Multiple metrics of trichome diversity support independent evolutionary hypotheses in blazingstars (Mentzelia: Loasaceae)

Trichomes are morphologically diverse and functionally important structures that vary within plant lineages in response to selection pressures across ecological gradients and evolutionary timescales. Classic hypotheses predict higher investment in trichomes in arid environments, at lower latitudes, and in long-lived species, as well as shifts in trichome production to reduce conflict between defense traits and mutualisms. However, tests of these hypotheses often neglect the rich diversity of trichome phenotypes and rely on aggregate metrics of trichome production, despite many plant species producing a variety of trichome morphologies across different organs. Here, we collected data on fine-scale patterns of trichome length, density, and type in 52 species of blazingstars (Mentzelia: Loasaceae) and tested whether individual metrics of trichome investment were consistent with existing adaptive hypotheses. Contrary to longstanding hypotheses, we found that Mentzelia species tend to displa..., These are the data and code to accompany Glos & Weber “Multiple metrics of trichome diversity support independent evolutionary hypotheses in blazingstars (Mentzelia: Loasaceae).” For this project, we collected data on fine-scale patterns of trichome length, density, and type in 53 taxa of blazingstars (Mentzelia: Loasaceae) and tested whether trichome investment was consistent with existing adaptive hypotheses across multiple trichome metrics.
Trichome measurements â€”  Data were obtained from up to 5 specimens (average of 3.38) per taxon from 52 species, including both subspecies of  Mentzelia laevicaulis (Douglas ex Hook.) Torr. & A.Gray, which were measured separately due to their morphological disparity. The resulting dataset spans 53 taxa (approximately half the genus) and 179 specimens. Specimens were imaged at 6.3x using an Olympus SZX16 stereomicroscope fitted with an Olympus DP28 camera and Olympus CellSens software (Evident Scientific, Inc., Mass..., , # Multiple metrics of trichome diversity support independent evolutionary hypotheses in blazingstars (*Mentzelia*: Loasaceae)

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jm63xsjks](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jm63xsjks)

## Description of the data and file structure

These are the data and code to accompany Glos & Weber “Multiple metrics of trichome diversity support independent evolutionary hypotheses in blazingstars (*Mentzelia*: Loasaceae).” For this project, we collected data on fine-scale patterns of trichome length, density, and type in 52 species of blazingstars (*Mentzelia*: Loasaceae) and tested whether trichome investment was consistent with existing adaptive hypotheses across multiple trichome metrics. Missing data given as NA.

### Files and variables

List of files: 

1. **‘glos_weber_mentzelia_specimen_info.csv’**:  accession information for all herbarium specimens examined in the study. 
* SPECIES: currently accepted taxon name per World Flora Online
* HERBARIUM_ACCESSION: in...,