# Title of Dataset: --- Dryad read me file for: Phylogenetically controlled life history trait meta-analysis in cetaceans reveals unexpected negative brain size and longevity correlation Groot et al, in press in Evolution ## Description of the Data and file structure Datasets and code used to test the cognitive buffer hypothesis in cetaceans 1. R code (1_createNewTree.R) to modify tree from McGowen et al 2020 (1a_McGowen_et_al_2020_parts_6_mcmctree_labelled.tre) to remove outgroups and taxa for which we had no trait data, and add species for which we had trait data (see Methods). This resulted in the final tree (1b_trimTree.tre), also provided here. 2. R code to undertake initial PGLS analyses for all cetacean species (2a_COGBUF_cetacea.R), mysticetes only (2b_COGBUF_mysticeti.R) and odontocetes only (2c_COGBUF_odontoceti.R). The input file for this analysis is: 2d_cetaceanOrdered.csv References for this input file are found in Table S3 of the original paper, replicated here for ease of reference (2e_Trait_References_TableS3). 3. R code for analyses undertaken during revision, using the same dataset (3_ReviewAdditionalAnalyses.R), 2d_cetaceanOrdered.csv Key data file is: 2d_cetaceanOrdered.csv The columns of this file are meta-data or traits for each cetacean species. Citations for all information in this file are found in 2e_Trait_References_TableS3 Trait names are as follows, but see publication and supplementary tables for additional details: Length=Average length of mature specimen (metres) Mass=Average mass of mature specimen (kilograms) BrainMass=Average brain mass (grams) EQ= Using the equation (Absolute brain mass) /〖0.12(body mass)〗^67 IndivEQ=As for EQ, but calculated for observations of body and brain mass within an individual (using only datasets where individual observations were available) and then averaged across individuals of the same species Lifespan=Species’ maximum lifespan (years) FemFirstReprod=Average age of females when producing first offspring (years) MaleFirstReprod=As above, but for males PropFemJuvenile=Proportion of maximum lifespan spent immature (pre-reproductive) PropMaleJuvenile=Proportion of maximum lifespan spent immature (pre-reproductive) Gestation=Average gestation time in months. Weaning=Average time between gestation and weaning (end of lactation) in months. YearsOffspring=Average number of years taken to raise one offspring indicated by combined time of gestation and lactation/time until weaning. PropOffspring=Proportion of maximum lifespan on average dedicated to raise one offspring. CalvingInterval=Average number of years between calves. PropInterval=Average calving interval as a proportion of maximum lifespan. GroupSize=Average group size from observations. GroupRelatedness=Approximate degree of relatedness within social groups A1.1-A8=Sociality, Aspects of the social structure or social interactions which influence conspecific relationships, group organisation and group composition. Subcategories include Primary Unit, Stability, Tolerance, Offspring Membership, Alloparenting, Maternal Grouping, Male Alliance, and Post-reproductive lifespan. B1-3 = Group Foraging Behaviours, The interactive behaviour between individuals foraging in proximity. Subcategories include Competitive, Information Share/Foraging Communication, and Co-operative Foraging. C1-3=Learned Foraging Behaviours, The apparent presence or absence of learned patterns of foraging site fidelity (with or without contextual dependencies) and/or specific foraging techniques. Subcategories include Site Fidelity, Contextually Relevant Fidelity, and Learned Foraging Behaviours. D1-7=Acoustic Communication, The presence or absence of various sound-making traits ranging from song to signature vocalisations. Subcategories include Song, Cultural evolution of vocalisations, Social Sound Variety, Vocal Imitation, Membership Vocalisations, and Signature Vocalisations. ## Sharing/access Information Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data: Was data derived from another source? If yes, list source(s): All original citations are listed in file 2e_Trait_References_TableS3, which is Table S3 of the original publication