Blow fly sampling in Southern California, 2022-2023
Data files
Sep 25, 2026 version files 151.56 KB
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open_research_data.xlsx
148.95 KB
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README.md
2.61 KB
Abstract
This dataset includes blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) communities across four ecoregions in Southern California, and local environmental conditions measured using data loggers or nearby weather stations. Collected between 2022 and 2023, the dataset includes collection date, seasonal classification, environmental variables (temperature and relative humidity), trap duration, geographic location (latitude, longitude, ecoregion), and detailed species data (sex-specific and total counts). Environmental data were sourced from HOBO loggers or weather stations and aligned with sampling events. These data support investigations of metacommunity structure, particularly the roles of environmental filtering and dispersal across spatial scales. The dataset enables reuse in studies of necrophagous insect ecology, climate change impacts, and biodiversity monitoring in fragmented landscapes. No personally identifiable or ethically sensitive information is included. Users should cite the dataset when used and consult associated publications for methodological context and analytical frameworks.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr38
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset was collected as part of a study investigating the spatial and environmental processes that shape blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) metacommunity structure across southern California. The sampling effort spanned four ecoregions and was designed to capture species composition and abiotic conditions associated with ephemeral resource patches (ERPs) across space and time.
Sampling was completed quarterly to represent seasonal variation, and environmental data, including temperature and relative humidity, were recorded either using on-site HOBO data loggers or from nearby weather stations. Each trap recorded the number of male and female individuals by species, along with data including date, duration of trap deployment, and precise geographic location. The goal was to disentangle the relative contributions of dispersal (mass effects) and environmental filtering (species sorting) to community assembly at multiple spatial scales. Any NA represents missing data.
Files and variables
File: open_research_data.xlsx
Description: This spreadsheet contains blow fly community data and associated environmental variables collected across four ecoregions in southern California. The dataset is organized by sampling event and includes metadata for date, location, trap deployment, species composition, and abiotic conditions.
Variables (also included in datasheet)
- open_research_data.xlsx: full dataset
- YEAR: Sampling year (YYYY)
- DATE: Sampling date (YYYYMMDD)
- SEASON: Quarterly season of sampling (e.g., Winter, Spring)
- SEASONAL: Categorization of season as cold or hot
- MIN_TEMP, MAX_TEMP, MEAN-TEMP, TEMP-RANGE: Minimum, maximum, mean, and range of temperature during trap deployment (°F)
- MIN_RH, MAX_RH, MEAN-RH, RH-RANGE: Minimum, maximum, mean, and range of relative humidity during trap deployment (%)
- TIME_IN, TIME_OUT, HRS_OUT: Time trap was deployed, retrieved, and total hours deployed
- LOCATION_ID: Unique site ID for each sampling location
- LATITUDE, LONGITUDE: Geographic coordinates of the trap site
- ECOREGION: Name of the ecoregion
- ECOREGION_ID, ECOREGION_NO: Ecoregion identifiers (coded and USGS number)
- GENUS, SPECIES_EP, SPECIES: Taxonomic identification of collected blow flies
- F_NO, M_NO, TOTAL_NO: Number of females, males, and total flies collected per species per event
- TEMP_FROM: Source of environmental data (HOBO logger or weather station)