People
Stephanie Wong
I am a first year Ph.D student and my area of research focuses on male mate choice and female sexual selection in convict cichlid fish (Amatitlania nigrofasciata). This is one of the few vertebrate species that has reverse sexual dimorphism such that females bear elaborate orange patches while males do not. The literature has noted that elaborate ornamentations, like a male peacock's feather train, are indicative of an individual's fitness and likelihood to attract a mate: the more grand the ornament, the more likely it will be selected. I am interested in finding out whether male convict cichlids exhibit mate choice or just randomly associate with any female. If they do make a choice, what do they base their choice on? Do females with a brighter orange patch get selected? Individuals of this species are naturally territorial and aggressive due to their defense of their home, mate, and offspring. Do males select more aggressive females over those who are less aggressive? Parasites are problematic for many organisms, and can most likely reduce the health (i.e. immunity) of convict cichlids. Do individuals infected with parasites display a compromised immune system and if so, how does this impact mate choice? Also, it has been shown that high levels of cortisol and testosterone are associated with decreased immune function. What is the relationship, if any, among compromised immunity, hormone levels, and mate choice? How would injecting individuals with varying doses of cortisol and testosterone impact immune function and as a result, mate choice? These are all questions I hope to explore by utilizing behavioral experiments in the laboratory, running hormone and immunological assays, as well as studying the convict cichlids in their natural habitat (freshwater lakes and streams in Costa Rica and Nicaragua). Contact: Email Steph
Publications
Wong S, Dykstra M, Campbell J & Earley RL (2008). Measuring water-borne cortisol in convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata): is the procedure a stressor? Behaviour 145: 1283-1305 - Wong S, Sivaraman B, Stephenson H, Miller K & Earley RL. Aggression alone does not trigger changes in endocrine status in the convict cichlid fish (Amatitlania nigrofasciata). Submitted to Hormones & Behavior