Positions

Research Areas research areas

Overview

  • Research Expertise:
    Neurobiology, behavior and physiology of marine animals (lobsters, nudibranches, fish and horseshoe crabs), biotelemetry, biological rhythms

    Research Emphasis:
    Overall, my goal is to try and understand the behavior of animals, both at the level of neurons and in terms of how the animals are influenced by their environment.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title
    2023 Assessment of recovery potential for the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus): An application of the IUCN green status processAquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.  33:1175-1199. 2023
    2022 Measurements of American lobster heart rate and movements in the wild using a low-cost open source dataloggerMarine Biology: international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters.  169. 2022
    2022 Does female shell disease status influence mating success in American lobsters?Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.  548:151681-151681. 2022
    2022 In the sea slug Melibe leonina the posterior nerves communicate stomach distention to inhibit feeding and modify oral hood movements.Frontiers in Physiology.  13:1047106. 2022
    2021 Evidence for homing behavior in the American lobster Homarus americanus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae)Journal of Crustacean Biology.  41. 2021
    2021 Sublethal behavioral and physiological effects of claw removal on Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis)Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.  545:151642-151642. 2021
    2021 Distribution of juvenile American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, USAMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  662:199-203. 2021
    2021 Movements of egg-bearing American lobsters Homarus americanus during late stage brooding and hatchingMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  661:163-173. 2021
    2021 The Digestive Diverticula in the Carnivorous Nudibranch, Melibe leonina, Do Not Contain Photosynthetic Symbionts.Integr Org Biol.  3:obab015. 2021
    2020 American Lobster,Homarus americanus, Reproduction and Recruitment in a New England EstuaryEstuaries and Coasts.  43:2141-2151. 2020
    2020 The relative influence of nature vs. nurture on the expression of circatidal rhythms in the American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemusMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  649:83-96. 2020
    2020 A novel method of quantifying sperm to determine the potential for sperm depletion in male American lobsters Homarus americanus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae)Journal of Crustacean Biology.  40:471-478. 2020
    2020 The Distribution and Possible Roles of Small Cardioactive Peptide in the Nudibranch Melibe leonina.Integr Org Biol.  2:obaa016. 2020
    2019 Patterns and possible causes of skewed sex ratios in American lobster (Homarus americanus) populationsInvertebrate Reproduction and Development.  63:189-199. 2019
    2019 Biochemical changes throughout early- and middle-stages of embryogenesis in lobsters (Homarus americanus) under different thermal regimes.PeerJ.  7:e6952. 2019
    2019 Experimental analyses of the mechanisms leading to American lobster (Homarus americanus) ventless trap saturationFishery Bulletin.  117:211-219. 2019
    2018 Computational biomechanical analyses demonstrate similar shell-crushing abilities in modern and ancient arthropods.Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.  285:20181935. 2018
    2018 Sequences of Circadian Clock Proteins in the Nudibranch Molluscs Hermissenda crassicornis, Melibe leonina, and Tritonia diomedea.Biological Bulletin.  234:207-218. 2018
    2018 Underwater video surveillance of American lobsters (Homarus americanus) to understand saturation levels in lobster trapsFishery Bulletin.  116:161-170. 2018
    2017 A comparison of the distribution and abundance of European green crabs and American lobsters in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, USAFisheries Research.  189:10-17. 2017
    2017 Local tidal regime dictates plasticity of expression of locomotor activity rhythms of American horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus.Marine Biology: international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters.  164:63. 2017
    2017 Entrainment of juvenile horseshoe crab activity to artificial tidesMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  50:125-140. 2017
