scholarly journals Tritrophic interactions involving a dioecious fig tree, its fig pollinating wasp and fig nematodes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jauharlina ◽  
Hartati Oktarina ◽  
Rina Sriwati ◽  
Natsumi Kanzaki ◽  
Rupert J. Quinnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nematode Species ◽  
First Record ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Fig Tree ◽  
Ficus Hispida ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
New Generation

AbstractMany species of fig trees (Ficus spp., Moraceae) have nematodes that develop inside their inflorescences (figs). Nematodes are carried into young figs by females of the trees’ host-specific pollinating fig wasps (Agaonidae) that enter the figs to lay their eggs. The majority of Asian fig trees are functionally dioecious. Pollinators that enter figs on female trees cannot reproduce and offspring of any nematodes they carry will also be trapped inside. The biology of the nematodes is diverse, but poorly understood. We contrasted the development of nematodes carried by the pollinating fig wasp Ceratosolen solmsi marchali into figs on male and female trees of Ficus hispida in Sumatra, Indonesia. Figs were sampled from both male and female trees over a six-month period, with the nematodes extracted to record their development of their populations inside the figs. Populations of three species of nematodes developed routinely inside figs of both sexes: Caenorhabditis sp. (Rhabditidae), Ficophagus cf. centerae and Martininema baculum (both Aphelenchoididae). This is the first record of a Caenorhabditis sp. associated with F. hispida. Mean numbers of nematodes reached around 120-140 in both male and female figs. These peak population sizes coincided with the emergence of the new generation of adult fig wasps in male fig trees. We conclude that figs on female trees can support development and reproduction of some nematode species, but the absence of vectors means that their populations cannot persist beyond the lifetime of a single fig. Just like their fig wasp vectors, the nematodes cannot avoid this routine source of mortality.

Delimitation and description of the immature stages of a pollinating fig wasp, Ceratosolen solmsi marchali Mayr (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Yi Jia ◽  
Jin-Hua Xiao ◽  
Li-Ming Niu ◽  
Guang-Chang Ma ◽  
Yue-Guan Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Model System ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Prepupal Stage ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Ficus Hispida ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
Developmental Traits

AbstractThe mutualism between fig trees and their wasp pollinators is a model system for many ecological and evolutionary studies. However, the immature stages of pollinating fig wasps have rarely been studied. We monitored developing fig wasps of known ages and performed a series of dissections at 24 h intervals to identify key developmental traits of Ceratosolen solmsi marchali Mayr (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), a pollinator of Ficus hispida L. (Moraceae). We identified where in the Ficus ovary eggs were deposited and time to hatch. We were also able to identify the timing and key underlying characters of five larval instars, three sub-pupal stages, and a single prepupal stage. We provide detailed morphological descriptions for the key stages and report some behavioral observations of the wasps in the several developmental stages we recorded. Scanning electron microscope images were taken.

scholarly journals The unknown followers: Discovery of a new species of Sycobia Walker (Hymenoptera: Epichrysomallinae) associated with Ficus benjamina L. (Moraceae) in the Neotropical region

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 85-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Henrique Antoniolli Farache ◽  
Cecilia Bernardo Pereira ◽  
Cristiana Koschnitzke ◽  
Levi Oliveira Barros ◽  
Elmecelli Moraes de Castro Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

Biotic invasion in mutualistic communities is of particular interest due to the possible establishment of new relationships with native species. Ficus species are widely cultivated as ornamental plants, and they host specific communities of chalcid wasps that are strictly associated with the fig inflorescences. Some introduced fig species are capable of establishing new relationships with the local fig wasps, and fig wasp species may also be concomitantly introduced with their host plants. Ficusbenjamina L. is widely cultivated across the world, but the associated fig wasps are not reported outside of the species native range. We describe for the first time a non-pollinating fig wasp associated with F.benjamina inflorescences outside its native distribution. Sycobiahodites Farache & Rasplus, sp. n. is the third known species of the genus and was recorded in populations of F.benjamina introduced in the Neotropical region throughout several localities in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. Sycobia is a gall-inducing non-pollinating fig wasp genus associated with fig trees in the Oriental and Australasian regions. This species competes with pollinators for oviposition sites and may hinder the future establishment of the native pollinator of F.benjamina, Eupristinakoningsbergeri Grandi, 1916 in the New World. However, the occurrence of a gall inducing species in this host plant may open ecological opportunities for the establishment of species belonging to other trophic levels such as cleptoparasite and parasitoid wasps.

