Student research in my lab is focused primarily on mate choice and
parental behavior in tropical freshwater cichlid fish from South and
Central America. We are currently studying the evolution of sexual
dimorphism and sexual dichromatism (sexual selection) as it impacts
mate choice in species of the genus Cryptoheros by videographic
behavioral analysis of their social interactions in large colonies
(mate choice and territoriality) and in controlled 'multiple-choice'
single fish experiments.
Representative Studies:
- Reverse Sexual Dichromatism and Aggression in the Topaz Cichlid,
Cryptoheros septemfasciatus, with Jenna Breslin ('06).
- Sex-Specific Parental Care Duties in the Convict Cichlid, Cryptoheros
nigrofasciatus, with Ashley Rettew ('06).
- The Significance of Female Size and Ventral Coloration on Male Mate
Choice in the Topaz Cichlid, Cryptoheros septemfasciatus, with
Adam Lindsay ('04).
Representative Publications:
- Leibel, W. , 2003. The Evolution of Mouthbrooding in South American Eartheaters. Journal of the American Cichlid Association 216 (June): 1-19.
- Leibel, W., 2003. Evolutionary Transitions in Parental Care in Cichlid fish.
Journal of the American Cichlid Association 215 (April): 18-23.
- Leibel, W. 1995. Electrophoretic Analysis of LDH Phenotype Supports Splitting of the Genus Geophagus sensu Gosse (Teleostei, Cichlidae). Copeia 1995(1): 217 - 223.
Last updated 6/10/07
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