Population Persistence, Pollination Mutualisms, and Figs in Fragmented Tropical Landscapes

Mawdsley, Nick; Compton, Stephen G.; Whittaker, Robert J.

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1998.97243.x

Cited by 21 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Encounters between receptive syconia and their pollinators in natural environments are made more difficult by low densities of many fig tree populations (Hubbell and Foster 1986;Mawdsley et al 1998), the short life spans of their pollinators (Kjellberg et al 1988;Herre et al 2008), a commonly synchronous fruiting phenology that forces pollinators to disperse between trees (Ware and Compton 1994a), and the variable and unpredictable numbers of receptive syconia on different trees (Patel and Mckey 1998). The extended duration of receptivity seen in F. semicordata can be interpreted as a response to the possibility of pollinator shortages that these factors generate, thereby increasing the reproductive success of the plants and benefitting the fig-fig wasp mutualism in general.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Costs of inflorescence longevity for an Asian fig tree and its pollinator

et al. 2011

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In ecological situations where interactions between two species are to their mutual benefit, traits are expected to evolve to maximise the value of the timing of their encounters. Plants that depend on animals for pollination vary in the longevity of their flowers and also in how the quality of the rewards they offer varies in flowers of different ages. However, costs of floral longevity are rarely studied. Using field experiments with Ficus semicordata, a SE Asian dioecious fig tree, we examined sexual differences in syconium ageing, how the reproductive success of the plant and its pollinator change with syconium age and whether these changes are reflected in pollinator preferences. Un-pollinated syconia remained receptive to their host-specific pollinators for long periods, but eventually abort. Compared with male syconia, un-pollinated female syconia aborted more quickly and lost their ability to attract pollinators more quickly. Older pollinated female syconia were also more likely to abort. Further, declines in productivity with syconium age were also more apparent in female syconia, though older male syconia also produced fewer, smaller wasp offspring. The longevity costs are reflected in pollinator preferences. This suggests that sexual differences in duration of receptivity may be adaptive and a component of the reproductive strategies. It also indicates that placing fig wasps onto older syconia over-estimates their likelihood of being pollinated under natural conditions and prolonged receptivity increases the likelihood of pollination at the cost of reduced productivity with syconium age. This opens interesting perspectives on the co-evolution of this inter-specific interaction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Costs of inflorescence longevity for an Asian fig tree and its pollinator

et al. 2011

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“…Milton et al ., 1982; Anstett et al. , 1995; Herre, 1996; Kalko et al ., 1996; Mawdsley et al. , 1998; Korine et al.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, phenological studies on Ficus suggest that constant flower and fruit production throughout the year should be maintained to avoid the local extinction of pollinators (Milton et al ., 1982; Anstett et al. , 1995; Mawdsley et al ., 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biogeography and conservation of the genus Ficus (Moraceae) in Mexico

Serrato

Ibarra‐Manríquez

Oyama

2004

Journal of Biogeography

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AimThe main objective of this study is to document the biogeographical patterns, endemism and degree of conservation of the species of Ficus (Moraceae) in Mexico. There are over 750 species of the genus Ficus distributed worldwide, and Mexico practically represents its northernmost limit in the American continent. Detailed studies at regional scales may help to understand the biogeography of large genera such as Ficus. fig-pollinator mutualism in species with different patterns of geographic distribution. Mexican Ficus require special policies for conservation due to their complex degree of rarity, particularly their geographic distribution in different types of vegetation, ranging from dry scrublands to tropical rain forests.

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“…Longer term, persistence of fig tree and fig wasp populations is linked to habitat fragmentation (Mawdsley et al, 1998) and the dispersal abilities of the pollinators (Bronstein et al, 1990). Host-finding among fig wasps is surprisingly effective, and some fig wasps can disperse more than 100 km between natal trees and receptive figs (Ahmed et al, 2009), but the longer that females are in the air, the more susceptible they will be to dehydration and the effects of increased ambient temperatures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of temperature on the reproductive success of a fig wasp and its host plant

Khalaf¹,

Quinnell²,

Compton³

2015

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Ambient temperatures influence many aspects of insect behavior and reproduction, and limit their distribution and abundance. Small, delicate insects such as the fig wasps (Agaonidae) that pollinate fig trees rapidly succumb to heat stress when outside figs. We compared survivorship and reproductive success of the fig wasp Kradibia tentacularis pollinator of the Asian fig tree Ficus montana in three glasshouses maintained at different temperatures during the brief period when foundress females are laying their eggs after their entry into figs (means of 17, 21 and 27°C, respectively). This temperature range had no significant effect on speed of foundress death, or their likelihood of re-emergence. Similarly, fig wasp offspring production were unaffected by temperatures at the time of oviposition in male figs, as was seed production in female figs, although the proportion of failed galls changed marginally. The range of temperatures to which the fig wasps were exposed reflected conditions under a tropical forest canopy and their general lack of responsiveness suggests that the relatively buffered environment within their host figs means that only extreme temperature conditions will influence them once they have entered the plant.

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Population Persistence, Pollination Mutualisms, and Figs in Fragmented Tropical Landscapes

Cited by 21 publications

References 33 publications

Costs of inflorescence longevity for an Asian fig tree and its pollinator

Costs of inflorescence longevity for an Asian fig tree and its pollinator

Biogeography and conservation of the genus Ficus (Moraceae) in Mexico

Influence of temperature on the reproductive success of a fig wasp and its host plant

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