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opencc-zeroFeb 2022View details →

Population structure, patterns of natal dispersal, and demographic history in a declining aerial insectivore, the purple martin Progne subis

Genetic variation is a fundamental component of biodiversity, and studying population structure, gene flow, and demographic history can help guide conservation strategies for many species. Like other aerial insectivores, the purple martin (Progne subis) is in decline, and yet their genetic background remains largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed population structure in the nominate eastern subspecies (P. s. subis) with relation to natal dispersal and examined historical genetic patterns in all three subspecies (P. s. subis, P. s. arboricola, P. s. hesperia) across their North American breeding range by estimating effective population sizes over time. We used next-generation sequencing strategies for genomic analyses, integrating whole-genome resequencing data with continent-wide band encounter records to examine natal dispersal. We documented population structure across P. s. subis, with the highest differentiation between the northern (Alberta) and more southern colonies and following patterns of isolation-by-distance. Consistent with spatial patterns of genetic differentiation, we also found greater longitudinal than latitudinal natal dispersal distances, signifying potential latitudinal constraints on gene flow. Earlier contractions in effective population sizes in the western P. s. arboricola and P. s. hesperia compared to the eastern P. s. subis subspecies suggest these subspecies originated from two different glacial refugia. Together, these findings support latitudinal distinction in P. s. subis, and elucidate the origin of subspecies differentiation, highlighting the importance to conserve populations across the range to maximize genetic diversity and adaptive potential in the purple martin.

opencc-zeroMar 2022View details →

Human impact, climate and dispersal strategies determine plant invasion on islands

Aim: Biological invasions are likely determined by species dispersal strategies as well as environmental characteristics of a recipient region, especially climate and human impact. However, the contribution of climatic factors, human impact and dispersal strategies in driving invasion processes is still controversial and not well embedded in the existing theoretical considerations. Here, we study how climate, species dispersal strategies and human impact determine plant invasion processes on islands distributed in all major oceans in the context of directional ecological filtering. Location: Six mountainous, tropical and subtropical islands in three major oceans: Island of Hawai'i and Maui (Pacific), Tenerife and La Palma (Atlantic), La Réunion and Socotra (Indian Ocean). Taxon: Vascular Plants. Methods: We recorded 360 non-native species in 218 plots along roadside elevational transects covering the major temperature, precipitation and human impact (i.e. road density) gradients of the islands. We collected dispersal strategies for a majority of the recorded species and calculated the environmental niche per species using a hypervolume approach. Results: Non-native species' generalism (i.e., mean community niche width) increased with precipitation, elevation and human impact but showed no relationship with temperature. Increasing precipitation led to environmental filtering of non-native species resulting in more generalist species under high precipitation conditions. We found no directional filtering for temperature but an optimum range of most species between 10 and 20°C. Niche widths of non-native species increased with the prevalence of certain dispersal strategies, particularly anemochory and anthropochory. Main conclusions: Plant invasion on tropical and subtropical islands seems to be mainly driven by precipitation and human impact, while temperature seems to be of little importance. Furthermore, anemochory and anthropochory are dispersal strategies associated with large niche widths of non-native species. Our study allows a more detailed look at the mechanisms behind directional ecological filtering of non-native plant species in non-temperature limited ecosystems.

opencc-by-4.0Feb 2022View details →

Isolation-by-distance and genetic parentage analysis provide similar larval dispersal estimates

An R studio project that includes original SNP data files used to quantify dispersal in Elacatinus lori via the isolation-by-distance (IBD) method. Associated R-code used to generate IBD regression slopes, calculate sigma, and construct dispersal kernels. Includes output from NeEstimator,  estimating effective population size.  Folders 1-3 contain the code/data needed to obtain the slope of the IBD relationship, effective population size, and the standard deviation (sigma) of the dispersal distribution, respectively. Folder 4 contains the R code needed to construct Laplacian dispersal kernels.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Directed endozoochorous dispersal by scavengers facilitate sexual reproduction in otherwise clonal plants at cadaver sites

