Contrasting effects of native riparian and non-native plantation-tree litter on survival and case construction by a stream caddisfly
Description
This dataset contains the raw experimental data associated with the study “Contrasting effects of native riparian and non-native plantation-tree litter on survival and case construction by a stream caddisfly.” The experiment evaluated the responses of 60 larvae of the caddisfly Austrocentrus griseus (Trichoptera) exposed to six treatments differing in the availability of native Chusquea quila, non-native plantation species Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus radiata, and inorganic substrate. The experiment was conducted in spring 2022 using organisms collected from Pehuenco Stream, Nahuelbuta National Park, south-central Chile. The dataset includes repeated observations of survival and case construction over 142.46 h, together with initial and final body mass, metabolic rate, material mass, case traits (mass, puncture resistance, length, and width), and case composition. A data dictionary provides definitions, units, and codes for all variables. The dataset is organized using unique individual identifiers to facilitate integration among data tables and reproducible analyses.
Files
Steps to reproduce
The study was conducted in spring 2022 using 60 larvae of the stream caddisfly Austrocentrus griseus associated with Pehuenco Stream, Nahuelbuta National Park, south-central Chile (37°48′25.37″ S, 73°02′04.14″ W). Larvae were randomly assigned to six experimental treatments (n = 10 per treatment) differing in the materials available for case construction: Control, Chusquea quila plus inorganic substrate; T1, inorganic substrate only; T2, Eucalyptus globulus; T3, Pinus radiata; T4, Eucalyptus globulus plus Pinus radiata and inorganic substrate; and T5, Chusquea quila. Survival and case-construction status were recorded for each individual at 0, 24.00, 52.23, 76.79, 101.02, 125.20, and 142.46 h. Survival was coded as 1 = alive and 0 = dead, whereas case construction was coded as 1 = building and 0 = not building. Initial and final larval body mass were recorded, together with mass-specific metabolic rate expressed as oxygen consumption (µmol O2 g−1 h−1). Initial and final masses of the construction materials available in each microcosm were also recorded. Constructed cases were characterized by total dry mass, puncture resistance, maximum length, and maximum width, and were subsequently separated by material type to determine the dry mass of each incorporated component. For dataset preparation, a unique individual_id was used to link observations among tables. Survival and case-construction observations were reshaped from wide to long format while retaining all 60 individuals and seven observation times. Original numerical measurements were preserved, whereas material labels were standardized to the full scientific names Chusquea quila, Pinus radiata, and Eucalyptus globulus. Blank cells indicate measurements that were not recorded or were not applicable. Zero-filled T2 case records representing the absence of constructed cases were excluded from the case-trait and case-composition tables. Case dimensions are stored in µm; divide by 1000 to express them in mm.
Institutions
- Universidad de La FronteraAraucanía, Temuco