Spatial learning is an important cognitive function found across a multitude of species. Natural selection can enhance specific cognitive abilities depending on species ecology but, under certain conditions, spatial learning is also known to vary between sexes according to reproductive status. Despite abundant studies on spatial learning across animal taxa, those focusing on sexually dimorphic spatial learning have been largely limited to rodents. Here, we found that spatial cognition varies between the sexes in an intertidal goby, and this difference fluctuates across seasons. Males and females demonstrated similar cognitive abilities when solving a simple maze during all seasons except spring, when males were significantly less successful than females. Spring marks the beginning of the breeding season for this species, when females move between nests to choose a suitable mate, while males guard their nest and forego foraging excursions. We suggest that the reduction in male cognitive ability reduces metabolic costs at a time of reduced need. This study presents the first evidence for sexually dimorphic spatial learning in fish driven by differences in reproductive behaviour as dictated by the mating system.

中文翻译：

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性双态空间学习的季节性变化意味着潮间可可Frillgoby（Bathygobius cocosensis）的交配系统。

空间学习是跨多种物种发现的重要认知功能。自然选择可以根据物种生态学来增强特定的认知能力，但是在某些条件下，还知道空间学习会根据生殖状况在性别之间发生变化。尽管对跨动物类群的空间学习进行了大量研究，但那些侧重于性二形空间学习的研究在很大程度上仅限于啮齿动物。在这里，我们发现潮间虾虎鱼的性别之间的空间认知有所不同，并且这种差异随季节而波动。在除春季以外的所有季节中，男性和女性在解决简单迷宫时都表现出相似的认知能力，春季除外，春季男性的成功率明显低于女性。春天是该物种繁殖季节的开始，当雌性在巢穴之间移动以选择合适的伴侣时，雄性则守卫巢穴并放弃觅食旅行。我们建议，男性认知能力的降低会在需求减少时降低代谢成本。这项研究提供了由交配系统决定的繁殖行为差异驱动的鱼类性二形空间学习的第一个证据。