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

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

SUBMITTER: Yu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8502184 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature