Environmental and local habitat variables as predictors of trophic interactions in subtidal rocky reefs along the SE Pacific coast

Temperature generally drives latitudinal patterns in the strength of trophic interactions, including consumption rates. However, local community and other environmental conditions might also affect consumption, disrupting latitudinal gradients, which results in complex large-scale patterns. This study assessed the relative effect of environmental variables and local consumer communities on predation and herbivory along more than 22 degrees of latitude (⁓2,500 km) of the Chilean coast. Consumption assays with animal prey (porcellanid crabs and squidpops) and the kelp Lessonia spp. were used to assess predation (after 2 h and 24 h) and herbivory (after 24 h) at 12 study sites where important environmental variables (seawater characteristics, habitat features and consumer community characteristics) were measured. For each prey type, we aimed to identify the variables that best explained variation in consumption. Predation rates were positively related to temperature, but also with dissolve..., The dataset was collected during fieldwork occurred in austral-summer 2018-2019. Tethering assays were deployed in 12 sites along the Chilean coast, using three different prey items: porcellanid crabs, squidpops and seaweed. In each site, data was collected on the day and 24 h after the deployment of the assay. Environmental and habitat data from the site was collected either on the day of the deployment or the day after. A multiparameter was used to obtain water quality measurements YSI-95. Habitat data was taken from photoquadrants. Species abundances were counted via visual transects., , # **Environmental and local habitat variables as predictors of trophic interactions in subtidal rocky reefs along the SE Pacific coast**

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1q8](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1q8)

All datasets correspond to data obtained from tethering assays and in situ measurements along 12 sites on the SE Pacific coast and open-access datasets (see code for details).

* Metadata_lat2018-2019.csv: Metadata (e.g., Latitude and longitude) corresponding to each study site.

- Predation_latitudinal2018-2019.csv: Data from predation tethering assays using porcellanid crabs and squidpops. The Number of baits consumed in each experimental unit (rope) was counted after 1-2 h and 24 h after the assay deployment. Five baits were attached to each rope.

* Herbivory_latitudinal2018-2019.csv: Data from herbivory tethering assays using *Lessonia* spp. The proportion of the blades consumed was measured 24 h after the assay deployment. Five blades were attached to each rope.
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