    2017 Evidence of mating by sexually immature female American lobsters Homarus americanus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda: Nephropidae)Journal of Crustacean Biology.  37:2-6. 2017
    2017 The Draft Genome and Transcriptome of the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus.International Journal of Genomics.  2017:7636513. 2017
    2016 Identification of putative circadian clock genes in the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics.  19:45-61. 2016
    2016 Influence of Environmental Factors on Spawning of the American Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, USAEstuaries and Coasts.  39:1142-1153. 2016
    2016 Rhythms of locomotion and seasonal changes in activity expressed by horseshoe crabs in their natural habitatMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  542:109-121. 2016
    2016 Circalunidian clocks control tidal rhythms of locomotion in the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  49:75-91. 2016
    2016 The influence of stomach distention on feeding in the nudibranch mollusk Melibe leoninaMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  49:277-290. 2016
    2015 VARIATION IN THE SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF EJACULATES PRODUCED BY MALE AMERICAN LOBSTERS, HOMARUS AMERICANUS H. MILNE EDWARDS, 1837 (DECAPODA: NEPHROPIDAE)Journal of Crustacean Biology.  35:593-604. 2015
    2015 A comparison of American lobster size structure and abundance using standard and ventless trapsFisheries Research.  167:243-251. 2015
    2015 Seasonal movements of American lobsters in southern Gulf of Maine coastal waters: patterns, environmental triggers, and implications for larval releaseMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  524:197-211. 2015
    2015 Influence of natural inshore and offshore thermal regimes on egg development and time of hatch in American lobsters, Homarus americanus.Biological Bulletin.  228:1-12. 2015
    2014 Circadian rhythms of crawling and swimming in the nudibranch mollusc Melibe leonina.Biological Bulletin.  227:263-273. 2014
    2014 A noninvasive method for in situ determination of mating success in female American lobsters (Homarus americanus).Journal of Visualized Experiments.  e50498. 2014
    2014 Small cardioactive peptide immunoreactivity in the nudibranch Melibe leoninaIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  54:E323-E323. 2014
    2014 ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATES THAT THE NUDIBRANCH MELIBE LEONINA LACKS SYMBIOTIC ALGAE AND KLEPTOPLASTSIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  54:E295-E295. 2014
    2013 Sublethal behavioral and physiological effects of the biomedical bleeding process on the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.Biological Bulletin.  225:137-151. 2013
    2013 Seasonal and sexual differences in the thermal preferences and movements of American lobstersCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.  70:1650-1657. 2013
    2013 At-sea determination of female American lobster (Homarus americanus) mating activity: Patterns vs. expectationsFisheries Research.  147:327-337. 2013
    2013 Patterns of activity expressed by juvenile horseshoe crabs.Biological Bulletin.  225:42-49. 2013
    2013 A circadian clock regulates both crawling and swimming in the nudibranch Melibe leoninaIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  53:E112-E112. 2013
    2012 The Influence of Stocking Density on the Swimming Behavior of Adult Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua, in a Near Shore Net PenJournal of the World Aquaculture Society.  43:621-634. 2012
    2012 In search of biological clock neurons in the central nervous system of the nudibranch Melibe leoninaIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  52:E216-E216. 2012
    2011 TWO METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE FERTILITY STATUS OF EARLY-STAGE AMERICAN LOBSTER, HOMARUS AMERICANUS, EGGSJournal of Crustacean Biology.  31:693-700. 2011
    2011 Evidence that potential fish predators elicit the production of carapace vibrations by the American lobster.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  214:2641-2648. 2011
    2011 The behavior of cod (Gadus morhua) in an offshore aquaculture net penAquaculture.  310:361-368. 2011
    2011 The effects of water pressure, temperature, and current cycles on circatidal rhythms expressed by the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemusMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  44:43-60. 2011
