentations and Published Abstracts

 

Oral:

          Watson, C.M. Combining Field Data with Laboratory Trials to Explain Differences in the Thermal Niche of Three Species of           

                        Plestiodon. Joint Physiology Workshop UNT/Universidad Autonoma  del Estado de Mexico. Toluca, Mexico. September 2008

.

           Watson, C. M. and W. W. Burggren.  Thermal Physiology and Field Observations Support Microhabitat Diversification and Spatial

                         Resource Partitioning Among Plestiodon  fasciatus, P. laticeps, and P. inexpectatus.  Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and  

                         Herpetologists. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 2008.

 

           Watson, C. M. and L. Gough.  Comparative thermal biology of three morphologically similar syntopic lizards of the genus        

                         Plestiodon. Evolution 2008. Minneapolis, MN, June 2008

 

           Watson, C.M.  Natural History and Ecology of the Five-Lined Skinks. The Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society. March 2007

 

           Watson, C.M.  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

 

           Watson, C.M.  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


Poster:

          

            Ismaili S. M., M. M. Behzadi, and C. M. Watson. Thermal Extremes Describe Latitudinal Range Limitations in the Five-Lined Skinks,

                          Plestiodon fasciatus, P. inexpectatus, and P. laticeps Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES).  The University of                           Texas at Arlington, March 2009.

 

           Watson, C. M. and M. L. NicholsonRecovery of leaf litter macroinvertebrate fauna following prescribed burning of a mixed

                           hardwood-pine ecosystem. 2006 Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference. Tuscaloosa, AL. March 2006

 


Grants and Awards:

 

East Texas Herpetological Society                  2006:                           $500

Phi Sigma Honor Society                                2006, 2007:                 $750

UTA Biology Department                               2006, 2007:                 $1000

UTA College of Math and Science                  2006, 2007:                $500

 


Field Conservation and Travel

 

2008                            Collaboration with UNT and UNAEM in Toluca, Mexico as part of an Annual Physiological Ecology Workshop. 

 

2006-Present               Ongoing field work throughout the Southeastern United States to investigate the ecology of Plestiodon fasciatus,

                                       Plestiodon laticeps, and Plestiodon inexpectatus.

2002 - Present             Perform field work in Smith County, Texas regarding prescribed burning, associated resource availability, and herpetofaunal

                                       communities

2003:                           Led research expedition to Amazonian Peru in attempt to radio track Caiman Lizards and document their movements   

                                       throughout the flooded forest habitat.

2002:                           Accompanied zoo professionals to Philippine Islands to promote in situ conservation by establishing relationships with

                                       numerous academic and conservation organizations.


Served as Reviewer

 

Journal of Herpetology

Herpetological Review

African Journal of Herpetology

 


Professional Affiliations

 

Society for the Study of Evolution                               Member

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles        Member

Texas Academy of Science                                         Member

Texas Herpetological Society                                      Member, Communications Officer

Phi Sigma Society                                                       Member, 2007 Chapter President

 


Undergraduate Research Assistants

 

Shaliza Ismaili 

Mitra Behzadi           Spring 2009: 

                  Project:   Thermal Extremes Describe Latitudinal Range Limitations in the Five-Lined Skinks, Plestiodon fasciatus,

                                   P. inexpectatus, and P. laticeps

                                Status:  Winner:   Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students President’s Sustainability Award – 2009

 

Scott Alford               Summer 2009:

                  Project:   The Texas Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, manipulates its general body  morphology to maximize heat

                                   acquisition and retention

                                 Status:  In Progress

 

Paul Pasichnyk            Fall/Spring 2009/2010

                   Project:    Is blue tail coloration effective at diverting avian attacks on five-lined skinks?

                                   Status:  In Progress

 

Shaliza Ismaili

Mitra Behzadi

Tina Firouzbakht

Stuti Ojha                    Fall/Spring/Summer 2009/2010

                      Project:  The annual demographic cycle of a population of western mosquitofish,  Gambusia affinis, from North Texas

                                   Status:  Awaiting IACUC Approval