Filename: Tissue_density_and_Dry_Mass_Fresh_Mass_Ratios.xlsx

Article which data supports: Bocko et al. 2023. Allometric equation for Raphia laurentii De Wild, the commonest palm in the Central Congo Peatlands. PLOS ONE, XXXXXX

Corresponding author: Dr Yannick Bocko

Corresponding author email: byannickenock@gmail.com

Description: A file containing the mean tissue density and dry mass/fresh mass ratios for each component of each of the 90 Raphia laurentii individuals destructively sampled. 

Variables:

Raphia laurentii Individual: The unique code for each of the 90 Raphia laurentii individuals destructively sampled.

Component: The components of the Raphia laurentii individual for which tissue density and dry mass/fresh mass ratios were measured. The components are "Sheath", "Petiole", "Rachis", "Stem" and "Leaflets".
	
Mean Tissue Density (g/cm³): The mean tissue density, measured in grams per centimeter cubed, of the respective component for the Raphia laurentii individual. 
For the sheath, the mean represents the mean tissue density of subsamples taken from the middle of the sheath from 3 palm fronds (n=3). 
For the petiole, the mean represents the mean tissue density of subsamples taken from the middle of the petiole from 3 palm fronds (n=3).
For the rachis, the mean represents the mean tissue density of subsamples taken from the bottom, middle and top of the rachis from 3 palm fronds (n=9).
For the stem, the mean represents the mean tissue density of three 5 cm thick subsamples taken from the top, middle and bottom of the Raphia laurentii stem (n=3).
Subsample volumes for the sheath, petiole, rachis and stem subsamples were determined by hydrostatic weighing. Subsamples were dried at 101°C until constant mass.


Mean Dry Mass/ Fresh Mass Ratio: The mean dry/fresh mass ratio of the subsamples for each component for each Raphia launrentii individual. Leaflet subsamples were dried at 65°C until constant mass.