Multiple signaling increases both prey response and diversity in a carnivorous pitcher plant

Organisms across the tree of life use multiple signals such as color, movement, sound, and many types of chemical signals to convey seemingly the same information. These signals are potentially costly, yet the repeated evolution of multiple signaling across systems suggests an adaptive value. Using prey attraction by a carnivorous pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), we tested two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses of how multiple signaling may be adaptive: 1) the receiver variability hypothesis that different signals reach different receivers, increasing the diversity of the receiver response and 2) the redundant signal hypothesis, that additional signals increase the probability of signal transmission to relevant receiver(s). We used artificial pitcher plant models with red coloration, nectar, and volatile organic compound signals to examine both the receiver variability and redundant signal hypotheses in a manipulative, full factorial field experiment in S. purpurea native habita..., , , # Multiple signaling increases both prey response and diversity in a carnivorous pitcher plant

## Description of data and files

Describes data from artificial pitcher plants (modeled off of *Sarracenia purpurea*) placed in 4 Michigan pitcher plant bogs in August 2023, as well as several follow up experiments conducted in the summer of 2024. Artificial pitcher plants contain a presence/absence full factorial of three putative prey attracting signals: red coloration, extrafloral nectar, and artificial VOC blends. Data on the spectral reflectence of real plants and painted models are also included in this dataset.

### Files

Raw data files:

**ColNectVol.csv** -- Abundance of each prey morphospecies in each model pitcher plant at each site. Includes only models that captured prey (see below).

**colNectVolSetUp.csv** -- contains a unique row for each artificial pitcher plant placed at each bog site, regardless of prey capture outcome. Also lists field work dates.

**contrast.csv** -- Th...,