This dataset contains behavioral observations, risk-assessment metrics, and time-budget data for coral reef fishes across a latitudinal gradient. The study compares various antipredator behaviors between tropical and sympatric native-temperate fish species at multiple locations along the southeast Australian coast.

General Information

• Article Title: Coral-reef fishes can become more risk-averse at their poleward range limits
• Principal Investigators: Ericka Coni
• Institutions: University of Adelaide; University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
• Contact: erickacconi@gmail.com
• Geographic Coverage: South-east Australian coast, spanning a 730 km latitudinal temperature gradient.
• Temporal Coverage: 2018–2019

Data File Descriptions

1. Proc._B_data.xlsx - Fig 1a; Fig. S5; Table S3; S4

• Description: Primary data for Flight Initiation Distance (FID) and escape performance across latitudes.
• Key Columns:
  • latitude: Relative position along the gradient (Low vs. High).
  • species: Species identification codes (avai = Abudefduf vaigiensis, anig = Acanthurus nigrofuscus, atri = Acanthurus triostegus, Stri = Microcanthus strigatus ,  Mado = Atypichthys strigatus).
  • size.cat: Life stage or size category (e.g., "rec" for recruits).
  • FID: Flight Initiation Distance (cm) — the distance at which the fish initiated an escape response from an approaching stimulus.
  • escape.distance: Total distance covered during the flight (cm).
  • escape.speed: calculated by dividing the escape distance by the escape duration (cm s⁻¹).

2. Proc._B_data.xlsx - Fig 1 b,c,d; Table S5; S6

• Description: Summary of time budgets and activity levels.
• Key Columns:
  • feeding.time: Percentage of the observation period spent foraging.
  • sheltered: Percentage of time spent utilizing protective habitat or shelter.
  • activity: Proportion of time in a general movement/activity.
  • species: Species identification codes (avai = Abudefduf vaigiensis, anig = Acanthurus nigrofuscus, atri = Acanthurus triostegus, Stri = Microcanthus strigatus ,  Mado = Atypichthys strigatus).

3. Proc._B_data.xlsx - Fig 2a; Table S7a

• Description: Analysis of risk-aversion (FID) with a focus on seasonal variability and fish size category.
• Key Columns:
  • latitude: Relative position along the gradient (Low vs. Middle vs. High).
  • species: Species identification codes (avai = Abudefduf vaigiensis, anig = Acanthurus nigrofuscus, atri = Acanthurus triostegus, Stri = Microcanthus strigatus ,  Mado = Atypichthys strigatus)
  • season: Time of year (summer vs. winter) to account for temperature-dependent behavioral shifts.
  • FID: Distance of initiation of flight.
  • size.cat: fish size categories (rec = recruits; juv = juvenile)

4. Proc._B_data.xlsx - Fig 2 b, c, d; Table S7b

• Description: Seasonal behavioral comparisons specifically at range-limit sites like Sydney.
• Key Columns:
  • season: Time of year (summer vs. winter) to account for temperature-dependent behavioral shifts within the Sydney region.
  • region: Sydney was the only location where escape behaviors were sampled across two different seasons, allowing for controlled seasonal comparisons of antipredator behavior.
  • sheltered: Percentage of time spent utilizing protective habitat or shelter.
  • Feeding Time: Proportion of time spent in foraging activities.
  • activity: Proportion of time (active) moving around.

5. Proc._B_data.xlsx - Fig 3, table S8; S9

• Description: Proportion of time feeding in differents shelter position (exposed vs. crevice or under an overhanging rock)
• Key Columns:
  • feeding.shelter: proportion of time (%) in which the fish was feeding when a crevice or under an overhanging rock.
  • feeding.near: proportion of time (%) in which the fish was feeding at a distance from 0–5 times their body length to the nearest shelter.
  • feeding.exposed: proportion of time (%) in which the fish was feeding > 5 times their body length away from the nearest shelter.
  • shelter.time: proportion of time (%) in which the fish was inside crevices or under an overhanging rock.
  • near.shelter: proportion of time (%) in which the fish was at a distance from 0–5 times their body length to the nearest shelter.
  • exposed.time: proportion of time (%) in which the fish was at > 5 times their body length away from the nearest shelter.
  • species: Species identification codes (avai = Abudefduf vaigiensis, anig = Acanthurus nigrofuscus, atri = Acanthurus triostegus, Stri = Microcanthus strigatus ,  Mado = Atypichthys strigatus).

Missing Values

• Empty Cells: In Sheets 1 and 3, some cells remain empty. These represent Not Available (n/a) data where a specific measurement could not be accurately recorded during the underwater observation session due to environmental interference or the fish moving out of sight.
• Script Compatibility: These cells are left blank to ensure compatibility with R and Python analysis scripts, which interpret empty cells as NA (Null).

Methodology Summary

Data were collected via underwater visual censuses (UVC) along a 730 km latitudinal gradient on the SE Australian coast. We tested whether tropical vagrants exhibit higher risk-aversion compared to sympatric temperate natives as they approach their poleward range limits. Behavioral metrics include standardized Flight Initiation Distance (FID) and detailed time-activity budgets to quantify trade-offs between foraging and antipredator vigilance.

Usage Instructions

1. Software: Files are provided in xlsx format
2. Missing Values: Denoted as NA.
3. License: This dataset is released under a CC0 1.0 Universal (Public Domain) license.