DOI: 10.5061/dryad.j5v32
title: Data from: Reproductive trade-offs in extant hunter-gatherers suggest adaptive mechanism for the Neolithic expansion

description: The Neolithic demographic transition remains a paradox, because it is
 associated with both higher rates of population growth and increased
 morbidity and mortality rates. Here we reconcile the conflicting evidence
 by proposing that the spread of agriculture involved a life history
 quality–quantity trade-off whereby mothers traded offspring survival for
 increased fertility, achieving greater reproductive success despite
 deteriorating health. We test this hypothesis by investigating fertility,
 mortality, health, and overall reproductive success in Agta
 hunter-gatherers whose camps exhibit variable levels of sedentarization,
 mobility, and involvement in agricultural activities. We conducted blood
 composition tests in 345 Agta and found that viral and helminthic
 infections as well as child mortality rates were significantly increased
 with sedentarization. Nonetheless, both age-controlled fertility and
 overall reproductive success were positively affected by sedentarization
 and participation in cultivation. Thus, we provide the first empirical
 evidence, to our knowledge, of an adaptive mechanism in foragers that
 reconciles the decline in health and child survival with the observed
 demographic expansion during the Neolithic.
description: Eosinophil results by
 foragingData necessary to run
 analysis on the influence of foraging on eosinophil concentrations. Given
 small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect
 individuals identity.eosfarm.csvEosinophil results by settlementData necessary to run analysis on the influence of settlement on eosinophil concentrations. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.eosset.csvFertility by foragingData necessary to run analysis on the influence of foraging on fertility. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.fertfarm.csvFertility by settlementData required for analysis of fertility and mobility.fertset.csvLymphocytosis by foragingData necessary to run analysis on the influence of foraging on Lymphocytosis. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.lymfarm.csvLymphocytosis by settlementData necessary to run analysis on the influence of settlement on Lymphocytosis. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.lymset.csvMortality by foragingData necessary to run analysis on the influence of foraging on mortality. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.mortfarm.csvMortality by settlementData necessary to run analysis on the influence of settlement on mortality. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.mortset.csvNeutrophilia by foragingData necessary to run analysis on the influence of foraging on Neutrophilia. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.neufarm.csvNeutrophilia by settlementData necessary to run analysis on the influence of settlement on Neutrophilia. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.neuset.csvParasite loadData necessary to run analysis on the influence of settlement on parasite burdenparaload.csvReproductive success and foragingData necessary to run analysis on the influence of foraging on RS. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.rsfarm.csvReproductive success and settlementData necessary to run analysis on the influence of settlement on RS. Given small population sizes all data have been randomised to protect individuals identity.rsset.csv