<ol> <li>The regeneration niche of many plant species involves spatially and temporally unpredictable disturbances, called recruitment windows of opportunity. However, even species with clear dispersal adaptations such as fleshy berries may not successfully reach such elusive regeneration microsites. Ericaceous, berry-producing species in the northern hemisphere demonstrate this dispersal limitation. They are said to display a reproductive paradox owing to their lack of regeneration in apparently suitable microsites despite considerable investment in producing large quantities of berries.</li> <li>Cadavers generate vegetation-denuded and nutrient-rich disturbances termed cadaver decomposition islands. Cadavers attract facultative scavengers with considerable capacity for endozoochorous seed dispersal. We hypothesize that cadaver decomposition islands facilitate recruitment in berry-producing ericaceous species due to endozoochorous dispersal directed towards favorable microsites with low competition.</li> <li>We examined seedling establishment within a permanent, semi-regular 10 × 10 m grid across an ungulate mass die-off on the Hardangervidda plateau in southeastern Norway. Competing models regarding the relative importance of factors governing recruitment were evaluated, specifically cadaver location (elevated seed rain) and microsite conditions (competition).</li> <li>We found that cadaver decomposition islands did facilitate seedling establishment, as cadaver density was the best predictor of seedling distribution. Other important factors governing seedling establishment such as percentage cover of soil and vascular plants alone were inadequate to explain seedling establishment.</li> <li> Synthesis: This study provides a novel understanding of sexual reproduction in species with cryptic generative reproduction. The directed nature of endozoochorous dispersal combined with long-distance dispersal abilities of medium to large vertebrate scavengers towards cadavers allows plants to exploit the advantageous but ephemeral resource provided by cadaver decomposition islands.</li> </ol>

opencc-by-4.0Nov 2018View details →

Fig. 1 in Fossil Ovibos Moschatus (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) From Buryn, With Reference To Muskox Dispersal In The Late Pleistocene Of Ukraine

Fig. 1. Localities with fossil muskox remains on the territory of Ukraine.

opencc-zeroApr 2022View details →

Genetic differentiation and signatures of local adaptation revealed by RADseq for a highly-dispersive mud crab Scylla olivacea in the Sulu Sea

Connectivity of marine populations is shaped by complex interactions of biological and physical processes across the seascape. The influence of environmental features on the genetic structure of populations has key implications to the dynamics and persistence of populations, and an understanding of spatial scales and patterns of connectivity is crucial for management and conservation. This study employed a seascape genomics approach combining larval dispersal modeling and population genomic analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from RADseq to examine environmental factors influencing patterns of genetic structure and connectivity for a highly-dispersive mud crab, Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) in the Sulu Sea. Dispersal simulations reveal widespread but asymmetric larval dispersal influenced by persistent southward and westward surface circulation features in the Sulu Sea. Despite potential for widespread dispersal across the Sulu Sea, significant genetic differentiation was detected among eight populations based on 1,655 SNPs (FST = 0.0057, p < 0.001) and a subset of 1,643 putatively neutral SNP markers (FST = 0.0042, p < 0.001). Oceanography influences genetic structure, with redundancy analysis (RDA) indicating significant contribution of asymmetric ocean currents to neutral genetic variation (R2adj = 0.133; p = 0.035). Genetic structure may also reflect demographic factors, with divergent populations characterized by low effective population sizes (Ne < 50). Pronounced latitudinal genetic structure was recovered for loci putatively under selection (FST = 0.2390, p < 0.001), significantly correlated with sea surface temperature variabilities during peak spawning months for S. olivacea (R2adj = 0.692-0.763; p < 0.050), suggesting putative signatures of selection and local adaptation to thermal clines. While oceanography and dispersal ability likely shape patterns of gene flow and genetic structure of S. olivacea across the Sulu Sea, the impacts of genetic drift and natural selection influenced by sea surface temperature also appear as likely drivers of population genetic structure. This study contributes to the growing body of literature documenting population genetic structure and local adaptation for highly-dispersive marine species, and provides information useful for spatial management of the fishery resource.

