Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.hhmgqnkx7

Description of the data and file structure

These data were collected from a multigenerational laboratory experiment using Trinidadian killifish (Anablepsoides hartii) originating from high-predation (HP) and predator-free (killifish-only; KO) populations across three rivers in Trinidad. Wild-caught F0 fish were bred in the laboratory to generate F1 and F2 generations under common garden conditions. In the focal experiment, maternal (F2) and offspring (F3) food environments were manipulated in a fully factorial design (high vs. low food) to test alternative mechanisms of transgenerational plasticity.

Eggs produced by F2 females were collected daily and monitored to quantify egg developmental rate. After hatching, F3 offspring were reared under assigned food treatments and measured for body mass and body condition. Population identity, family structure, and parental identities were recorded to allow pedigree-based analyses. The dataset therefore includes individual-level measurements of life-history traits, experimental treatment assignments, population of origin, and pedigree information necessary for animal model analyses.

Files and variables

File: Raw_Pedigree.csv

Description: Tracked register of individuals from field collection through 3 generations of breeding (F0, F1 & F2). This file is used to inform the animal model random effects.

Variables

• ID: Individual identification number
• dam: Maternal identification number. NA represents a lack of history in the wild-caught individuals.
• sire: Paternal identification number. NA represents a lack of history in the wild-caught individuals.

File: Code_ME_26.R

Description: The code that allows the reproduction of all analyses and figures presented in the associated manuscript.

File: ME_Data_26.csv

Description: Raw data of life history traits, experimental conditions, and lineage history of each focal individual. The file serves as the primary file for data analysis. Each row refers to a unique F3 individual.

Variables

• Effective_River: A two-letter code that is used for analyses to inform the site of origin. AM = Arima, AP = Aripo, EC = El Cedro. This column differs from the 'River' variable by combining AP and NA (Naranjo), as the NA is a tributary of AP, and fish were interbred between these two collection sites of the same river. 
• River: A two-letter code denoting the river of wild caught individuals were taken from. AM = Arima, AP = Aripo, NA = Naranjo, EC = El Cedro.
• Population: This variable refers to the evolutionary presence of predators at the focal sites within in each river. HP = High-predation population, KO = Killifish-only population.
• F2_Food: The resource level fed to the maternal generation (F2). HF = high food level, LF = low food level.
• F3_Food: The resource level fed to the offspring generation (F3). HF = high food level, LF = low food level.
• F_ID: The original label of the F2 female ID. This is redundant due to the lineage variable.
• M_ID: The original label of the F2 male ID. This is redundant due to the lineage variable.
• Lineage: ID number that combines the F_ID and M_ID into a single number that also relates directly to the pedigree dataset.
• Date_egg_laid: Date that this F3 individual's egg was observed in the parental aquarium. NAs refer to an unknown date (either through missing date or a conflicting/impossible date).
• Date_hatched: Date that this F3 individual hatched. NAs refer to an unknown date (either through a missing date or a conflicting/impossible date).
• Date_Measured: Date that this F3 individual was measured. NAs refer to an unknown date (either through a missing date or a conflicting/impossible date).
• F2_F_weight_(g): Maternal (F2) weight in grams. 
• F2_F_length_(mm): Maternal (F2) length in millimetres from anterior tip to caudal fin.
• Egg_diameter_(mm): The calculated diameter in mm of the photographed egg. NAs refer to missing data due to either missing photographs or conflicting ID notes.
• Egg_perimeter: The perimeter in mm of the photographed egg. NAs refer to missing data due to either missing photographs or conflicting ID notes.
• Egg_feret: Feret diameter as extracted using ImageJ, but not used in analyses. NAs refer to missing data due to either missing photographs or conflicting ID notes.
• F3_Length_(mm): Offspring (F3) length in millimetres from anterior tip to caudal fin. NAs refer to missing data due to death prior to measurement date.
• F3_Weight_(g): Offspring (F3) weight in grams. NAs refer to missing data due to death prior to measurement date.
• Egg_development: The number of days between egg lay data and hatching date. NAs refer to missing data due to at least one missing date either being laid or hatched.
• measurement_age: The number of days between hatching and being measured. NAs refer to missing data due to at least one missing date either being laid or hatched.
• length_per_day_mm: The calculated average change in length (mm) per day (length/days until measurement). NAs refer to missing data due to missing length data or measurement date.
• weight_per_day: The calculated average change in weight (g) per day (weight/days until measurement). NAs refer to missing data due to death prior to measurement date.
• f2_body_cond: The calculated body condition of the Maternal (F2) generation according to Fulton's K: (Weight x 100) / Length³. 
• f3_body_cond: The calculated body condition of the Offspring (F3) generation according to Fulton's K: (Weight x 100) / Length³. NAs refer to missing data due to death prior to the measurement date.

Code/software

The data files can be viewed with any standard spreadsheet or text-editing software that supports comma-separated values (.csv) files. All analyses were conducted in R. The code was written and run in R (version 4.4.2) in RStudio. The submission includes annotated R scripts with the associated packages for data preparation, descriptive summaries, statistical modelling, and visualization. 

Access information

Other publicly accessible locations of the data:

• NA

Data was derived from the following sources:

• NA