Data on specialist and generalist herbivory, environmental variation, and phytochemical similarity from the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil: 2013-2014

What: These are data on specialist and generalist herbivory from naturally occurring Piper plants as well as environmental data collected in 10 m diameter plots across sites in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil. Data also include chemical similarity calculated as the Morisita similarity index for species in a given plot and chemical modules that demonstrate classes of compounds that group together and influence herbivory. Why: Data were collected to understand factors that influence herbivory and tropical forest richness with a particular focus on secondary chemistry metabolomics. Where: Field sites include São Bento de Sapucaí (-22.8758, -45.8581), Parque Nacional de Itatiaia (-22.3698, -44.6285), Parque Estadual de Intervales (-24.3088, -48.2736), and Parque Estadual de Serra do Mar - Núcleo Pincinguaba (-23.6200, -46.7222). When: Data were collected in the field from Dec 2013 – May 2014. How: Field data were collected in 10 m diameter plots centered on randomly located Piper plants. Chemical data come from 1H-NMR metabolomics.