Differences in the fitness effects of traded resources shape traits and persistence in multi-mutualist communities

Mutualistic interactions, where species reciprocally benefit from each other, are crucial for ecosystem stability and biodiversity. These interactions often involve species that experience different fitness effects for the traded resources or services. Because mutualisms rely on positive feedback between partners, such asymmetries can strongly influence evolutionary outcomes. Differences in fitness effects create divergent selective pressures, shaping trait evolution and determining the persistence of mutualisms. The strength of these effects can also vary depending on the availability of traded resources from other sources. Despite their importance, the evolutionary role of fitness asymmetries in mutualism has received little attention, beyond recognizing that some species may be more dependent on their partners than others. This study investigates how asymmetry in the fitness effects of a traded resource influences the persistence and phenotypic trait evolution of species in multi-mut..., , # Differences in the fitness effects of traded resources shape traits and persistence in multi-mutualist communities

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.kwh70rzjq](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.kwh70rzjq)

## Description of the data and file structure

### Files and variables

#### File: Yeast_MMC_evolution_data.xlsx

**Description:** Synthetic multi-mutualist communities were constructed by combining reproductively isolated and genetically modified strains of *Saccharomyces* *cerevisiae* that engage in a nutritional mutualism by trading adenine (AdeOP) and lysine (LysOP). Mutualistic strain persistence and key traits associated with the production of traded resources, resource use, and population growth were tested after four weeks of evolution. 

There are four worksheets:

**1) Proportion_persistence**

**Variables**

* Week- Each value corresponds to the week in which strain persistence was tested.
* Media- Strains evolved in two environments; Obligate=no external resources; High= external...,