My research is an integration of basic principles
and application. I combine theory, laboratory inquiry, and field observation
to seek generalities. My immediate goals are to elucidate key elements
in the expression of behavioral phenotypes (individuals that behave in
a consistent manner across contexts) and life-history variants, examine
the interplay between these types and their environment, and determine
their role in population processes. A thorough understanding of these
components will allow me to rationally address an ultimate goal –
application of these findings to real world conservation problems.
Watters,
J.V. and Cech, J.J. Behavioral responses of mosshead and
woolly sculpins to increasing environmental hypoxia. Copeia
2 (2003) 297-401.
Watters,
J.V., Lema, S.C., and Nevitt, G.A. Phenotype Management:
A new approach to habitat restoration. Biological Conservation
112 (2003) 435-445.
Watters,
J.V. Can the alternative male tactics “fighter”
and “sneaker” be considered “coercer”
and “cooperator” in coho salmon? Animal Behaviour
70 (2005) 1055-1062.
Sih,
A., and Watters, J.V. The mix matters: An experimental
manipulation of the group’s behavioral type in water
striders. Behaviour 142 (2005) 1417-1431.
Watters,
J.V., and Meehan, C. Different strokes: Can managing behavioral
types increase post-release success?. In Press at Applied
Animal Behavior Science