Caitlin's research centers on the reproductive ecology of birds and mammals. Her dissertation work on Golden-mantled ground squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) used long-term demography, behavioral observations, and molecular tools to investigate variation in female life-histories. Caitlin also works on patterns of hybridization in the endangered Koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana), and the evolution of monochromatism in island waterfowl. She was a member of the Graduate Group in Ecology at UC Davis, with an emphasis in Conservation Ecology, and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado. See more at her website.
Peer-reviewed publications:
Wells, C.P. and D. H. Van Vuren. 2018. Developmental and social constraints on early reproduction in an asocial mammal. Journal of Zoology https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12569 (early view online)
Wells, C.P., and D.H. Van Vuren. 2017. Female kin density affects offspring sex ratio in an asocial mammal, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Callospermophilus lateralis. Animal Behaviour 134:71-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.004
Wells, C. P., K. M. Tomalty, C. H. Floyd, M. B. McElreath, B. P. May, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2017. Determinants of multiple paternity in a fluctuating population of ground squirrels. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 71(2): 1-13. doi:10.1007/s00265-017-2270-z
Meek, M. H., C. P. Wells, K. M. Tomalty, et al. 2016. We should not be afraid to talk about fear of failure in conservation. Biological Conservation 194: 218-219. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.12.012
Moore, J. F., C. P. Wells, D. H. Van Vuren, M.K. Oli. 2016. Who pays? Intra- versus inter-generational costs of reproduction. Ecosphere 7: e01236. doi:10.1002/ecs2.1236
Meek, M. H., C. Wells, K. M. Tomalty, et al. 2015. Fear of failure in conservation: the problem and potential solutions to aid conservation of extremely small populations. Biological Conservation 184: 209-217. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.01.025.
Caro, T., J. Darwin, T. Forrester, C. LeDoux-Bloom, and C. Wells. 2012. Conservation in the Anthropocene. Conservation Biology 26: 185-188. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2011.01.01752.x.
*reprinted in Weurthner, G., E. Crist, and T. Butler, Eds. 2014. Keeping the Wild: Against the Domestication of Earth. Island Press.
Technical reports:
Wells, C.P., S. Turnbull, P. Lavretsky, J. M. Eadie, and A. Engilis, Jr. 2016. Determining level of hybridization between Hawaiian ducks (Anas wyvilliana) and Mallards (A. platyrhynchos) on Oahu. Project Report, Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Popular press:
2014 Science matters: Why you should know about the ESA meeting. By Elizabeth Case, Davis Enterprise.
2014 Campaign urges greater awareness of need to protect endangered duck. By Noelle Fujii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
2013 A Gothic Story, Crested Butte News, Crested Butte, CO. June 20, 2013.
2012 Golden-mantled ground squirrel study completes twenty-third year. By Anthony Stroh, RMBL Newsletter.
2012 Bad Wyoming ground squirrels invading the western slope. By Nancy Loftholm, Denver Post.
2012 Radio interview with I See Change, KVNF Public Radio, Paonia, CO., used in This American Life radio episode 495 “Hot in My Backyard.”
Wells, C.P. and D. H. Van Vuren. 2018. Developmental and social constraints on early reproduction in an asocial mammal. Journal of Zoology https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12569 (early view online)
Wells, C.P., and D.H. Van Vuren. 2017. Female kin density affects offspring sex ratio in an asocial mammal, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Callospermophilus lateralis. Animal Behaviour 134:71-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.004
Wells, C. P., K. M. Tomalty, C. H. Floyd, M. B. McElreath, B. P. May, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2017. Determinants of multiple paternity in a fluctuating population of ground squirrels. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 71(2): 1-13. doi:10.1007/s00265-017-2270-z
Meek, M. H., C. P. Wells, K. M. Tomalty, et al. 2016. We should not be afraid to talk about fear of failure in conservation. Biological Conservation 194: 218-219. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.12.012
Moore, J. F., C. P. Wells, D. H. Van Vuren, M.K. Oli. 2016. Who pays? Intra- versus inter-generational costs of reproduction. Ecosphere 7: e01236. doi:10.1002/ecs2.1236
Meek, M. H., C. Wells, K. M. Tomalty, et al. 2015. Fear of failure in conservation: the problem and potential solutions to aid conservation of extremely small populations. Biological Conservation 184: 209-217. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.01.025.
Caro, T., J. Darwin, T. Forrester, C. LeDoux-Bloom, and C. Wells. 2012. Conservation in the Anthropocene. Conservation Biology 26: 185-188. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2011.01.01752.x.
*reprinted in Weurthner, G., E. Crist, and T. Butler, Eds. 2014. Keeping the Wild: Against the Domestication of Earth. Island Press.
Technical reports:
Wells, C.P., S. Turnbull, P. Lavretsky, J. M. Eadie, and A. Engilis, Jr. 2016. Determining level of hybridization between Hawaiian ducks (Anas wyvilliana) and Mallards (A. platyrhynchos) on Oahu. Project Report, Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Popular press:
2014 Science matters: Why you should know about the ESA meeting. By Elizabeth Case, Davis Enterprise.
2014 Campaign urges greater awareness of need to protect endangered duck. By Noelle Fujii, Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
2013 A Gothic Story, Crested Butte News, Crested Butte, CO. June 20, 2013.
2012 Golden-mantled ground squirrel study completes twenty-third year. By Anthony Stroh, RMBL Newsletter.
2012 Bad Wyoming ground squirrels invading the western slope. By Nancy Loftholm, Denver Post.
2012 Radio interview with I See Change, KVNF Public Radio, Paonia, CO., used in This American Life radio episode 495 “Hot in My Backyard.”
