The data file provided is associated with the article "Weak evidence for anticipatory parental effects in plants and animals". All data were extracted from published studies or provided through direct correspondence with authors (see article main text for details). The file contains three worksheets: "StandardizedMeans","MatchEffectSize" and "CarryoverEffectSize" associated with the analysis on standardized means, matching or carryover effect sizes respectively. Columns for each of these worksheets are explained as below. Worksheet: StandardizedMeans - for analysis on standardized means. Column names for "StandardizedMeans.csv": Study: Unique reference number associated with each study (see references below). Trait: Unique reference number associated with each trait-within-study. Class: Taxonomic class for species under study. MatEnv: Maternal environment type (Good or Poor). OffEnv: Offspring environment type (Good or Poor). StdMean: Standardized mean for Maternal-Offspring environment combination (hence four values for each trait-within-study combination). StdSD: Standardized standard deviation for Maternal-Offspring environment combination Notes: Further details on extraction for particular study (explanations for each number provided below). Notes: Further details on extraction for particular study (explanations for each number provided below). Worksheet: MatchEffectSize - for analysis on Hedge's d values depending on whether offspring were matched or mismatched to maternal environment. Column names for "MatchEffectSize.csv": Study: Unique reference number associated with each study (see references below). Trait: Unique reference number associated with each trait-within-study. Class: Taxonomic class for species under study. OffEnv: Offspring environment type (Good, Poor or Undefined). LifeStage: Age at which measurement on offspring was taken (Embryo, Juvenile or Adult). Kingdom: Whether study system was a Plant or Animal. TraitType: Focal traits categorised as relating to Life-history, Morphology, Physiology, Reproduction or Survival. HedgesD: Hedge's d effect size calculated from mean values for each maternal-offspring environment combination. Specifically, it is M1O1-M2O1 or M2O2-M1O2 depending on whether offspring environment is Good or Poor respectively (hence two values provided for each trait-within-study combination). MeasErrVar: Measurement error variance for each Hedge's d effect size. Notes: Further details on extraction for particular study (explanations for each number provided below). Worksheet: CarryoverEffectSize - for analysis on Hedge's d values depending on whether mothers were in a good or poor environment. Column names for "CarryoverEffectSize.csv": Study: Unique reference number associated with each study (see references below). Trait: Unique reference number associated with each trait-within-study. Class: Taxonomic class for species under study. OffEnv: Offspring environment type (Good or Poor). LifeStage: Age at which measurement on offspring was taken (Embryo, Juvenile or Adult). Kingdom: Whether study system was a Plant or Animal. TraitType: Focal traits categorised as relating to Life-history, Morphology, Physiology, Reproduction or Survival. HedgesD: Hedge's d effect size calculated from mean values for each maternal-offspring environment combination. Specifically, it is M1O1-M2O1 or M1O2-M2O2 depending on whether offspring environment is Good or Poor respectively (hence two values provided for each trait-within-study combination). MeasErrVar: Measurement error variance for each Hedge's d effect size. Notes: Further details on extraction for particular study (explanations for each number provided below). Explanation for Notes column: 1 Standard deviation for the calculation of effect sizes were calculated from 95% confidence intervals (see equation in Supplementary Information file associated with main text). 2 Mean values for proportion data were logit-transformed and the standard deviation for calculation of effect sizes was set at pi/sqrt(3). 3 Zero values of standard deviation are problematic for calculation of effect sizes, and we took the conservative approach of converting these values to the minimum standard deviation for a particular trait. In three cases where all traits had a standard deviation of zero, the minimum value from that study was used instead (there were multiple entries for each of these studies). 4 To maintain positive trait-fitness relationship across studies, means were multiplied by -1 in both environments. 5 To maintain positive trait-fitness relationship across studies, means were multiplied by -1 in one environment only. 6 Additional data were provided in response to direct requests to the corresponding authors. 7 Averages were calculated across categories (e.g. family, genotype). Study number and associated references: 1. Fox, C., Waddell, K., & Mousseau, T. 1995. Parental host plant affects offspring life histories in a seed beetle. Ecology 76(2):402–411.2. Fernández-González, M., Gonzalez-Barrientos, J., Carter, M., & Ramos-Jiliberto, R. 2011. Parent-to- offspring transfer of sublethal effects of copper exposure: Metabolic rate and life-history traits of Daphnia. 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