opencc-zeroApr 2022View details →

Skua and plant dispersal: Lessons from the Argentine Islands - Kyiv Peninsula region in the maritime Antarctic

Birds are one of the most likely dispersal vectors for plants in Antarctica. We studied the nesting behavior of south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) and brown skua (Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi) to assess their potential role in ornithochory in the Argentine Islands - Kyiv Peninsula region. Nest samples were collected during 2009-2020 years in the Argentine Islands - Kyiv Peninsula region including all islands and coasts of the Graham Land from the Lemaire Channel to the islands of Berthelot Islands from north to south and extending from west to east from the Roca Islands, Cruls Islands, Rasmussen Point to the coast. We found that skuas utilize different nest building materials, including bryophytes, vascular plants (hairgrass Deschampsia antarctica), and lichens. In south polar skua nests, mosses and lichens dominate in the nest material; in brown skuas Deschampsia antarctica and mosses dominate. Both bird species likely collect nest components from nearby vegetation formations (<1 m distant). We conclude that C. maccormicki and C. antarctica lonnbergi are not selective in their choice of plant species, simply using the materials that dominate near the nest. Therefore, both species carry these materials from nearby sites, and only occasionally bring them from distant places. In conclusion, for both species we did not find any evidence to support their involvement in long-distance ornithochory (stomatochory) in the region.

opencc-zeroJun 2021View details →

Forest cover and connectivity have pervasive effects on the maintenance of evolutionary distinct interactions in seed dispersal networks

Seed dispersal by animals is one of the most important ecological processes in tropical forests, entailing millions of years of evolutionary adaptations of plants and frugivorous animals forming networks of interactions that, ultimately, contribute to the resilience of such forests. We analyze 29 seed dispersal networks in the threatened Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, with data on the frequency of feeding visits by birds to fruiting plants to answer: (1) which are the effects of forest cover and landscape connectivity on the maintenance of phylogenetic diversity (PD) of interacting birds and plants and the evolutionary distinctiveness of the interactions (EDi) between them; and (2) how EDi and plant/bird PD affects the robustness of the interaction networks? We found that forest cover positively influences both plant and bird PD and EDi. Landscape connectivity is an important predictor of bird PD, but not plant PD, suggesting that the spatial arrangement of forest remnants is essential for guaranteeing bird movement among forest fragments. Furthermore, interaction networks of areas with higher PD and EDi had great robustness to the simulated extinction of species, which underscore the importance of larger forest blocks for conserving evolutionary information and, consequently, the health and natural resistance of seed dispersal networks against environmental change.

opencc-zeroApr 2022View details →

Influence of pollen dispersal and mating pattern in domestication of intermediate Wheatgrass, a novel perennial food crop

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) is a perennial forage grass that is currently being domesticated as a grain crop. It is a primarily wind-pollinated outcrossing species and expresses severe inbreeding depression when self-pollinated. Characterization of pollen dispersal, mating parameters, and change in genetic diversity due to pollen movement is currently lacking in IWG. In this study, we examined pollen dispersal in an IWG selection nursery by evaluating 846 progeny from 15 mother plants and traced their parentage to 374 fathers. A set of 2500 genomic loci was used to characterize the population. We assigned paternity to 769 (91%) progeny and the average number of fathers per mother plant was 37, from an average of 56 progeny examined per mother. An extensive number (80%) of pollination events occurred within 10 m of the mother plants. Pollination success was not correlated with trait attributes of the paternal genotypes. Mating system analysis confirmed that IWG is highly out-crossing and inbreeding was virtually absent. Neither genetic diversity nor the genome-estimated trait values of progeny were significantly affected by pollinator distance. The distance of pollinator in an IWG breeding nursery therefore was not found to be a major contributor in maintaining genetic diversity. These findings reveal the pollen dispersal model in IWG for the first time and its effect on genetic diversity, which will be valuable in designing future IWG breeding populations. Information generated and discussed in this study could be applied in understanding gene flow and genetic diversity of other open-pollinated species.