    2010 Circatidal rhythms of locomotion in the American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus: Underlying mechanisms and cues that influence themCurrent Zoology.  56:499-517. 2010
    2010 High resolution tracking of adult horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in a New Hampshire estuary using fixed array ultrasonic telemetryCurrent Zoology.  56:599-610. 2010
    2010 Horseshoe crab behavior: Patterns and processesCurrent Zoology.  56:I-III. 2010
    2010 Male horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus use multiple sensory cues to locate matesCurrent Zoology.  56:485-498. 2010
    2010 Seasonal movements of American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire (USA)Current Zoology.  56:587-598. 2010
    2009 A self-contained system for observing and quantifying the behavior of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, in an offshore aquaculture cageAquaculture.  293:49-56. 2009
    2009 Do Circatidal or Circalunidian Clocks Control Locomotor Rhythms in the American Horseshoe Crab?Integrative and Comparative Biology.  49:E293-E293. 2009
    2009 Use of ultrasonic telemetry to determine the area of bait influence and trapping area of American lobster, Homarus americanus, trapsNew Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research.  43:411-418. 2009
    2009 Home range dynamics of the American lobster, Homarus americanusMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  42:63-80. 2009
    2008 Rhythms of locomotion expressed by Limulus polyphemus, the American horseshoe crab: I. Synchronization by artificial tides.Biological Bulletin.  215:34-45. 2008
    2008 Rhythms of locomotion expressed by Limulus polyphemus, the American horseshoe crab: II. Relationship to circadian rhythms of visual sensitivity.Biological Bulletin.  215:46-56. 2008
    2007 Endogenous rhythms of locomotion in the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemusJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.  345:79-89. 2007
    2007 Thermal histories of brooding lobsters, Homarus americanus, in the Gulf of MaineMarine Biology: international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters.  150:463-470. 2007
    2006 Daily patterns of locomotion expressed by American lobsters (Homarus americanus) in their natural habitatJournal of Crustacean Biology.  26:610-620. 2006
    2005 Differences in the size at maturity of female American lobsters, Homarus americanus, captured throughout the range of the offshore fisheryJournal of Crustacean Biology.  25:585-592. 2005
    2005 Mechanisms underlying the production of carapace vibrations and associated waterborne sounds in the American lobster, Homarus americanus.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  208:3421-3429. 2005
    2005 Daily and circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in the American lobster, Homarus americanusJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.  318:61-70. 2005
    2005 Central pattern generator for swimming in Melibe.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  208:1347-1361. 2005
    2004 The influence of light on locomotion in the gastropod Melibe leoninaMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  37:253-269. 2004
    2004 Circatidal and circadian rhythms of locomotion in Limulus polyphemus.Biological Bulletin.  207:72-75. 2004
    2002 Neural correlates of swimming behavior in Melibe leonina.Biological Bulletin.  203:152-160. 2002
    2002 Swimming behavior of the nudibranch Melibe leonina.Biological Bulletin.  203:144-151. 2002
    2002 Modulation of swimming in the gastropod Melibe leonina by nitric oxide.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  205:397-403. 2002
    2001 Detection of salinity by the lobster, Homarus americanus.Biological Bulletin.  201:424-434. 2001
    2001 Neuroethology of Melibe leonina swimming BehaviorIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  41:1026-1035. 2001
    2001 Identifiable nitrergic neurons in the central nervous system of the nudibranch Melibe leonina localized with NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity.Journal of Comparative Neurology.  437:70-78. 2001
    2000 Thermosensitivity of the lobster, Homarus americanus, as determined by cardiac assay.Biological Bulletin.  199:257-264. 2000
    1999 Lobster movements in an estuaryMarine Biology: international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters.  134:65-75. 1999
    1999 Skewed sex ratio in an estuarine lobster (Homarus americanus) populationThe Journal of Shellfish Research.  18:193-201. 1999
