Female oviposition decisions are influenced by the microbial environment

In ovipositing animals, egg placement decisions can be key determinants of offspring survival. One oviposition strategy reported across taxa is egg clustering, whereby a female lays multiple eggs next to one another or next to the eggs of other females. The fitness benefits of egg clustering, especially in mixed maternity clusters, are unknown. In some species, mothers provision eggs with diffusible defence compounds, such as antimicrobials, raising the possibility of public good benefits arising from egg clustering. We conducted 4 experiments (EXP1A, EXP1B, EXP2, EXP3) to test the hypothesis that the microbial environment affects fecundity and egg placement in groups of D. melanogaster females. In each experiment, we collected data on the number of eggs laid, the proportion of those eggs laid in clusters, egg cluster size and number, and egg to adult viability. We also tested D. melanogaster and Ceratitis capitata egg wash for antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Saccharomyces ..., , , # Data from: Female oviposition decisions are influenced by the microbial environment

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2rbnzs7xk](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2rbnzs7xk)

This study contains data from four different experiments (EXP1A & EXP1B (both part of testing the* Effect of environmental microbes and nutrients on oviposition*), EXP2 (*Effect of antimicrobial preservatives alone on oviposition*), EXP3 (*Effect of commensal and pathogenic microbes on oviposition*)). The data for each of the four experiments are presented across 9 .csv files. Data from each experiment are presented as DATA or CLUSTER.DATA. These data only differ in that CLUSTER.DATA contains information on each indivdual egg cluster in every vial, so is presented in a longer format to enable analysis and plotting. Some columns of data are presented in both the DATA and CLUSTER.DATA sheets - this is for ease of analysis so all relevant variables can always be found together regardless of the form of the datasheet. Repe...,