scholarly journals The Extent of Pollinator Sharing Among Fig Trees in Southern China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yu ◽  
Yaolin Liao ◽  
Yufen Cheng ◽  
Ke Fushi ◽  
Jia Yongxia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Species Trees ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Heterospecific Pollen ◽  
Obligate Mutualism ◽  
Pollinator Sharing ◽  
Similar Appearance ◽  
Fig Trees

Abstract Background: The obligate mutualism between fig trees (Ficus, Moraceae) and pollinating fig wasps (Agaonidae) is a model system for studying co-evolution due to its perceived extreme specificity, but recent studies have reported a number of examples of trees pollinated by more than one fig wasp or sharing pollinators with other trees. This makes pollen flow between species and hybridization more likely. We reared pollinator fig wasps from figs of 13 Chinese fig tree species trees and established their identity using genetic methods in order to investigate the extent to which are they were supporting more than one species of pollinator.Results: Our results showed 1) pollinator sharing was frequent among closely-related dioecious species (where pollinator offspring and seeds develop on different trees), but not monoecious species and 2) that where two pollinator species were developing in figs of one host species there was usually one fig wasp that was far rarer than the other. An exception was F. triloba, where its two pollinators were equally abundant. Conclusions: Our results suggest that host expansion events where pollinators reproduce in figs other than those of their usual hosts are not uncommon among fig wasps associated with dioecious hosts. Because closely related trees typically have closely related pollinators that have a very similar appearance, the extent of pollinator-sharing has probably been underestimated. Any pollinators that enter female figs carrying heterospecific pollen could potentially generate hybrid seed, and the extent of hybridization and its significance may also have been underestimated.

scholarly journals Spread of Endosepsis in Calimyrna Fig Orchards

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 637-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Themis J. Michailides ◽  
David P. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Verticillioides ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Contamination Source ◽  
The North ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
North And South

Pollination of the edible fig (Ficus carica cv. Calimyrna) is mediated by a small symbiotic wasp, Blastophaga psenes, that inhabits the syconium cavity of the spring crop of fig pollinator trees (caprifigs). These fig wasps also carry propagules, mainly of Fusarium verticillioides (formerly F. moniliforme) and other Fusarium spp., which cause endosepsis, from pollinator figs to the edible Calimyrna figs in California. Spread of endosepsis was studied in one experimental and up to four commercial Calimyrna fig orchards from 1989 through 1995. The incidence of endosepsis in fruit collected from the tree canopy at either <2.0 m (low) or >2.0 m (high) height, from the north and south of the tree canopy, and from the outer (direct sunlight) and inner (shaded) canopy were similar. More wasps were captured in fig trees located 3.5 to 10 m east or west of the source than in trees 48 to 63 m from the source. In addition, significantly more wasps entered the syconia of trees closest (9 to 12.7 m) to the source than the syconia of the second or third trees (18 to 38.2 m) from the source. Endosepsis decreased with distance from the source, decreasing faster to the south than in other directions from the source. In addition, the disease-vectoring wasps decreased with increased distance from the source, which also described the disease spread from the contamination source for most directions, with a sharper decline south of the source. A 3-year study in three commercial Calimyrna orchards showed there is no secondary spread of fig endosepsis in the field. Although endosepsis can complete as many cycles (three to four) as its vector in fig pollinator trees, in Calimyrna figs it is considered a monocyclic disease. Because fig wasp pollinators prefer to stay close to the contamination source when receptive Calimyrna figs are available in close proximity, only disease sources (caprifigs trees) found among Calimyrna trees or at a distance less than 50 m from the borders of Calimyrna orchards affect endosepsis incidence in commercial orchards.

