聚果榕传粉榕小蜂传粉与产卵之间的权衡

【目的】榕树(Ficus)依赖专性榕小蜂(Agaonidae)传粉,同时为传粉榕小蜂提供繁衍后代的场所,两者形成动植物间经典的协同进化关系。在雌花期果内,榕小蜂需在有限的存活时间内完成传粉和产卵,而传粉榕小蜂如何在传粉与产卵之间进行权衡仍然是悬而未解的问题。本研究旨在明确传粉榕小蜂——一种栉颚榕小蜂Ceratosolen sp.在雌雄同株的聚果榕Ficus racemosa雌花期果内的行为活动及繁殖模式。【方法】借助测微尺测量聚果榕榕果雌花花柱长度与传粉榕小蜂(Ceratosolen sp.)产卵器长度,通过显微视频记录传粉榕小蜂在雌花期果内搜索、传粉及产卵行为;结合单果控制性引蜂试验,测定不同阶段榕小蜂个体大小、孕卵量、携粉量,以及雄花期最终繁殖的榕小蜂后代和榕果种子数量。【结果】聚果榕雌花花柱长度存在树间变异,榕小蜂产卵器长度比绝大多数的雌花花柱长,说明该小蜂可以产卵于大部分的雌花子房里。通常个体大的榕小蜂孕卵量更多,但个体大小与携粉量之间相关性不显著。观察发现,榕小蜂进入雌花期榕果内,前6 h集中产卵,可产下孕卵量的95%,平均搜索用时27 s,产卵用时46 s,此期间传粉行为少见,花粉筐中携带花粉量亦无明显变化;榕小蜂进果后6-24 h,主要执行传粉,其行为主动,连贯高效,单次传粉用时平均为2 s,最终可传完携粉量的80%。控制引蜂试验也证实榕小蜂进入榕果内前6 h主要执行产卵繁殖后代,之后6-24 h主要执行传粉以繁殖榕树种子。【结论】在雌雄同株的聚果榕雌花期榕果内,榕小蜂先产卵、后传粉。本研究首次展示了传粉榕小蜂在聚果榕雌花期榕果内的产卵和传粉行为,并获得与行为相匹配的产卵量和传粉繁殖量,反映了具主动传粉行为的榕小蜂在传粉和产卵之间存在时间和数量上的权衡。     

聚果榕传粉榕小蜂传粉与产卵之间的权衡

【目的】榕树(Ficus)依赖专性榕小蜂(Agaonidae)传粉,同时为传粉榕小蜂提供繁衍后代的场所,两者形成动植物间经典的协同进化关系。在雌花期果内,榕小蜂需在有限的存活时间内完成传粉和产卵,而传粉榕小蜂如何在传粉与产卵之间进行权衡仍然是悬而未解的问题。本研究旨在明确传粉榕小蜂——一种栉颚榕小蜂Ceratosolen sp.在雌雄同株的聚果榕Ficus racemosa雌花期果内的行为活动及繁殖模式。【方法】借助测微尺测量聚果榕榕果雌花花柱长度与传粉榕小蜂(Ceratosolen sp.)产卵器长度,通过显微视频记录传粉榕小蜂在雌花期果内搜索、传粉及产卵行为;结合单果控制性引蜂试验,测定不同阶段榕小蜂个体大小、孕卵量、携粉量,以及雄花期最终繁殖的榕小蜂后代和榕果种子数量。【结果】聚果榕雌花花柱长度存在树间变异,榕小蜂产卵器长度比绝大多数的雌花花柱长,说明该小蜂可以产卵于大部分的雌花子房里。通常个体大的榕小蜂孕卵量更多,但个体大小与携粉量之间相关性不显著。观察发现,榕小蜂进入雌花期榕果内,前6 h集中产卵,可产下孕卵量的95%,平均搜索用时27 s,产卵用时46 s,此期间传粉行为少见,花粉筐中携带花粉量亦无明显变化;榕小蜂进果后6-24 h,主要执行传粉,其行为主动,连贯高效,单次传粉用时平均为2 s,最终可传完携粉量的80%。控制引蜂试验也证实榕小蜂进入榕果内前6 h主要执行产卵繁殖后代,之后6-24 h主要执行传粉以繁殖榕树种子。【结论】在雌雄同株的聚果榕雌花期榕果内,榕小蜂先产卵、后传粉。本研究首次展示了传粉榕小蜂在聚果榕雌花期榕果内的产卵和传粉行为,并获得与行为相匹配的产卵量和传粉繁殖量,反映了具主动传粉行为的榕小蜂在传粉和产卵之间存在时间和数量上的权衡。     

钝叶榕(Ficus curtipes)非传粉小蜂交配行为

榕树及其传粉榕小蜂繁殖上相互依存,被认为是生物界中协同进化时间最悠久,相互关系最密切的一对生物;在大多数榕树种类的隐头花序内,除了传粉榕小蜂外,还共存着多种非传粉小蜂,它们的繁殖行为直接影响着榕树和传粉榕小蜂的繁殖和互惠稳定.钝叶榕(Ficus curtipes Corner),是一种雌雄同株的绞杀性榕树.研究在西双版纳热带植物园里共收集钝叶榕100个隐头果内的榕小蜂,获得9493号标本;其中,包括1种传粉小蜂和5种非传粉小蜂,钝叶榕传粉小蜂Eupristina sp.占总数的44.66%,杨氏榕树金小蜂Diaziella yangi 占46.13%,而其它4种非传粉小蜂(Lipothymus sp., Sycobia sp., Philotrypesis sp.和Sycoscopter sp.)仅占9.20%.前3种榕小蜂雌蜂进到果腔产卵,其余3种在果外产卵.观测23个钝叶榕榕果出蜂情况发现,6种榕小蜂在钝叶榕隐头花序内遵循严格的羽化出蜂顺序,首先是Sycobia sp.,次之是Lipothymus sp.,再次之是杨氏榕树金小蜂,最后是钝叶榕传粉小蜂、Philotrypesis sp.和Sycoscopter sp..5种非传粉小蜂的交配场所与雄蜂翅型无关,雄蜂有翅型的杨氏榕树金小蜂大部分交配在果内完成,而且它们的雄蜂为争夺交配机会存在激烈的打斗行为;雄蜂无翅型的Lipothymus sp.有部分雄蜂爬出隐头果,在果壁和附近的叶片背面交配;雄蜂有翅型的Sycobia sp.,其所有交配都发生在果外;Philotrypesis sp.和Sycoscopter sp. 雄蜂均无翅,它们的交配全发生在果内.局域配偶竞争使榕小蜂性比偏雌,杨氏榕树金小蜂雄蜂虽然有翅,但大部分交配发生在榕果内,这将影响其最佳的性比率.因此,依赖雄蜂翅型并不能很好地预测榕小蜂的交配场所和性比率.     

