Data from: The relationship between male sexual signals, cognitive performance, and mating success in stickleback fish

Cognitive ability varies dramatically among individuals, yet the manner in which this variation correlates with reproduction has rarely been investigated. Here, we ask 1) do male sexual signals reflect their cognitive ability, and 2) is cognitive ability associated with male mating success? Specifically, we presented threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) with a detour-reaching task to assess initial inhibitory control. Fish that performed better were those who solved the detour-reaching task, solved it faster, and required fewer attempts to solve. We then reexamined males’ performance on this task over several days to assess learning ability in this context. We next measured sexual signals (coloration, nest area, and courtship vigor) and asked if they reveal information about these male cognitive abilities. Finally, we examined whether success at attracting a female is associated with male cognition. After controlling for the strong effect of neophobia, we found that no measured sexual signals were associated with initial inhibitory control. Sexual signals were also not associated with change in performance on the detour-reaching task over time (learning). However, females preferred mating with males who had better initial inhibitory control. We speculate that inhibitory control is a critical trait for male sticklebacks. In this system, males perform all parental care, but must avoid eating their own fry which closely resemble their prey items. Therefore, males with better inhibitory control may be more likely to successfully raise their offspring to independence. Our research adds to a growing list of mating systems and taxa in which cognition is important for measures related to fitness.个体间的认知能力差异悬殊，但此类差异与繁殖成功之间的关联模式却鲜有研究。本研究旨在解答两个核心问题：其一，雄性的性信号是否能反映其认知能力？其二，认知能力是否与雄性的交配成功率相关？具体而言，我们通过迂回取食任务（detour-reaching task）评估了三棘刺鱼（Gasterosteus aculeatus）的初始抑制控制能力。表现更优的个体，指能够完成该任务、完成速度更快且所需尝试次数更少的个体。随后，我们在数天内重复检测雄性刺鱼在该任务中的表现，以评估其在此场景下的学习能力。接下来，我们测定了雄性的性信号指标（包括体色、巢区面积与求偶活力），并探究这些性信号是否能够传递雄性认知能力的相关信息。最后，我们检验了雄性吸引雌性的成功率是否与其认知能力相关。在控制了新异反应（neophobia）的显著影响后，我们发现所有检测的性信号均与初始抑制控制能力无显著关联；性信号也与雄性在该任务中随时间推移的表现变化（即学习能力）无关。但研究结果显示，雌性更倾向于与初始抑制控制能力更强的雄性交配。我们推测，抑制控制能力是雄性三棘刺鱼的关键适应性性状。在该物种的繁殖系统中，雄性承担全部育幼职责，但需避免捕食与猎物形态高度相似的幼鱼。因此，抑制控制能力更强的雄性，更有可能成功抚育幼鱼直至其独立。本研究进一步丰富了认知能力对适合度相关指标具有重要作用的繁殖系统与类群的研究案例库。