Cognitive-Behavioral Divergence Is Greater Across Alternative Male Reproductive Phenotypes Than Between the Sexes in a Wild Wrasse

Sexual selection is a powerful diversifier of phenotype, behavior and cognition. Here we compare cognitive-behavioral traits across four reproductive phenotypes (females three alternative males) wild-caught ocellated wrasse ( Symphodus ocellatus ). Both sex male are environmentally determined with determination occuring within the first year, males transition between 2 years (sneaker to satellite or nesting). We captured 151 tested them on different cognition assays (scototaxis, shoaling, two detour-reaching tasks). found greater divergence than differences sexes in behavior, problem-solving, relationships these traits. Nesting were significantly less bold others, while sneaker faster problem-solvers only phenotype display syndrome (significant correlation boldness problem-solving speed). Combining results prior measurements steroid stress hormone males, suggests that nesting represent coping styles. Our data transitioning requires more changes physiology (size ornamentation) mating tactic (sneaking vs. cooperation), but also involves significant shifts style plasticity.