Age ratio in groups of a social ungulate affects epizoochorous dispersal and diaspore exchanges
Data files
May 18, 2026 version files 51.18 MB
-
Daily_data.csv
7.89 KB
-
Individual_data.csv
379 B
-
Raw_data.csv
51.11 MB
-
README.md
4.75 KB
-
Script.R
52.01 KB
-
Wool_data.csv
3.37 KB
Abstract
This dataset contains experimental data on epizoochorous dispersal of cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) diaspores by groups of six domestic sheep (Ovis aries), including ewes and ewe-lambs. We tested 4 group compositions with 0, 2, 4 or 6 ewe-lambs in the group. Each group composition was replicated 4 times (one replication per day, with a monitoring lasting 6 hours). We traced each diaspore fate during six-hour sessions where we recorded movements, physical interactions among individuals and individual behaviour resulting in diaspore detachment or exchange. As expected, we found shorter retention times and dispersal distances and more diaspore exchanges as the proportion of ewe-lamb increases in the groups. Shaking, then scratching were the main behaviours leading to diaspore loss. Non-intentional contacts between individuals were the most frequent interactions associated with diaspore exchange.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.brv15dvpx
Description of the data and file structure
Data were collected on sheep (ewes and ewe-lambs) and cockelbur (Xanthium strumarium) diaspores attached on their flanks. We collected diaspore retention times, dispersal distances and diaspore exchanges. We also recorded individual behaviour and interactions between individuals.
Files and variables
File: Daily_data.csv
Description: Daily information of distance travelled, diaspore load, diaspore gain and behavioural (interactions and autogrooming) items per individual, and Wind Chill Index daily values
Variables
Id : row ID
Date : date DD/MM/YYYY
Day : Day number
Compo : group composition (ex : 4 Ewe-lambs and 2 Ewes = 4_2)
Replicate : replicate number
Actor : daily ID
Individual : unique individual ID
Age : age classes (Ewe-lamb / Ewe)
Cumulative_distance_m_end : distance traveled during a session by an individual
Remaining_diaspores_end : number of remaining diaspores at the end of the session per individual
Initial_diaspores_end : number of remaining initial diaspores at the end of the session per individual (this excludes gained diaspores, including those of the initial color)
Cumulative_gain_end : daily number of diaspore gains by an individual
Nb_autogrooming_end : daily number of autogrooming act by an individual
Nb_interaction_end : daily number of social interaction by an individual
WCI : Wind chill index (°C)
File: Individual_data.csv
Description: Individual characteristics (age class, age in days and weight) of each animal used in the experiment
Variables
Individual : unique individual ID
Age : age classes (Ewe-lamb / Ewe)
Age_day : individuals age in day when they were weighted
Weight : weight in gramms
File: Wool_data.csv
Description: Characteristics of wool length and thickness for each individual used in the experiment
Variables
Date : Date : date DD/MM/YYYY
Week : week number
Individual : unique individual ID
Age : age classes (Ewe-lamb / Ewe)
Thickness_area1 : wool thickness in spot 1 (mm)
Length_area1 : wool lentgth in spot 1 (mm)
Thickness_area2 : wool thickness in spot 2 (mm)
Length_area2 : wool lentgth in spot 2 (mm)
Thickness_area3 : wool thickness in spot 3 (mm)
Length_area3 : wool lentght in spot 3 (mm)
Length_mean : mean wool lentgth of the individual (mm)
Thickness_mean : mean wool thickness of the individual (mm)
File: Raw_data.csv
Description: Movement (speed, distance), individual position, individual position change, behavioural items (autogrooming, social interactions) and diaspore fate (gain/loss) in relation with a given behavioural item
Variables
Id : row Id
Date : date DD/MM/YYYY
Hour : hour HH:MM
Time_s : the duration of the experiment in seconds
Time_m : the duration of the experiment in minutes
Compo : groupe composition (ex : 4 Ewe-lamb and 2 Ewes = 4_2)
Replicate : replicate number
Actor : daily ID
Individual : unique individual ID
Age : age classes (Ewe-lamb / Ewe)
Longitude : longitude (Lambert_93)
Latitude : latitude (Lambert_93)
Speed_m_s : instant speed of the individual in meters per seconde
Cumulative_distance_m : instant cumulative distance in meters of the individual during the session
Position : lying or standing
Transition : lying down or standing up. "None" indicated for empty cells.
Autogrooming : individual grooming behaviours. "None" indicated for empty cells.
Interactions : social interactions "None" indicated for empty cells.
Beneficiary : daily ID's behaviour recipient. "N/A" is recorded in the Beneficiary variable when no seed exchange is observed
Gain_behav : number of instant diaspore gain caused by a behaviour
Loss_behav : number of instant diaspore loss caused by a behaviour
Initial_diaspores : instant number remaining diaspores placed on the sheep at the beginning of the session (this excludes gained diaspores, including those of the initial color). "N/A" is recorded when no movement of initial diaspores is observed, for scripting purposes.
Cumulative_gain : instant cumulative diaspore gain during the session
Current_seed_carried : instant number of diaspores carried by an individual
Instant_seed_loss : instant number of diaspore loss
Instant_seed_gain : instant number of diaspore gain
Code/software
The Script.R file allows to run the analyses performed in the R environment.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- None
Data was derived from the following sources:
- None