Data from: Seed size and the evolution of leaf defences

1. Leaf defences vary widely among tree species, affecting rates of
herbivory, survival and reproduction. 2. Two contrasting hypotheses
account for variation in leaf defences among species. The first predicts
that a slow life history, which is characteristic of larger seeded species
adapted to resource-limited environments, is associated with well-defended
leaves. The second, apparency theory, predicts that elevated leaf defences
are necessitated for species that are more detectable to herbivores. 3.
Here we use comparative methods and a global data set to test (i) the
relationship between seed size and leaf defences and (ii) the relationship
between clumping (spatial apparency) and leaf defences. 4. We found that
seed size was positively related to leaf fracture toughness, but not
phenolics or tannin concentration and that spatial aggregation was
unrelated to leaf defences. 5. Synthesis. Our results suggest that larger
seed size and increased leaf toughness are correlated as part of a trait
syndrome associated with a slow, resource-limited life history, not
clumped dispersion and increased spatial apparency.