Intraspecific variation in mating behavior modulates the effects of mosquitofish introduction on prey communities

Intraspecific variation is recognized as a driver of ecological processes, yet prior studies have overwhelmingly focused on the ecological effects of intraspecific trait variation driven by natural selection. Far less is known about how variation in sexually selected traits influences ecological outcomes. In this study, we tested whether intraspecific differences in reproductive behaviors affect the ecosystem- and community-level impact of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) introductions. Male mosquitofish frequently harass females through persistent mating attempts. We manipulated the intensity of male harassment, then used a mesocosm experiment to measure the ecological consequences of these differences in harassment. Although this behavior manipulation was short-lived, our results suggest that differences in harassment intensity affected zooplankton communities. Compared to fish-absent controls, mesocosms with high-harassment males had smaller zooplankton body size and reduced a..., , , # Data from: Intraspecific variation in mating behavior modulates the effects of mosquitofish introduction on prey communities

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

## Description of the data and file structure

Data were collected from a mesocosm experiment to test for effects of variation in male mosquitofish harassment behavior on ecological patterns and processes. Male mosquitofish harassment behavior and various ecological variables were measured in each tank. Zooplankton were sampled in each tank and were identified and counted using microscopy after the experiment. 

### Files and variables

#### File: Eco_Effects_Sexual_Selection_Behavior.csv

**Description:** Male harassment behavior measurements

##### Variables

* tank: tank id
* date: date that measurement was taken
* day: days since start of mesocosm experiment
* timepoint: timepoint id
* treatment: male type-high harassment males (HH), low harassment males (LH)
* observer: obs...,

种内变异被公认为生态过程的驱动因子之一，但既往绝大多数研究均聚焦于自然选择驱动的种内性状变异的生态效应，而关于性选择性状变异如何影响生态结局的认知则极为匮乏。本研究旨在探究生殖行为的种内差异是否会调控西部食蚊鱼（Gambusia affinis）引入所产生的生态系统与群落水平效应。雄性食蚊鱼常通过持续的交配尝试对雌性实施骚扰行为。本研究通过调控雄性骚扰强度，利用中宇宙实验量化了此类骚扰差异带来的生态后果。尽管本次行为调控的持续时长较短，但研究结果显示，骚扰强度的差异确实对浮游动物群落产生了影响。与无鱼对照组相比，放置高骚扰雄性的中宇宙实验桶内的浮游动物体型更小且reduced a..., , , # 数据来源：交配行为的种内变异调控食蚊鱼引入对猎物群落的影响

https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.wpzgmsbzm

## 数据与文件结构说明

本研究数据源自一项中宇宙实验，用以检验雄性食蚊鱼骚扰行为的变异对生态格局与过程的影响。实验中对每个养殖桶内的雄性食蚊鱼骚扰行为及各类生态变量进行了测定。实验结束后，对每个养殖桶内采集的浮游动物样本通过显微镜镜检完成鉴定与计数。

### 文件与变量

#### 文件：Eco_Effects_Sexual_Selection_Behavior.csv

**描述：** 雄性骚扰行为测量数据

##### 变量
* tank：养殖桶编号
* date：测量日期
* day：中宇宙实验启动后的天数
* timepoint：时间点编号
* treatment：雄性类型——高骚扰雄性（HH）、低骚扰雄性（LH）
* observer：观测者（原文未完整给出）