西双版纳鸡嗉果榕小蜂繁殖和传粉行为

鸡嗉果榕 Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham.ex J. E. Sm.是西双版纳地区常见的榕属植物,它是热带雨林生态系统中的一类先锋树种,当热带雨林被破坏后,它最先在林缘、沟谷和路边迅速生长起来,是热带和亚热带地区森林生态系统恢复初期一类重要物种。在西双版纳通过不同样地定树、定期生态学观察和室内剖查不同生长时期的鸡嗉果榕隐头果的方法,对榕小蜂繁殖和传粉行为进行了研究,结果表明,鸡嗉果榕雌雄异株,在西双版纳一年结2～3次隐头果,雌株隐头果内小花由榕小蜂传粉后产生种子。雄株则产生雄花和中性小花,中性小花专门供给传粉小蜂产卵繁殖后代。鸡嗉果榕小蜂Ceratosolen gravelyi Grandi是鸡嗉果榕唯一的传粉昆虫。传粉小蜂的雄蜂比雌蜂早羽化30～90 min,一部分雄虫羽化后,在虫瘿上爬动寻找雌蜂寄生的瘿花,一找到雌蜂寄生的瘿花,就咬破虫瘿的一个小口,把生殖器伸进瘿花与雌蜂交配,一部分雄蜂则在果肉上咬出蜂口。雌蜂交配后,顶大交配孔出蜂爬到雄花区采集花粉,然后,飞出寻找鸡嗉果榕雌花期的嫩隐头果传粉和繁殖后代。到鸡嗉果榕雌株传粉的小蜂能飞翔300～500 m,进果腔传粉行为长达5～27 h,传完粉3～5 h在果腔内死亡。到雄株上繁殖的小蜂一般飞翔在20～100 m左右近距离寻找嫩隐头果,进果腔产卵,每只小蜂在无干扰的情况下可产400多粒卵。除传粉榕小蜂外,在鸡嗉果榕雄株隐头果上还有4种植食、造瘿和复寄生等非传粉小蜂,它们对传粉小蜂的种群繁衍影响很大,常使传粉小蜂的种群数量降低25～70%。每个隐头果内进传粉小蜂量多少对鸡嗉果榕和榕小蜂繁殖有关,最佳进蜂量为3只,高或低于最佳进蜂量对鸡嗉果榕树和它的传粉小蜂繁殖均不利。     

小叶榕隐头果内加利里金小蜂的发生规律

小叶榕Ficus microcarpa是一种广泛分布于亚洲热带和亚热带地区的雌雄同株榕树,在它的隐头果中,除了专一性传粉的榕小蜂外,还寄生着多种非传粉小蜂,这些非传粉小蜂在榕果发育的不同时期来到果外产卵,对榕树和传粉榕小蜂繁衍后代产生不同的影响。加利里金小蜂Odontofroggatia galili是寄生于小叶榕雌花子房里的主要非传粉小蜂。本文在2012~2013年对该种小蜂的发生规律进行了研究,结果表明:该种小蜂雌雄蜂有翅,雄蜂二型,个体大小有显著差异。加利里金小蜂在榕果的雌花前期产卵,能独立造瘿;在西双版纳地区,干热季和雨季从卵发育到成虫羽化需31~38 d,雾凉季则长达58~72 d。成虫在榕果雄花期羽化出蜂,大多数雄蜂在苞片口等待羽化出果的雌蜂交配,雌雄蜂通常仅交配一次;为争夺交配机会,雄蜂间存在激烈打斗,且个体大者获交配机会多。成虫期雌蜂寿命2 d,雄蜂寿命仅1 d。小叶榕40%的树上隐头果内有加利里金小蜂寄生,但不同地区寄生率和单果内加利里金小蜂雌雄蜂数量树间均存在显著差异。在原生地西双版纳地区加利里金小蜂种群小,传粉榕小蜂种群占主导地位;而在引入地昆明地区,加利里金小蜂发生频率高,种群显著较大;随着纬度北移和海拔升高,在榕果内罕见有传粉榕小蜂传粉和繁殖,而加利里金小蜂种群则不断升高。说明小叶榕在海拔较高和纬度偏北地区栽种,不适宜传粉榕小蜂繁殖,而非传粉的加利里金小蜂则较为适应,获得成功繁殖及种群扩张。     

雌花期榕小蜂进入榕果的行为及其活动时间

在西双版纳,钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂Eupristina sp.和杨氏榕树金小蜂Diaziella yangi均在雌花期进入钝叶榕果内繁殖和传粉,比较研究它们进入榕果的行为和活动时间。结果显示:在搜寻苞片处进蜂口时,2种榕小蜂的种内均出现打斗行为,并且杨氏榕树金小蜂的打斗更为激烈,但种间没有打斗行为发生,杨氏榕树金小蜂总是等待钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂先期进入榕果,然后才跟随着进入。在搜寻和进入苞片口通道阶段,钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂均比杨氏榕树金小蜂花费较长时间;而在果腔内产卵、传粉的时间,2种榕小蜂均最多不超过3d。相似的进蜂过程和活动时间,可能是2种榕小蜂与寄主榕树长期协同进化的结果。     

