Fig_1_ln_weight_vs_ageUnderlying data for Fig. 1 regarding weight of M. leidyi (as ln mgC) versus age. Check publication for details.Fig_1_SEP_vs_ageUnderlying data for Fig. 1 regarding specific egg production of M. leidyi (per day) versus age. Check publication for details.Fig.2_life_time_reproductive_success_population_growth_rateUnderlying data for Fig. 2 regarding life time reproductive success and population growth rate of M. leidyi versus maturation size (mgC). Check publication for details.Fig.2.txtTable3_Fig3a_4a_eggs_vs_sizeAll data from review table 3 which have been used to generate Figures 3a and 4a. Data refer to all studies summarized in Table 3 of the underlying publication and includes oral-aboral length of M. leidyi, egg production rates (ind.-1 d-1) and respective references, where those data have been sourced from.Fig.3b SPE_versus_MassUnderlying data for Fig. 3b regarding Fraction of surplus energy allocated to reproduction of M. leidyi versus body mass (mgC), split up into native and invasive sub-populations. Check publication for details.Fig.3b.txtFig.4b_Egg_production_native_invasive_subpopulations_size_binsUnderlying data for Fig. 4b regarding egg production rates of native and invasive sub-populations versus 1cm size bins for M. leidyi. Check publication for details.Fig.4b.txt

Species establishing outside their natural range, negatively impacting local ecosystems, are of increasing global concern. They often display life-history features characteristic for r-selected populations with fast growth and high reproduction rates to achieve positive population growth rates (r) in invaded habitats. Here, we demonstrate substantially earlier maturation at a 2 orders of magnitude lower body mass at first reproduction in invasive compared to native populations of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi. Empirical results are corroborated by a theoretical model for competing life-history traits that predicts maturation at the smallest possible size to optimize r, while individual lifetime reproductive success (R0), optimized in native populations, is near constant over a large range of intermediate maturation sizes. We suggest that high variability in reproductive tactics in native populations is an underappreciated determinant of invasiveness, acting as substrate upon which selection can act during the invasion process.