Individual differences in spatial learning are correlated across tasks but not with stress response behaviour in guppies

Cognition is vital for carrying out behaviours required survival and reproduction. Cognitive performance varies between species, but also individuals within populations. While variation a prerequisite natural selection, selection does not act on traits in isolation. The extent to which cognitive covary with other aspects of phenotype (e.g. personality traits) may be important shaping evolutionary dynamics. Here we adopted multivariate approach test spatial learning male Poecilia reticulata asked whether differences are associated (repeatable) stress response behaviour. Functional links ‘stress coping style’ have been hypothesized. Furthermore, individual level studies typically rely multiple testing paradigms that themselves stressor. There risk responsiveness itself cause apparent, artefactual variance ability. Fish repeatedly experienced two tasks (maze layouts) an acute (open field trial). We found repeatable across maze layouts. On average, improved experience the first maze, consistent learning, second. Individuals varied trajectory mean trial number both mazes, suggesting they differ ‘learning rate’. Acute behaviour was predicted neither average time solve nor rate. no support between-individual correlation performance. However, highlight possibility cumulative, chronic effects nevertheless declines some (leading lack improvement second maze). If so, this represent pervasive difficult challenge our ability robustly estimate rates animal cognition.