opencc-by-4.0May 2022View details →

dispersion curvers of southeastern Tibetan Plateau obtained by wave gradiometry and ambient noise cross correlation

azimuth-dependant dispersion curves: bk.gridID.deg.backazimuth.dsp T=5:20s obtained from ambient noise tomography T=21:60s obtained from wave gradiometry grid information: xyloc.txt

Dispersal increases spatial synchrony of populations but has weak effects on population variability: a meta-analysis

The effects of dispersal on spatial synchrony and population variability have been well documented in theoretical research, and a growing number of empirical tests have been performed. Yet a synthesis is still lacking. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of relevant experiments and examined how dispersal affected spatial synchrony and temporal population variability across scales. Our analyses showed that dispersal generally promoted spatial synchrony, and such effects increased with dispersal rate and decreased with environmental correlation among patches. The synchronizing effect of dispersal, however, was only detected when spatial synchrony was measured using the correlation-based index, but not for the covariance-based index. In contrast to theoretical predictions, the effect of dispersal on local population variability was generally non-significant, except when environment correlation among patch was negative and/or experimental period was long. At the regional scale, while low dispersal stabilized metapopulation dynamics, high dispersal led to destabilization. Overall, the sign and strength of dispersal effects on spatial synchrony and population variability were modulated by taxa, environmental heterogeneity, type of perturbations, patch number, and experimental length. Our synthesis demonstrates that dispersal can substantially affect the dynamics of spatially distributed populations, but its effects are context dependent on abiotic and biotic factors.

opencc-by-4.0May 2022View details →

Polarization Mode Dispersion Measurements on 76Km of wrapped Aerial Optical Fibre

This dataset consists of Polarisation Mode Dispersion measurements taken on 76Km of aerial fibre. The fibre is wrapped on a high voltage line.  The results with the Nexus teser where taken in April 2009 and the second set of measurements were taken using a more accurate Adaptif PMD tester in August 2009.  Hopefully this data will be useful to others.

Termite dispersal is influenced by their diet

Termites feed on vegetal matter at various stages of decomposition. Lineages of wood- and soil-feeding termites are distributed across terrestrial ecosystems located between 45°N and 45°S of latitude, a distribution they acquired through many transoceanic dispersal events. While wood-feeding termites often live in the wood on which they feed and are efficient at dispersing across oceans by rafting, soil-feeders are believed to be poor dispersers. Therefore, their distribution across multiple continents requires an explanation. Here, we reconstructed the historical biogeography and the ancestral diet of termites using mitochondrial genomes and δ13C and δ15N stable isotope measurements obtained from 324 termite samples collected in five biogeographic realms. Our biogeographic models showed that wood-feeders are better at dispersing across oceans than soil-feeders, further corroborated by the presence of wood-feeders on remote islands devoid of soil-feeders. However, our ancestral range reconstructions identified 33 dispersal events among biogeographic realms, 18 of which were performed by soil-feeders. Therefore, despite their lower dispersal ability, soil-feeders performed several transoceanic dispersals that shaped the distribution of modern termites.

