Fish functional trait matrices and environmental data from San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina (2022–2024)

Abstract

This dataset contains functional trait matrices and environmental data collected at San Antonio Bay (SAB), a macrotidal hypersaline embayment in northern Patagonia, Argentina (40°46'S, 64°54'W). Data were collected during bi-monthly sampling campaigns (October 2022 – October 2024) at two tidal channel sites (Canal Escondido and Canal Encerrado). The dataset includes: (1) a functional trait matrix for 52 coastal fish species of the San Matías gulf regional species pool, used for null model analyses and GLM-based environmental filtering assessment; (2) a functional trait matrix for 22 functional entities (17 species + 5 juvenile stages) of the local SAB assemblage, incorporating intraspecific trait variation (ITV) associated with ontogenetic shifts; and (3) water temperature and salinity data used as environmental predictors in generalized additive models (GAMs). These data support the analyses presented in Barrena et al. (submitted) "Persistent functional structure emerges from hierarchical filtering and ontogenetic turnover in a highly variable Patagonian coastal bay", submitted to Functional Ecology.