Social and neuroendocrine paths to sexual phenotype

Is it possible to switch between male and female? How rapidly can organisms change sex? Why would an organism opt to fertilize itself? What are the behavioral rules that underlie sex change? Can clones exhibit variability in behavior and neuroendocrine function? What triggers behavioral, anatomical, and physiological alteration during sex change?

Fishes are known for extraordinary diversity in reproductive strategies. I've had the unique opportunity to study
a couple of species that exhibit extreme reproductive tactics - one that can change sex in both directions, from
female to male...and back again (Lythrypnus dalli), and another that is a self-fertilizing hermaphrodite known to
produce clonal offspring (Kryptobelias marmoratus). Importantly, my work on these species is deeply informed by
behavioral ecological and evolutionary theory but I also tackle questions related to the development of behavioral
variation, and the potential proximate mechanisms (from genes to social context) that regulate 'decisions' about
reproductive investment in sex-changers. Investigations into these topics entail field work that focuses on the ecology
and behavior of the species, coupled with rigorous histological, hormonal, and neurobiological assays during 'down
time' in the laboratory.