Dataset: Geange_et_al_2013 Competitive Hierarchies Spatial Covariance

To determine the in situ spatial covariation of superior and inferior competitors, we surveyed the density of the 3 species at 3 locations. Each location consisted of 2 sites that were arrayed perpendicular to the reef crest: a ‘crest’ site (~95 m shoreward of the reef crest) and a ‘lagoon’ site (~190 m shoreward of the reef crest). At each site, we haphazardly selected 16 patch reefs of similar surface area (mean ± SD): 8.40 ± 4.91 m2, and 8.23 ± 4.06 m2, for the crest and lagoon locations, respectively. On each reef and the surrounding 1 m halo, we counted juveniles of the 3 focal species, which we converted to densities. Juveniles were defined as individuals with SL < 25 mm. Surveys were conducted between 08:00 and 16:00 h.