Territory size but not territorial defence varies with habitat quality and competitor density in a farming species

High-quality habitats are predicted to have higher densities of competitors, smaller territory sizes, and increased defensive costs for territory holders. However, defence is typically considered to be directed predominantly towards conspecifics, with heterospecific intrusions generally thought to contribute less towards defensive costs. Moreover, individuals may benefit from the collective defence of resources in areas with increased densities of territory holders. Together, these factors could affect the costs of defence in low- versus high-quality habitats. In this study, we investigated how habitat quality and conspecific density influence the territorial defence of algal-farming yellowtail damselfish (Stegastes arcifrons) in the Galapagos. We quantified territory characteristics, performed behavioral observations, and conducted an in situ experiment to test whether damselfish in higher quality, conspecific damselfish dense habitats (characterized by increased algal turf coverage), ..., , # Data from: Territory size but not territorial defence varies with habitat quality and competitor density in a farming species

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.h70rxwdw6](10.5061/dryad.h70rxwdw6)

## Description of the data and file structure

These data were used to investigate how habitat quality and damselfish density jointly influence the territorial defense strategies of yellowtail damselfish (*Stegastes arcifrons*) in the Galapagos. 

### Files and variables

#### File: RCODE_Territory_size_but_not_territorial_defence_varies_with_habitat_quality_and_competitor_density_in_a_farming_species.Rmd

**Description:** R Notebook file used to analyze data and create figures. 

#### File: DATA_Territory_size_but_not_territorial_defence_varies_with_habitat_quality_and_competitor_density_in_a_farming_species.xlsx

**Description:** Individual csv files are included in this Excel file as individual tabs. Each tab is named, and these names are referred to in the accompanying R Script where data is ...,