Data from: It's all about food: Environmental factors cause species-specific dispersal

Dispersal is a vital component of the life- history of nearly all organisms. The ability to disperse determines the distribution and abundance of a species and thus its community dynamic at different sites. The scientific challenge is to design standardized laboratory experiments that not only record the effects of single factors but also includes the multi-causal nature of dispersal. Here we tested the effect of the environmental factors density, food availability and predation and the combinations thereof on the dispersal of five free- living nematode species by performing experiments in two-patched systems. We hypothesized that emigration is generally positively correlated with the intrinsic rate of natural increase and would decrease with increasing food availability and increase both with the presence of a predator and at higher initial population densities. These predictions were tested both using single-species tests with laboratory cultures as well as using intact natural nematode communities to investigate whether environmental factors determine the composition of dispersing species. The results of our study revealed a positive correlation between dispersal and intrinsic growth ability, whereas the studied nematode species differed in their dispersal patterns, both under control conditions and in response to bottom-up, top-down, and density dependent stimuli. Despite the species- specific differences in dispersal behavior in response to the environmental factors, the availability of food appeared as the main driver. This was especially pronounced regarding a natural nematode community. Our experiments emphasize the central role of food availability in spatial structuring nematode communities.

Invasive brown widow spiders disperse aerially under a broad range of environmental conditions

Spiders commonly disperse on silk lines as juveniles by means of rappelling or ballooning. These modes of dispersal, especially long-distance dispersal via ballooning, can greatly increase the distance an individual can move, and at the population level, the speed of range expansion and likelihood of gene flow. Nevertheless, few studies have examined how spiders disperse under field conditions, and which environmental and meteorological conditions may affect their decision to disperse. We tested dispersal by spiderlings of the invasive brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus) under field conditions in the Negev Desert of Israel. We documented pre-dispersal (climbing and tiptoeing) and dispersal (short-distance dispersal by rappelling and long-distance dispersal by ballooning) behaviours during the day (n = 147 spiders) and night (n = 171 spiders), while recording wind speed, temperature, and humidity. We found that spiders ballooned significantly more during the day (14.3%) compared with 1.8% of spiders ballooning at night. At night, spiders were more likely to disperse in conditions of higher wind speeds, lower temperature, and higher humidity, whereas during the day, environmental factors were less predictive of dispersal behaviour. In addition, we found significant differences in the proportion of spiderlings showing pre-dispersal and dispersal behaviour depending on family line. In conjunction with human-mediated dispersal, ballooning and rappelling may be an important mechanism of range expansion in the brown widow spider. Understanding the environmental and genetic factors affecting dispersal may lead to better management of invasive species.

Data from: The hydrochorous dispersal of plant propagules in a giant river reservoir: implications for restoration of riparian vegetation

The riparian vegetation of many rivers around the world is impacted by flow regulation for hydropower. Water levels behind dams are being raised to generate electric energy, forming river reservoirs. River regulation has a large impact on the riparian vegetation which influences both the adjacent aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, restoration of degraded riparian vegetation in river reservoirs has been of increasing research interest. Propagules dispersed from connected tributaries via water (hydrochory) are considered a vital source for the recovery of riparian vegetation in regulated rivers. However, the hydrochorous dispersal of plant propagules in river reservoirs is unclear. We explored the dispersal distance and deposition patterns of hydrochorous propagule mimics in three tributaries that are regulated by the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China. In eight out of nine release experiments, 95% of propagule mimics were found within 3 km downstream from the release points. Cumulative wind speed was the most important factor affecting the dispersal distance of propagule mimics in the TGR. However, the dispersal distance of propagule mimics was not significantly affected by water-level variation and channel sinuosity. Variations in water level strongly affected the deposition pattern of propagule mimics, with only 6.6% of the propagule mimics stranding on the riparian zones under raised water level and 83.8% stranding under declined water levels. The majority of stranded propagule mimics were deposited at gentle slopes (0‒20°). Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that the majority of propagules that enter river reservoirs via water would be retained within the first few kilometers. Wind and water level variation are the main factors determining the dispersal distance and deposition pattern of propagules. Our findings have applications for riparian vegetation restoration in river reservoirs. The vegetation in steep riparian zones distant from free-flowing tributaries should be the priority for restoration actions because these areas receive limited hydrochorous propagules. The plant biodiversity and hydrological connectivity of connected tributaries, which is an important propagule sources for riparian vegetation along river reservoirs, should be protected. The seasonal dominant wind pattern should be considered when evaluating the importance of tributaries as the source of hydrochorous propagules for river reservoirs.

