Pollination mode in fig wasps: the predictive power of correlated traits.
AUTOR(ES)
Kjellberg, F.
RESUMO
The over 700 species of Ficus are thought to have co-speciated with their obligate pollinators (family Agaonidae). Some of these wasp species pollinate figs actively, while others are passive pollinators. Based on direct observations of mode of pollination in 88 species, we show that mode of pollination can confidently be predicted from fig traits only (anther-to-ovule ratio) or from wasp traits only (presence of coxal combs). The presence of pollen pockets is not a predictor of mode of pollination. Data, direct and indirect, on 142 species, demonstrate numerous cases of the loss of active pollination and suggest one or few origins of active pollination. Hence, active pollination, an impressive example of the sophisticated traits that may result from mutualistic coevolution, depends on selective forces that can be overcome in some species, allowing reversions. Despite frequent loss, active pollination remains the predominant mode of pollination in Ficus.
ACESSO AO ARTIGO
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1088715Documentos Relacionados
- Cryptic species of fig-pollinating wasps: Implications for the evolution of the fig–wasp mutualism, sex allocation, and precision of adaptation
- Dispersal of first “workers” in social wasps: Causes and implications of an alternative reproductive strategy
- Phylogenetic relationships, historical biogeography and character evolution of fig-pollinating wasps.
- Evidence of maternal segregation distortion in the sickle cell and beta thalassaemia traits.
- The Effects of Spontaneous Mutation on Quantitative Traits. I. Variances and Covariances of Life History Traits