The population dynamics of a non-pollinating fig wasp on Ficus auriculata at Xishuangbanna, China

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Qiong Peng ◽  
Da-Rong Yang ◽  
Zhu-Biao Duang
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Obligate Mutualism ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Almost All

All fig wasps are confined to figs as larvae, and their specialized diets are restricted to fig embryos, galled fig ovaries or other fig wasp larvae (Boucek 1988). Almost all of the ∼800 Ficus species (Moraceae) are involved in species-specific obligate mutualism with a pollinating fig wasp (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), which also strictly depends on its host fig for reproduction (Berg 2003, Ramirez 1970, Wiebes 1979). More than half of all fig species are functionally dioecious, with male and female functions relegated to separate plants, called gall and seed figs (Kjellberg et al. 1987). Gall figs are functionally male because they foster the pollinator larvae that disperse the fig's pollen as adults. Seed figs are functionally female and produce only seeds. The styles are too long for pollinator ovipositors to reach the ovules, and hence they cannot lay eggs. Gall fig styles are short (Ganeshaiah et al. 1995, Weiblen et al. 1995).

scholarly journals Fighting injuries, fig exit, and dimorphism in two species of sycoryctine fig wasp (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 105-121
Author(s):  
Da-Mien Wong ◽  
Anthony Bain ◽  
Shiuh-Feng Shiao ◽  
Lien-Siang Chou
Keyword(s):  
Mating Strategies ◽  
Exit Rate ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Invertebrate Species ◽  
Fig Tree

Similar to many vertebrate and invertebrate species, many fig wasp species are fighting other members of their species for mates. Fighting between the males of many non-pollinating fig wasp species involves injuries and fatalities. Studies have shown that large males fight for mates, whereas conspecific small males tend to adopt nonfighting, sneaky behaviors. To analyze male morphs in two non-pollinating fig wasps (Philotrypesis taida Wong &amp; Shiao, 2018 and Sycorycteridea taipeiensis Wong &amp; Shiao, 2018) associated with the fig tree Ficus benguetensis, the head and mandible allometry and injuries were examined as well as the morphologies of their heads and mandibles. Male fig wasps of these two nonpollinating species can be divided into two morphological groups according to their head and mandible shapes. Approximately 88% of the Philotrypesis and 62% of the Sycorycteridea males were injured and no males belonging to largest morphs were decapitated. Moreover, nearly 31% of the Philotrypesis and 45% of the Sycorycteridea males left their natal figs. No difference in injury level or male exit rate between the male morphs was observed. This study reveals slight morphological and behavioral differences that may hint towards different mating strategies among morphs.

scholarly journals More examples of breakdown the 1:1 partner specificity between figs and fig wasps

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yu ◽  
Yaolin Liao ◽  
Yufen Cheng ◽  
Yongxia Jia ◽  
Stephen G. Compton
Keyword(s):  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Heterospecific Pollen ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Obligate Mutualism ◽  
Pollinator Sharing ◽  
Similar Appearance ◽  
Fig Trees

Abstract Background The obligate mutualism between fig trees (Ficus, Moraceae) and pollinating fig wasps (Agaonidae) is a model system for studying co-evolution due to its perceived extreme specificity, but recent studies have reported a number of examples of trees pollinated by more than one fig wasp or sharing pollinators with other trees. This will make the potential of pollen flow between species and hybridization more likely though only few fig hybrids in nature have been found. We reared pollinator fig wasps from figs of 13 Chinese fig tree species and established their identity using genetic methods in order to investigate the extent to which they were supporting more than one species of pollinator (co-pollinator). Results Our results showed (1) pollinator sharing was frequent among closely-related dioecious species (where pollinator offspring and seeds develop on different trees); (2) that where two pollinator species were developing in figs of one host species there was usually one fig wasp with prominent rate than the other. An exception was F. triloba, where its two pollinators were equally abundant; (3) the extent of co-pollinator within one fig species is related to the dispersal ability of them which is stronger in dioecious figs, especially in small species. Conclusions Our results gave more examples to the breakdown of extreme specificity, which suggest that host expansion events where pollinators reproduce in figs other than those of their usual hosts are not uncommon among fig wasps associated with dioecious hosts. Because closely related trees typically have closely related pollinators that have a very similar appearance, the extent of pollinator-sharing has probably been underestimated. Any pollinators that enter female figs carrying heterospecific pollen could potentially generate hybrid seed, and the extent of hybridization and its significance may also have been underestimated.