钝叶榕果实内繁殖的两种榕小蜂与寄主榕树间的协同进化

 榕树(Ficus)及其传粉榕小蜂(Agaonidae)构成了高度专一的互惠共生体系。榕树的果实(以下简称榕果)内也寄生着一些非传粉小蜂。 绝大多数非传粉小蜂在榕果外把产卵器刺入果壁产卵到果腔内, 只有极少数种类能够进入果腔内产卵。在西双版纳地区, 钝叶榕(Ficus curtipes)上的杨氏榕树金小蜂(Diaziella yangi)类似于传粉者钝叶榕小蜂(Eupristina sp.), 它也是进入榕果内产卵繁殖后代的, 这就为比 较研究榕果内产卵小蜂与寄主榕树间的关系提供了材料。该文从形态学、行为学和生态学角度比较研究了这两种进入榕果内产卵的小蜂与寄主 钝叶榕之间的作用关系, 研究结果显示: 1)杨氏榕树金小蜂与钝叶榕小蜂的雌蜂头部形状存在趋同进化; 2)两种小蜂的产卵器的平均长度都比 雌花花柱长, 因而能把卵产在子房里; 3)钝叶榕小蜂从瘿花出来需要3~5 h, 交配需要17~19 min, 杨氏榕树金小蜂从瘿花出来只需18~20 min, 交配时间为20~30 s; 4)在自然群落中, 大约90%的雌花期榕果里都只进一只杨氏榕树金小蜂和一只钝叶榕小蜂, 杨氏榕树金小蜂能通过传粉来 增加榕树种子数量, 但对钝叶榕小蜂种群的繁衍造成了极显著的负面影响; 5)两种小蜂于同一时期进入榕果内繁殖, 子代同期成熟羽化, 发育 期与榕树雄花的发育期同步。研究表明: 进入榕果内繁殖的两种小蜂与寄主榕树之间存在着协同进化关系, 杨氏榕树金小蜂为榕树有效地传粉, 这可能是一个由寄生者向互惠方向进化的实例。     

比较钝叶榕的三种传粉者及其传粉效率

钝叶榕 (Ficus curtipes)是雌雄同株,它除了依赖钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂Eupristina sp.传粉外,另外两种进入果内繁殖的杨氏榕树金小蜂Diaziella yangi 和Lipothymus sp.金小蜂也能有效地为它传粉,这3种小蜂同时产卵于雌花的子房内,在榕果内繁殖后代.通过控制性放蜂试验,比较研究钝叶榕3种传粉者的传粉效率,结果表明:自然状态下,3种小蜂在绝大多数榕果里只各进1头.在控制性放蜂试验中,3种小蜂的传粉效率均随着放入雌蜂数量的增加而增加,两种金小蜂的传粉效率有时比钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂的传粉效率还高.当钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂分别与两种金小蜂同时放入榕果内传粉时,其生产的种子数量居于或者是接近两种小蜂单独传粉时形成的种子数量,传粉效率没有显著增加.在比较3种小蜂单种分别放1头和2头的传粉效率时,增加单果放蜂数量,钝叶榕传粉榕小蜂和Lipothymus sp. 的平均传粉效率降低,但杨氏榕树金小蜂的平均传粉效率是增加的.对3种不同属传粉小蜂传粉效率的比较,可为研究榕-蜂互惠系统的互惠的起源提供依据.     

西双版纳鸡嗉果榕内一种非传粉小蜂的性比调节

对西双版纳广泛分布的鸡嗉果榕(Ficus semicordata)雄树上寄生的一种非传粉榕小蜂Apocryptophagus sp.进行控制梯度放蜂实验,结合产卵行为、交配行为观察,定量研究了该种非传粉榕小蜂的性比率.结果表明: Apocryptophagus sp.雌蜂在传粉榕小蜂(Ceratosolen gravelyi)产卵后的第3天开始访问榕果,从果外完成产卵,产卵时间持续2 d左右.发育成熟以后,其雄蜂几乎与传粉榕小蜂雄蜂同时羽化,雄蜂咬开寄生有其雌蜂的瘿花并进行交配,雌蜂交配后从瘿花内羽化出来离开榕果,去寻找新的处于接受期的榕果,而雄蜂一直留在其寄生的榕果内直至死亡.后代性比与局域配偶竞争理论预测一致：性比偏雌,随着在同一榕果产卵的繁殖雌蜂数量的增加,后代性比上升;同时,单个榕果内的后代数量也上升,而平均后代数量却显著下降.在个体水平上,当1头雌蜂在榕果上产卵时,后代性比与后代数量呈显著的负相关关系.     