    1998 Behavioral thermoregulation in the American lobster Homarus americanus.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  201:365-374. 1998
    1995 LOBSTER MOVEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO A HURRICANEMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  119:305-310. 1995
    1994 THE BEHAVIOR OF LOBSTERS IN RESPONSE TO REDUCED SALINITYJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.  180:23-37. 1994
    1994 Excitatory actions of FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) on the neurogenic Limulus heart.Biological Bulletin.  186:309-318. 1994
    1994 THE EFFECTS OF REDUCED SALINITY ON LOBSTER (HOMARUS-AMERICANUS MILNE-EDWARDS) METABOLISM - IMPLICATIONS FOR ESTUARINE POPULATIONSJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.  176:167-185. 1994
    1993 THE INFLUENCE OF OLFACTORY AND TACTILE STIMULI ON THE FEEDING-BEHAVIOR OF MELIBE-LEONINA (GOULD, 1852) (OPISTHOBRANCHIA, DENDRONOTACEA)Veliger.  36:311-316. 1993
    1992 Peptidergic regulation of the Limulus midgut.Journal of Comparative Physiology A: sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology.  170:631-643. 1992
    1992 Evidence for homologous peptidergic neurons in the buccal ganglia of diverse nudibranch mollusks.Developmental Neurobiology.  23:173-186. 1992
    1992 A QUANTITATIVE DESCRIPTION OF MELIBE FEEDING-BEHAVIOR AND ITS MODIFICATION BY PREY DENSITYMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  19:183-194. 1992
    1992 THE ROLE OF THE MELIBE BUCCAL GANGLIA IN FEEDING-BEHAVIORMarine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology.  19:195-209. 1992
    1990 Involvement of cyclic AMP in multiple, excitatory actions of biogenic amines on the cardiac ganglion of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  152:313-331. 1990
    1990 Identification of proctolin in the central nervous system of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.Peptides.  11:205-211. 1990
    1989 GILLS AS POSSIBLE ACCESSORY CIRCULATORY PUMPS IN LIMULUS-POLYPHEMUSBiological Bulletin.  177:386-395. 1989
    1989 Introduction to the symposium: Behavioral neuromodulators: Cellular, comparative and evolutionary patternsIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  29:1211-1212. 1989
    1989 Second-messenger systems underlying amine and peptide actions on cardiac muscle in the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  145:419-437. 1989
    1989 BEHAVIORAL NEUROMODULATORS - CELLULAR, COMPARATIVE AND EVOLUTIONARY PATTERNS - INTRODUCTIONIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  29:1211-1212. 1989
    1989 MODULATION OF THE LIMULUS HEARTIntegrative and Comparative Biology.  29:1287-1303. 1989
    1988 The molluscan neuropeptide, SCPB, increases the responsiveness of the feeding motor program of Limax maximus.Developmental Neurobiology.  19:87-105. 1988
    1987 Mechanism for amine modulation of the neurogenic Limulus heart: evidence for involvement of cAMP.Developmental Neurobiology.  18:417-431. 1987
    1987 An interactive video-computer tracking system for quantification of locomotor behavior.Journal of Chemical Ecology.  13:1029-1044. 1987
    1987 Modification of olfactory-related behavior in juvenile Atlantic salmon by changes in pH.Journal of Chemical Ecology.  13:533-546. 1987
    1987 EVIDENCE FOR THE PRESENCE OF GABAMIDE ON THE WEB OF ORB WEAVING SPIDERSComparative Biochemistry and Physiology - B Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  88:457-460. 1987
    1985 Proctolin induces rhythmic contractions and spikes in Limulus heart muscle.American Journal of Physiology.  249:R490-R495. 1985
    1985 Neurohormonal modulation of the Limulus heart: amine actions on neuromuscular transmission and cardiac muscle.The Journal of Experimental Biology.  118:71-84. 1985
    1984 Characterization and distribution of FMRFamide immunoreactivity in the rat central nervous system.Peptides.  5:563-568. 1984
    1984 Presence and distribution of immunoreactive and bioactive FMRFamide-like peptides in the nervous system of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.Peptides.  5:585-592. 1984
    1982 Amine modulation of the neurogenic Limulus heart.Developmental Neurobiology.  13:61-74. 1982
    1982 Peptide and amine modulation of the Limulus heart: a simple neural network and its target tissue.Peptides.  3:485-492. 1982
    1981 The neuropeptide proctolin acts directly on Limulus cardiac muscle to increase the amplitude of contraction.Brain Research.  213:449-454. 1981

