1. Data Structure and File Preparation

The original dataset was compiled as a single stacked data frame in Microsoft Excel (.xlsx format), with each row representing an individual observation within a behavioral trail.

For analysis and data sharing, the dataset was separated by trial type: 
Pairs
2M1F Trios (two males, one female), 
2F1M Trios (two females, one male)

Each trial type was exported as a separate comma-separated values (.csv) file to facilitate analysis in R. We have included our original data set called OriginalData.xlsx, as well as the .csv files that correspond to each of the three worksheets within this Excel file.

2. Aggression Analyses and Data Organization

For aggression analyses, we maintained the stacked data structure and used random effects to account for repeated measures within trials and IDs. Files used for these analyses are labeled as ‘Original’ (PairsOriginal.csv, Trios2M1FOriginal.csv, Trios2F1MOriginal.csv).

Across both Pairs and Trios datasets, files include columns for: 
Sex
Size (as described in Methods), 
Relative Size (as described in Methods), 
Individual ID
Behavioral variables (described using full descriptive names)
, and a column recording copulatory behavior with end time, which was not used in statistical analyses due to the low frequency of copulation events across trials.

Aggression summary variables

Two aggression-related summary columns are presented in these files: 
AggressionAll – numerical percentage of aggressive acts relative to all recorded interactions
AggressionMeaningful – numerical percentage of aggressive acts relative to all interactions excluding incidental contact. These columns were not used in the statistical analyses. Instead, we recalculated aggression from the underlying behavioral data and modeled it as a proportion using a beta distribution, as detailed in Methods.

TotalInteractions

Sum of: I + OS + DS + A + FF

Trio-specific variables

In trio datasets (Trios2M1FModified.csv and Trios2F1MModified.csv), additional columns were included to facilitate tracking of individual identity and interaction direction: 
SizeClassification (column E): size class designationof same-sex individuals within a trial; used solely for bookkeeping, as size and relative size are continuous variables.

dots (column G): number of white-out dots applied to individuals to distinguish same-sex individuals in video recordings

Directional interaction columns (K – L): Indicate the direction of interactions and whether behaviors were directed towards a member of the same or opposite sex (col L). These columns were not used duringthe aggression analysis.

LargeSize / SmallSize / MaleSize / FemaleSize: Pronotum width (mm) of each individual in the trio.

Pronotum width (mm) / Size: Same measurement — pronotum width in millimeters.

6th Abdominal width (mm): Width of the 6th abdominal segment.

LS: Large vs Small; LM: Large vs Medium; SL: Small vs Large; SM: Small vs Medium; ML: Male Large vs Male Small; MS: Male Small vs Male Large; LF: Large Male vs Female; SF: Small Male vs Female; FL: Female vs Large Male; FS: Female vs Small Male

3. Mating Analyses and Data Organization

For mating analyses (mate preference and predicting copulatory behavior), we manually reshaped datasets from the original stacked format to a trial -level wide format. These files are labeled as ‘Modified” (e.g., PairsModified.csv). This restructuring allowed measurements and behaviors from both individuals in a pair to be reshaped within a single row, facilitating analyses of mating outcomes.

Variable naming conventions – Pairs

In PairsModified datasets:
 Column names beginning with ‘F’ refer to the female in the pair. Column names beginning with ‘M’ refer to the male in the pair.
FF (col H): refers to the presence or absence of forceps-to-forceps contact during the trial. FFCount (col I): refers to the number of forceps-to-forceps contact events observed during a trial. This was not used in our analyses.

The prefix-based naming convention distinguishes sex-specific morphological measurements, relative size metrics, behavioral counts, and aggression summaries within pair trials. All variables retain the same definitions and calculation methods as in the original stacked datasets; only the data structure and column naming were modified.

Variable naming conventions – Trios

For mating and courtship analyses in Trio,s we used a distinct naming convention to track identity, sex, and directionality of interactions.

Most behavioral columns follow a four-character structur e: 
First two letters indicate the individuals involved:
L = Large same-sex individual (males in 2M1F, females in 2F1M)
S = Small same-sex individual (males in 2M1F, females in 2F1M)
M or F = lone-sex individual (male in 2F1M, female in 2M1F)
For directional behaviors (strikes and retreats), letter order denotes actor recipient
Second two letters indicate behavior
OS – offensive strikes, DS – defensive strikes, TS – total strikes, IC – incidental contact, A - antennation, Ret – retreats.

Examples
LS_TS: Large same-sex individual,  Small same-sex individual, total strikes
SM_A: Small same sex individual with lone-sex Male, antennation

Special variables

Several columns do not follow the general naming convention and are documented separately: 
SizeClass (column F): initial size class of the lone-sex individual; reassigned later and not used in analyses
XYRelative (columns G – L): relative size where X is the focal individual and Y is the opponent, following the same identity codes described above
FF (column AT): binary indicator of forceps-to-forceps contact during a trial
FF_OSex (column AU): indicates which same-sex individual engaged in forceps to forceps contact with the lone-sex individual (L = Large, S = Small, B = Both)
LS_FF_Count, LM_FF_Count, SM_FF_count (columns AV – AX): counts of forceps-to-forceps contact events by dyad.
Aggression summary columns (cols BE-BP, AA - AggressionAll, AM - AggressionMeaningful) follow the same definitions described for Aggression analyses. These summary columns were not used in courtship or mating analyses

Time to 1st copulation: Minutes until first mating.

#copulations / forcep-forcep contacts: Number of mating-related events.

Total duration of copulations: Total mating time.

% time in contact (X/120 min): Percent of 2-hour trial spent in contact.

Right vs left penis extended: Morphological mating variable.

Length of extended virga: Measurement of reproductive organ length.

4. Other Notes

Retreat behaviors (movement away from an advancing opponent) were recorded in trios but were not used in any analysis. 
Size was measured in cm; all other variables are unitless