Stephen A. Watts

Research Description:

My basic research interests are in the areas of aquatic and marine biology. Our principal areas of interests include nutrition and growth, endocrinology, physiology and biochemistry (physiological ecology), particularly in aquatic and marine organisms. We use a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate models including tilapia, sea urchins, crayfish, and shrimp, which are all important in fisheries and aquaculture. We have several major thrusts of research in our laboratory. These thrusts include:

(1) Understanding the nutrition and physiology of reproduction and growth in sea urchins. These organisms represent a developing aquaculture and fisheries opportunity in the Gulf of Mexico and the US.

(2) Investigating the environmental physiology, growth, nutrition and digestive physiology of tilapia, crayfish, penaeid shrimp and freshwater prawns. Increased knowledge of these economically important organisms can lead to enhanced aquaculture practices.

(3) Understanding the physiological basis of sex determination and differentiation in tilapia. These studies investigate the role of hormones during early development of the gonads.

(4) Understanding the effects of the physical and chemical environment on nutrition and growth of aquatic species, including pharmacology and toxicology.

(5) Understanding the effects of nutrition and the environment of the body composition of aquatic organisms.

(6) Describing the digestive physiology in relation to early growth in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, leading to an increased knowledge of early nutrition.

(7) Evaluating polyamines and peptides and their relation to growth and osmoregulation in invertebrates, particularly crustaceans.

(8) Aquaponics and hydroponics.

Representative Publications:

Powell, M.L., K. Stuck and S.A. Watts. 1997. Differentiation of postlarvae of Penaeus aztecus and Peneaus duorarum from the Gulf of Mexico using isoelectric focusing. Gulf of Mexico Science. 15(1), 40-45.

Wasson, K.M. and S.A. Watts. 1998. Proscar® (Finasteride) inhibits 5á-reductase in the ovaries and testes of Lytechinus variegatus. Lamarck (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) Comparative Physiology Biochemistry C 120, 425-431.

Wasson, K.M., G.A. Hines and S.A. Watts. 1998. Synthesis of testosterone and 5á -androstanediols during nutritionally stimulated gonadal growth in Lytechinus variegatus in response to feeding. General and Comparative Endocrinology 111, 197-206

Hines, G.A., L.R. Boots, T. Wibbels and S.A. Watts. 1999. Steroid levels and steroid metabolism in relation to early gonadal development in the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Teleostei: Cyprinoidei). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 114, 235-248.

Watts, S.A., S.A. Boettger, J.B. McClintock and J.M. Lawrence. 1998. Gonad production in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus fed prepared diets. J. Shellfish Res. 17(5), 1591-1595.

Wasson, K., B. Gower and S.A. Watts. 2000. Response of the ovaries and testis of Lytechinus variegatus Lamarck (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) to dietary administration of progesterone, testosterone and estradiol. Marine Biology 137 (2), 245-255.

Henry, R.P. and S.A. Watts. 2001. Early carbonic anhydrase induction in the gills of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, during low salinity acclimation is independent of ornithine decarboxylase activity. J. exp. Zool. 289, 350-358.

Lawrence, J.M., A.L. Lawrence, S.C. McBride, S.B. George, S.A. Watts, and L.R. Plank. 2001. Developments in the use of prepared feeds in sea-urchin aquaculture. World Aquaculture. 32 (3), 34-39.

Rowell, C.B., S.A. Watts, T. Wibbels, G.A. Hines and G.C. Mair. 2002. Androgen and Estrogen Metabolism During Sex Differentiation in Mono-sex populations of the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 125, 151-162.

Boettger, S.A., L.E. Thompson, S.A. Watts, J.B. McClintock and J.M. Lawrence. 2002. Episodic rainfall influences the distribution and abundance of the regular sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus in St. Andrew Bay, Northern Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico Science 2002(1), 67-74.

Hofer, S.C. and S.A. Watts. 2002. Cold tolerance in genetically male tilapia (GMT^®), Oreochromis niloticus. World Aquaculture 33(2), 19-21.

Meade, M.E., J.E. Doeller, D.W. Kraus and S.A. Watts. 2002. Effects of temperature and salinity on weight gain, oxygen consumption rate, and growth efficiency in juvenile redclaw crayfish Cherax quadircarinatus. J. World Aquaculture 33(2), 188-198.

Watts, S.A., J. B. McClintock and J.M. Lawrence. 2001. The ecology of Lytechinus variegatus. In: The biology of edible sea urchins, J.M. Lawrence (ed.). Elsevier Press. pp. 375-394.

Wasson, K. and S.A. Watts. 2001. Reproductive endocrinology of sea urchins. In: The biology of edible sea urchins, J.M. Lawrence (ed.). Elsevier Press. pp. 43-58.

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