Abstract
Variability in ovary utilization by figs and their obligate wasp pollinators was measured in middle and lower montane rainforest in New Guinea. Examination of fruit crops from individuals of nine gynodioecious tree species revealed unprecedented levels of variation in seed set and wasp predation. Approximately one-third of all fig flowers were preyed on by wasps. In female figs, the proportion of flowers containing seeds ranged 18 – 97% among the species sampled. In hermaphroditic figs, the proportion of seeds killed by wasps ranged from 12 – 87%. Contrary to expectation, results suggest that fig and wasp reproductive success is positively related in gynodioecious species. The ecological significance of fig reproductive output to tropical rain forests is discussed.
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© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers
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Weiblen, G.D. (1996). Variation in reproductive success of gynodioecious figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) and their pollinators (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) in New Guinea. In: Edwards, D.S., Booth, W.E., Choy, S.C. (eds) Tropical Rainforest Research — Current Issues. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 74. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1685-2_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1685-2_27
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