scholarly journals Ancient fig wasps indicate at least 34 Myr of stasis in their mutualism with fig trees

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 838-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Compton ◽  
Alexander D. Ball ◽  
Margaret E. Collinson ◽  
Peta Hayes ◽  
Alexandr P. Rasnitsyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Species ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Host Trees ◽  
Modern Species ◽  
Recent Species ◽  
Anatomical Characters ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
The Relationship

Fig wasps and fig trees are mutually dependent, with each of the 800 or so species of fig trees ( Ficus , Moraceae) typically pollinated by a single species of fig wasp (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae). Molecular evidence suggests that the relationship existed over 65 Ma, during the Cretaceous. Here, we record the discovery of the oldest known fossil fig wasps, from England, dated at 34 Ma. They possess pollen pockets that contain fossil Ficus pollen. The length of their ovipositors indicates that their host trees had a dioecious breeding system. Confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy reveal that the fossil female fig wasps, and more recent species from Miocene Dominican amber, display the same suite of anatomical characters associated with fig entry and pollen-carrying as modern species. The pollen is also typical of modern Ficus . No innovations in the relationship are discernible for the last tens of millions of years.

scholarly journals Fig trees (Ficus spp.) and their pollinating wasps in Universitas Syiah Kuala Campus, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

2022 ◽  
Vol 951 (1) ◽  
pp. 012062
Author(s):  
J Jauharlina ◽  
A Anhar ◽  
M Minarti
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Fig Wasps ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Unique System ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Fig Tree ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
Banda Aceh

Abstract Fig trees (Ficus spp.) and their pollinating wasps (Hymenoptera; Agaonindae) are a unique system to study mutualism. Female fig wasps deposit eggs and develop their progeny in galled female flowers inside the figs, while fig wasps pollinate females flower inside the same figs. A study investigating fig tree species composition and pollinating wasps was conducted at Universitas Syiah Kuala campus, Banda Aceh. We recorded all fig tree species found in the area from Dec 2020 until June 2021. Ten semi-ripe fig fruits on each fig tree were sampled and brought to the laboratory to examine the wasps inside. We recorded 112 individuals fig trees that belonged to 11 species; most of them were monoecious species. The most abundant species was Ficus altissima, followed by F. Benjamina, and F. macrocarpa, while the least was F.racemosa and F. carica. A number of 20.7± 6.5 (Mean ± SE) female pollinator Eupristina koningsbergeri was counted in a single fig of F. benjamina compared to 350.4±45.4 (Mean ± SE) Ceratosolen fusciceps female wasps in fig of F.racemosa. This study has provided an example of obligate mutualism between different species in the local area, which has been observed since a long time ago.

scholarly journals Evidence for the circadian gene period as a proximate mechanism of protandry in a pollinating fig wasp

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 20130914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Feng Gu ◽  
Jin-Hua Xiao ◽  
Derek W. Dunn ◽  
Li-Ming Niu ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Circadian Gene ◽  
Fig Wasp ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Emergence Period ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Proximate Mechanism ◽  
Pigment Dispersing Factor ◽  
Fig Trees

Protandry in insects is the tendency for adult males to emerge before females and usually results from intra-sexual selection. However, the genetic basis of this common phenomenon is poorly understood. Pollinating fig wasp (Agaonidae) larvae develop in galled flowers within the enclosed inflorescences (‘figs’) of fig trees. Upon emergence, males locate and mate with the still galled females. After mating, males release females from their galls to enable dispersal. Females cannot exit galls or disperse from a fig without male assistance. We sampled male and female Ceratosolen solmsi (the pollinator of Ficus hispida ) every 3 h over a 24 h emergence period, and then measured the expression of five circadian genes: period ( per ), clock ( clk ), cycle ( cyc ), pigment-dispersing factor ( pdf ) and clockwork orange ( cwo ). We found significant male-biased sexual dimorphism in the expression of all five genes. per showed the greatest divergence between the sexes and was the only gene rhythmically expressed. Expression of per correlated closely with emergence rates at specific time intervals in both male and female wasps. We suggest that this rhythmical expression of per may be a proximate mechanism of protandry in this species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document