Science and categories: Representations of mating behaviour in convict cichlids (Archocentrus nigrofasciatum)

My dissertation both presents research on color signals in female convict cichlids and questions the conventions of scientific knowledge construction and the possibility of feminist science using the research field of animal behavioural ecology, specifically sexual selection research.; The first two chapters of my dissertation consider the current state of research on female signals in fish and why study of female ornamental traits has lagged behind study of male ornamental traits. I evaluate feminist contributions to animal behavior research and consider how my perspective on gender and animal behavior research has changed during my graduate career. I review research on coloration in female cichlids and propose areas for future work. The next three chapters present the results of my research on coloration in female convict cichlids (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus or Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum). The first chapter presents evidence that coloration is a sexually selected, condition dependent trait in female convict cichlids. The next chapter explores the effect of food amount and carotenoid content on coloration, fecundity and physical condition. I am exploring the idea that coloration is an honest signal of condition and fecundity because of its connection with what the fish eat. The third chapter examines the behavioral consequences of coloration, specifically how it affects mate sampling behavior and spawning success.; In the concluding chapter I return to the issues raised in my introduction so that I can position my research on convict cichlids within the larger framework of scientific knowledge construction. I consider how field specific assumptions affect scientific knowledge construction. I use both the research in my dissertation and other work in the animal behavior literature as examples.