西双版纳鸡嗉果榕内一种非传粉小蜂的性比调节

对西双版纳广泛分布的鸡嗉果榕（Ficus semicordata）雄树上寄生的一种非传粉榕小蜂Apocryptophagus sp.进行控制梯度放蜂实验,结合产卵行为、交配行为观察,定量研究了该种非传粉榕小蜂的性比率.结果表明：Apocryptophagus sp.雌蜂在传粉榕小蜂（Ceratosolen gravelyi）产卵后的第3天开始访问榕果,从果外完成产卵,产卵时间持续2d左右.发育成熟以后,其雄蜂几乎与传粉榕小蜂雄蜂同时羽化,雄蜂咬开寄生有其雌蜂的瘿花并进行交配,雌蜂交配后从瘿花内羽化出来离开榕果,去寻找新的处于接受期的榕果,而雄蜂一直留在其寄生的榕果内直至死亡.后代性比与局域配偶竞争理论预测一致：性比偏雌,随着在同一榕果产卵的繁殖雌蜂数量的增加,后代性比上升;同时,单个榕果内的后代数量也上升,而平均后代数量却显著下降.在个体水平上,当1头雌蜂在榕果上产卵时,后代性比与后代数量呈显著的负相关关系.     

A switch from mutualist to exploiter is reflected in smaller egg loads and increased larval mortalities in a ‘cheater’ fig wasp

The interaction between the hundreds of Ficus species and their specific pollinating fig wasps (Agaonidae) presents a striking example of mutualism. Foundress fig wasps pollinate fig flowers, but also lay their eggs in (and gall) some of them. Only two cases of cheating fig wasps (that fail to pollinate) have been reported, from two continents, suggesting that there is a cost to abandoning pollination. Reasons for the rarity of cheating are a major question in fig biology, because persistence of the mutualism depends on fig wasps continuing to pollinate. A cost in terms of reduced reproductive success among cheaters could be one explanation. Here we compare the behavior and reproduction of an undescribed Eupristina sp., a cheater that coexists with the pollinator Eupristina altissima on Ficus altissima in southern China. Adult females of both species fought with conspecifics when they were seeking entry through the ostiole into receptive figs, but there was no fighting with heterospecifics. Despite a similar body size, female pollinators contained more eggs than female cheaters. Pollinators and cheaters produced similar number of galls, and although almost twice as many flowers were galled in figs entered by two compared to one foundress, larval mortality was greatly increased when two foundresses were present. Larval mortality was also significantly higher for cheaters compared to pollinators, independent of the number of foundresses. Ovules galled by the cheater were thus significantly less likely to result in adult offspring, suggesting that there are significant costs associated with abandoning the mutualism.     

Measuring the discrepancy between fecundity and lifetime reproductive success in a pollinating fig wasp