    Conference Paper

    Year Title
    2018 Localization and expression of putative circadian clock transcripts in the brain of the nudibranch Melibe leonina.Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 52-59. 2018
    2018 Distribution of ovigerous American lobsters near the Isles of Shoals, New HampshireBulletin of Marine Science. 555-570. 2018
    2018 Monitoring the behavior of freely moving lobsters with accelerometersBulletin of Marine Science. 533-553. 2018
    2018 Circadian Clock Proteins in the Nudibranch Mollusks Hermissenda crassicornis, Melibe leonina, and Tritonia diomedea.Integrative and Comparative Biology. E42-E42. 2018
    2017 Localization of Circadian Clock Proteins in the Nervous System of the Mollusk Melibe leoninaIntegrative and Comparative Biology. E99-E99. 2017
    2017 Localization of the Circadian Clock in the Nervous System of the Mollusk Melibe leonina, using in situ HybridizationIntegrative and Comparative Biology. E76-E76. 2017
    2016 Localization of the circadian protein, CLOCK, in Melibe leoninaIntegrative and Comparative Biology. E380-E380. 2016
    2009 The Relationship Between Small- and Large-Scale Movements of Horseshoe Crabs in the Great Bay Estuary and Limulus Behavior in the LaboratoryBIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF HORSESHOE CRABS. 131-+. 2009
    2003 Size at maturity of female American lobsters from an estuarine and coastal populationThe Journal of Shellfish Research. 857-863. 2003
    2001 Lobster trap video: in situ video surveillance of the behaviour of Homarus americanus in and around trapsMarine and Freshwater Research. 1125-1132. 2001
    2001 Use of a treadmill to study the relationship between walking, ventilation and heart rate in the lobster Homarus americanusMarine and Freshwater Research. 1387-1394. 2001
    2000 Seasonal differences in behavioral thermoregulation in the lobster, Homarus americanus.Integrative and Comparative Biology. 978-979. 2000
    1999 Nitric oxide in the central nervous system of the opisthobranch Melibe leonina.Integrative and Comparative Biology. 18A-18A. 1999
    1999 The effect of reduced salinity on locomotion in the American lobster.Integrative and Comparative Biology. 23A-23A. 1999
    1999 The neural basis of swimming in the nudibranch Melibe leonina.Integrative and Comparative Biology. 110A-110A. 1999
    1985 THE MOLLUSCAN NEUROPEPTIDE, SCPB, INCREASES THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE FEEDING MOTOR PROGRAM OF LIMAX MAXIMUSIntegrative and Comparative Biology. A16-A16. 1985
    1981 AMINES INCREASES THE STRENGTH OF LIMULUS HEART CONTRACTIONS BY ENHANCING NEUROMUSCULAR-TRANSMISSIONBiological Bulletin. 317-317. 1981
    1980 THE POSSIBLE NEURO-HORMONAL ROLE OF DOPAMINE IN LIMULUSIntegrative and Comparative Biology. 941-941. 1980

    Principal Investigator On

  • Can Climate Change Induce Reproductive Failure in American Lobster? Case Study of a Collapsed Stock.  awarded by Massachusetts, State of 2016 - 2020
  • Using Dataloggers to Investigate the Behavior and Physiology of Lobsters in Their Natural Habitat  awarded by PADI Foundation 2019
  • Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Circadian and Circatidal Rhythms  awarded by Dartmouth College 2017 - 2018
  • Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Circadian and Circatidal Rhythms  awarded by Dartmouth College 2016 - 2017
  • Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Circadian and Circatidal Rhythms  awarded by Dartmouth College 2015 - 2016
  • The Netural Mechanisms Underlying Circadian Rhythms in a Gastropod Model Organism  awarded by Dartmouth College 2014 - 2015
  • The Neutral Mechanisms Underlying Circadian Rhythms in a Gastropod Model Organism  awarded by Dartmouth College 2013 - 2014
  • Biological Clock Localization  awarded by Dartmouth College 2012 - 2013
  • Localization of Putative Clock Neurons in Horseshoe Crabs and Lobsters Using Antibodies Directed Against Authentic Limulus and Homarus Clock Proteins  awarded by Dartmouth College 2011 - 2012
  • Does the Great Bay Estuary Support a Self-Recruiting Lobster Population?  awarded by US DOC, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2011 - 2012
  • The Buzzards Bay Lobster Resource: Are Changes in Reproduction having a Negative Impact on the Fishery?  awarded by Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation 2009 - 2011
  • Influence of Emanate Electromagnetic Fields on Lobster Behavior  awarded by ENSR Consulting & Engineering 2004
  • Simple Inexpensive Method for Using Mussels as Indicators  awarded by Maine, State of 2001 - 2002
  • Modulation of Swimming in a Marine Mollusc  awarded by US DHHS, National Institutes of Health 1995 - 1997
  • Cooperative Agreement Between SEA and UNH  awarded by US DOC, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 1994 - 1996
  • Neuronal Basis of Swallowing Behavior in Melibe Leonia  awarded by US DHHS, NIH AREA (Academic Research Enhancement Award) 1990 - 1993
  • Teaching Activities

  • Neurobiology Laboratory I Taught course 2016
  • Neuroscience and Behavior I Taught course 2016
  • Neurobiology and Behavior Taught course 2016
  • Education And Training

  • B.A. Biology, Wesleyan University
  • Ph.D. Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Full Name

  • Winsor Watson, III