Reproductive strategy and impact on the fig-pollinator mutualism of one non-pollinating fig wasp species

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2009.08341

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to understand the nature and intensity of interactions between non-pollinating fig wasps and fig-pollinator mutualist wasps, and consequently shed light on why they coexist, we studied interactions between Walkerella sp. and the Ficus curtipes fig-pollinator mutualism in Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden in 2008. The reproductive behaviour of Walkerella sp. was studied by means of observation, and a controlled experiment was applied to study interspecies relationships. Figs only with pollinator, figs only with Walkerella sp., figs with both pollinator and Walkerella sp. and natural figs were compared in this research. Walkerella sp. was observed ovipositing on the outside of the fig. One Walkerella sp. can oviposit on many figs. ANOVA showed that the number of pollinator in figs with both pollinator and Walkerella sp. is significantly lower than that in figs only with pollinator (P < 0.01), while the number of seed did not differ between figs with only pollinators and figs with both Walkerella sp. and pollinator (P = 0.33). The number of Walkerella sp. did not differ among figs with only Walkerella sp., figs with both pollinator and Walkerella sp. and natural figs. Our results support the hypothesis that Walkerella sp. affects pollinator number, but not seed number and there is no inquiline or parasitoid affecting the number of Walkerella sp. The requirement of male pollinators to dig a hole in the fig wall may limit the number of Walkerella sp. eggs in the figs.

Key words: mutualism, Ficus curtipes, fig wasp, reproductive strategy, Walkerella sp.

Zhenji Wang, Fengping Zhang, Yanqiong Peng, Darong Yang. Reproductive strategy and impact on the fig-pollinator mutualism of one non-pollinating fig wasp species[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2009, 17(2): 168-173.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1003.2009.08341

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2009/V17/I2/168

Figures/Tables 3

Fig. 1 Comparison of pollinator offspring and seed number of different treatments. Different letters indicate significant difference at P = 0.05 level, mean ± S.E. Ⅰ, Pollinator only; Ⅲ, Pollinator + Walkerella sp.; Ⅳ, Natural fig.

Fig. 2 Comparison of Walkerella sp. offspring number of different treatments. Different letters indicate significant difference at P=0.05 level, mean ± S.E. II, Nonpollinator only; III, Pollinator + Walkerella sp.; IV, Natural fig.

Table 1 The correlation between Walkerella sp. and other fig wasps in natural figs

小蜂种类 Fig wasps	相关系数 Correlation coefficient	P
Walkerella sp. vs Eupristina sp.	-0.566***	0.001
Walkerella sp. vs Sycobia sp.	0.022^ns	0.455
Walkerella sp. vs Lipothymus sp.	-0.160^ns	0.208
Walkerella sp. vs Ficomila sp.	0.202^ns	0.127
Walkerella sp. vs Diaziella yangi	-0.325*	0.046
Walkerella sp. vs Philotrypesis sp.	-0.144^ns	0.232

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