opencc-zeroJun 2022View details →

Data from: Masting increases seedling recruitment near and far: predator satiation and improved dispersal in a fleshy-fruited tree

The animal dispersal hypothesis predicts that mast seeding can increase dispersal rate of seeds by dispersers and enhance reproductive success of plants. However, in contrast to pollination efficiency and predator satiation hypothesis, the animal dispersal hypothesis has received mixed support. Using 12-year data on fruit production and seedling recruitment of a fleshy-fruited tree rowan (Sorbus aucuparia, Rosaceae), we tested if an increase in the fruit production at the population level results in higher proportion of fruits recruiting into seedlings. Recruitment was recorded near (under rowans) and far (under heterospecifics) from conspecifics. Higher recruitment rates under rowans would support predator satiation hypothesis. Higher recruitment rates under heterospecific trees, where fruits can only arrive with animal assistance, would support animal dispersal hypothesis. High population-level fruit production increased the proportion of fruits recruiting into seedlings both near and far from rowans. In contrast, high individual-level fruit production did not have a positive effect on the proportion of fruits recruiting into seedlings. Synthesis. Population-level synchronization of fruit production is required to generate a more effective plant regeneration. Our findings show that masting enhances seedling recruitment through predator satiation and increased seed dispersal by frugivores. The results provide support for both animal dispersal and predator satiation hypotheses indicating that both mechanisms can operate simultaneously.

opencc-zeroJun 2022View details →

Systematics of the New World bats Eptesicus and Histiotus suggest trans-marine dispersal followed by Neotropical cryptic diversification

Biodiversity can be boosted by colonization of new habitats, such as different continents and remote islands. Molecular studies have suggested that recently evolved organisms probably colonized already separated continents by dispersal, either via land bridge connections or crossing the ocean. Here we test the on-land and trans-marine dispersal hypotheses by evaluating possibilities of colonization routes over Bering land bridge and across the Atlantic Ocean in the cosmopolitan bat genus Eptesicus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae). Previous molecular studies have found New World Eptesicus more closely related to Histiotus, a Neotropical endemic lineage with enlarged ears, than to Old World Eptesicus. However, phylogenetic relationships within the New World group remained unresolved and their evolutionary history was unclear. Here we studied the systematics of New World Eptesicus and Histiotus using extensive taxonomic and geographic sampling, and genomic data from thousands of ultra-conserved elements (UCEs). We estimated phylogenetic trees using concatenation and multispecies coalescent. All analyses supported four major New World clades and a novel topology where E. fuscus and Histiotus are sister clades that together diverged from two sister clades of Neotropical Eptesicus. Intra-clade divergence suggested cryptic diversity that has been concealed by morphological features, especially in the Neotropics where taxonomic re-evaluations are warranted. Molecular dating estimated that Old World and New World clades diverged around 17 million years ago followed by radiation of major New World clades in the mid-Miocene, when climatic changes might have facilitated global dispersal and radiation events. Biogeographic ancestral reconstruction supported the Neotropical origin of the New World clades, suggesting a trans-Atlantic colonization route from North Africa to the northern Neotropics. We highlight that trans-marine dispersal may be more prevalent than currently acknowledged and may be an important first step to global biodiversification.

opencc-by-4.0Jun 2022View details →

Dispersal, kin aggregation, and the fitness consequences of not spreading sibling larvae

GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Title of Dataset: Dispersal, kin aggregation, and the fitness consequences of not spreading sibling larvae 2. Author Information     A. Principal Investigator Contact Information         Name: Scott Burgess         Institution: Florida State University         Address: 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL, USA 32306         Email: sburgess@bio.fsu.edu 3. Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): 2016-2017 4. Geographic location of data collection: Turkey Point, Florida, USA 5. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: National Science Foundation (NSF; OCE-1948788) and the Florida State University Council on Research and Creativity   DATA & FILE OVERVIEW 1. File List: Figure 2.R Figure 3.R Figure 4.R Figure 5.R Observed sibship.R Clark Evans Corrected function.R Figure 2 data.csv Figure 3 data.csv Figure 4 data.csv Figure 5 data.csv sampleIDfile_msats.csv Sibships.csv 2. Relationship between files: Figure 2.R uses Figure 2 data.csv Figure 3.R uses Figure 3 data.csv and Clark Evans Corrected function.R Figure 4.R uses Figure 4 data.csv and Clark Evans Corrected function.R Figure 5.R uses Figure 5 data.csv Observed sibship.R uses sampleIDfile_msats.csv and Sibships.csv   3. Metadata Figure 2 data.csv deployment: Sequential number for each deployment date deployment.date: The date on which settlement plates were attached to poles in the field treatment: Control = No colony in the center of the array; Treatment = Seven colonies placed in the center of the array. sheet: Unique identifier for each settlement plate (=sheet) distance.m: Distance, in meters, of the settlement plate to the center of the array settlers: The number of settlers recorded in each settlement plate after retrieval days: The number of days between the deployment and retrieval of settlement plates settlers.day: settlers / days = the number of settlers per day   Figure 3 data.csv D.Date: Date on which settlement plates were Deployed R.Date: Date on which settlement plates were Retrieved D.Group: Sequential number for each deployment group Plate.ID: Unique identifier for each settlement plate Deployment: 1 = settlement plates deployed for 3 days; 2 = settlement plates placed back into the water after 3 days, and collected again after another 3 days (capturing larvae that settled on between day 4 and 6). Point: Unique identifier for each settler Raw.X: The distance, in millimeters, from the left side of the image Raw.Y: The distance, in millimeters, from the bottom side of the image True.X: The distance, in millimeters, from the left side of the focal settlement area True.Y: The distance, in millimeters, from the bottom side of the focal settlement area   Figure 4 data.csv Sheet ID: Unique identifier for each settlement plate (=sheet) Relatedness: Sib = each settler came from the same mother (half-sib or full-sib); NonSibs = each settler came from a different (unrelated) mother. Point: Unique identifier for each settler Raw.X: The distance, in millimeters, from the left side of the image Raw.Y: The distance, in millimeters, from the bottom side of the image True.X: The distance, in millimeters, from the left side of the focal settlement area True.Y: The distance, in millimeters, from the bottom side of the focal settlement area   Figure 5 data.csv mother.ID: Unique identifier for each maternal colony sib.total: A code representing the concatenation of sib.group.size and total.group.size sib.group.size: The total number of focal siblings in the group total.group.size: The total number of all settlers in the group age.d: Days since settlement Ind: F = focal individual (an offspring from the corresponding mother.id); NF = Non-focal individual (comes from another maternal colony, NOT from the corresponding mother.id) sheet: Unique identifier for each settlement plate (=sheet) survival: 1 = alive; 0 = dead. bifurcations: The number of bifurcations on the colony. sampleIDfile_msats.csv Ind: Individual ID for each colony that also indicates site ("ML_"). ML=Marine Lab. Sample: Individual ID for each colony. Group: A unique code indicating a seagrass blade. I.e., samples from Group 1 were from the  seagrass blade #1, and so on. Sibships.csv OffspringID1: Individual ID for each colony that matches 'Sample' in sampleIDfile_msats.csv. OffspringID2: Individual ID for each colony that matches 'Sample' in sampleIDfile_msats.csv. Probability: Probability (estimated from COLONY) that OffspringID1 and OffspringID2 are sibship type listed under SibshipType Run: Run number from COLONY Sibship Type: Whether COLONY estimated OffspringID1 and OffspringID2 to have a Full of Half sib relationship.