Description of the data and file structure

This dataset was collected as part of an experimental study investigating morphological differentiation and functional specialization within Platycerium bifurcatum colonies. The study aimed to determine how strap frond traits vary across different ramet positions within the colony and whether these differences correlate with water capture efficiency and other possible functions within the colony.

Strapfrond_measurement_data.csv

• Contains measurements of strap frond morphological traits, as well as reproductive data at the ramet level.
• Columns:
  • Colony_ID: Unique identifier for each colony
  • Ramet_Position: Vertical position within the colony (upper, middle, lower)
  • StrapFrond_Angle: Angle of the strap frond relative to the colony center (degrees)
  • StrapFrond_Rigidity: Measured force (Newtons) required to bend the frond to a 30° angle
  • StrapFrond_Curvature_Width: Width of the curved section of the strap frond (cm)
  • StrapFrond_Curvature_Height: Height of the curved section of the strap frond (cm)
  • StrapFrond_Curvature: Estimated surface of the curved section of the strap frond (cm^2)
  • Total_Strap_Fronds: Total number of strap fronds on the ramet
  • Reproductive_Strap_Fronds: Number of strap fronds bearing spores
  • Ratio: Ratio of reproductive to non-reproductive strap fronds in a ramet
  • Colony_Size: Total number of ramets in the colony

WaterCapture.csv

• Includes data from the water capture experiment, where strap frond morphology was tested for its ability to channel water.
• Columns:
  • Colony_ID: Unique identifier for each colony
  • Ramet_Position: Position within the colony (upper, middle, lower)
  • Water_Captured_ml: Amount of water captured per strap frond (ml)
  • Condition: Control or taped treatment (where taped fronds had their guttering function disabled)

Colony_radius.csv

• Contains measurements of colony radius taken at different vertical locations to assess colony shape.
• Columns:
  • Colony_ID: Unique identifier for each colony
  • Position: Vertical position (upper, middle, lower, midpoint categories)
  • Radius_cm: Measured radius of the colony at the given position (in cm)

light_measurements.csv

• Contains light intensity data recorded at different vertical positions within colonies to assess self-shading effects.
• Columns:
  • Colony_ID: Unique identifier for each colony
  • Position: Vertical position (upper, middle, lower)
  • Light_intensity_lux: Measured light intensity (lux)

Data Collection and Processing

• Data were collected from 29 colonies across a tropical dry forest, with each colony divided into upper, middle, and lower positions for measurements.
• Water capture experiments were performed on a subset of 10 similarly sized colonies, with and without taped fronds to assess guttering function.
• Colony radius and light intensity measurements were taken at different heights to examine self-shading and shape development.
• Statistical analyses, including PCA, ANCOVA, GLMs, beta regression, and ANOVA, were conducted in RStudio (version 4.4.1) after testing for normality and applying transformations where necessary

Usage Notes

• Missing values are indicated as NA.
• Units:
  • Angles are in degrees (°)
  • Rigidity is in Newtons (N)
  • Lengths (curvature width/height, colony radius) are in centimeters (cm)
  • Water capture is in milliliters (ml)
  • Light intensity is in lux
• This dataset can be used for comparative ecological studies on epiphytes, morphological adaptations, and functional trait variation.