Data from: Larval density, sex and allocation hierarchy affect life-history trait covariances in a bean beetle

Life-history theory aims to understand how different environments result
in differential investment in fitness-related traits. While trade-offs
between traits are expected, many studies show positive or no correlation
between pairs of costly traits. One hypothesis that may explain the
inconsistency of trade-offs in the literature is that trait investment may
occur in a dichotomous hierarchy (the tree model), that allows for
differential trait investment weighted by the traits’ respective positions
within the hierarchy. Previous mathematical models predict different
covariances between traits depending on their position on the allocation
tree. While hierarchical differential investment is often used to discuss
findings in life-history theory, the role of an allocation hierarchy on
trait covariances has not been directly tested. In turn, this study aims
to identify trait covariances between behavioral and morphological
phenotypes on different branches of an allocation tree in the bean beetle,
Callosobruchus maculatus. While trade-offs between copulatory behaviors
and morphology were found for both males and females, only traits at the
base and far from each other in the hierarchy negatively covaried. This
study empirically shows that trade-offs may be the result of hierarchical
investment.