Egg predators improve the hatching success of salamander eggs

A common challenge that oviparous animals face is securing survivorship during the vulnerable embryonic stage. One of the parental investment strategies to improve survivorship is providing physical structures to protect the embryos. In amphibians, there is a notable diversity in jelly-layer structures surrounding eggs. Previous studies show that these jelly layers provide eggs with protection against egg predators, egg pathogens, and desiccation. However, few studies examined the cost–benefit relationship of the jelly-layer structures. By using the predator–prey interaction between wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles and spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) eggs as a model system, we tested three hypotheses: (1) having the outer jelly layers would be costly to the embryos, (2) the relative benefit of the structural egg defense would become apparent and increase as the intensity of egg predation increases, and (3) a certain degree of predation would increase the hatching succ..., Embryos of spotted salamanders were monitored, and the number of hatchlings were counted each day., R, MS excel etc., # Title of Dataset

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This file contains two data types, hatching success and incubation period of spotted salamander embryos monitored in a lab setting.

## Description of the data and file structure

There are three factors, egg (type), Layers, and Predation. All egg types are white eggs. Layers consist of Yes (presence of jelly layers surrounding eggs) and No (without jelly layers). There are four predation levels, no, low, medium, and high depending on the number of egg predators (tadpoles).

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## Code/Software

Please see the corresponding publication