Lifetime reproductive success in female insects is often egg‐ or time‐limited. For instance in pro‐ovigenic species, when oviposition sites are abundant, females may quickly become devoid of eggs. Conversely, in the absence of suitable oviposition sites, females may die before laying all of their eggs. In pollinating fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), each species has an obligate mutualism with its host fig tree species [Ficus spp. (Moraceae)]. These pro‐ovigenic wasps oviposit in individual ovaries within the inflorescences of monoecious Ficus (syconia, or ‘figs’), which contain many flowers. Each female flower can thus become a seed or be converted into a wasp gall. The mystery is that the wasps never oviposit in all fig ovaries, even when a fig contains enough wasp females with enough eggs to do so. The failure of all wasps to translate all of their eggs into offspring clearly contributes to mutualism persistence, but the underlying causal mechanisms are unclear. We found in an undescribed Brazilian Pegoscapus wasp population that the lifetime reproductive success of lone foundresses was relatively unaffected by constraints on oviposition. The number of offspring produced by lone foundresses experimentally introduced into receptive figs was generally lower than the numbers of eggs carried, despite the fact that the wasps were able to lay all or most of their eggs. Because we excluded any effects of intraspecific competitors and parasitic non‐pollinating wasps, our data suggest that some pollinators produce few offspring because some of their eggs or larvae are unviable or are victims of plant defences.     

Secondary galling: a novel feeding strategy among ‘non‐pollinating’ fig wasps from Ficus curtipes

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Relative investment in egg load and poison sac in fig wasps: Implications for physiological mechanisms underlying seed and wasp production in figs

Fig pollinating wasps and most non-pollinator wasps apply secretions from their poison sacs into oviposited flowers that appear necessary to the formation of the galls that their developing offspring consume. Thus, both eggs and poison sac secretions appear to be essential for wasp reproduction, but the relative investment in each is unknown. We measured relative investment in poison sac and egg production in pollinating and non-pollinating wasps associated with seven species of monoecious Panamanian figs representing both active and passive pollination syndromes. We then collected similar data for four fig hosts in China, where some wasp species in the genus Eupristina have lost the ability to pollinate (“cheaters”). All wasps examined possessed large poison sacs, and we found a strong positive correlation between poison sac size and absolute egg production. In the Panamanian species, the relative poison sac to egg investment was highest in the externally ovipositing non-pollinator wasps, followed by active pollinators, then by passive pollinators. Further, pollinator wasps of fig species with demonstrated host sanctions against “cheating” wasps showed higher investment in the poison sac than wasps of species without sanctions. In the Chinese samples, relative investment in the poison sac was indistinguishable between pollinators and “cheaters” associated with the same fig species. We suggest that higher relative investment in poison sac across fig wasp species reflects higher relative difficulty in initiating formation of galls and subsequently obtaining resources from the fig. We discuss the implications for the stability of the fig–wasp mutualism, and for the ability of non-pollinators to exploit this mutualism.     

Permeability of receptive fig fruits and its effects on the re‐emergence behaviour of pollinators

1. Figs and pollinating fig wasps provide a model system for studying mutualism. The permeability of the syconium changes during receptivity or between seasons, which may affect the behaviour of pollinators. Fig fruits are permeable during receptivity, and in some species, pollinators can enter and re‐emerge after oviposition/pollination. We studied the relationship between fig permeability and pollinator re‐emergence behaviour with a functional dioecious fig, Ficus hispida and the obligate pollinator Ceratosolen solmsi marchali. 2. The relationship reflects the interaction of figs and pollinators in the mutualism and also the conflicts of interests between the two partners: figs benefit from the enclosed fig fruits which have low permeability, but pollinators benefit from their re‐emergence behaviour, which requires high fig permeability. 3. The results showed that at the end of receptivity, the permeability of fig fruits lowered rapidly with changes to the ostiole structures, and re‐emergence rate was low, with more re‐emerging pollinators trapped in the ostiolar bracts. Our results also showed that in the rainy season, the length of receptivity was shorter and fig permeability was lower. The re‐emergence rates were also lower than those in the dry season. The results elucidated that figs' interests dominated in the conflicts between fig and pollinating wasp. 4. Based on a new criteria which employed the classification of pollinators found dead in the ostiolar bracts and which involved a survey of 6 monoecious and 12 dioecious fig species, we found that re‐emergence behaviour was prevalent among fig species, and was more prevalent in functional dioecious figs than monoecious ones.     

Interactions between pollinator and non‐pollinator fig wasps: correlations between their numbers can be misleading

Ficus and their species–specific pollinator fig wasps represent an obligate plant–insect mutualism, but figs also support a community of non‐pollinating fig wasps (NPFWs) that consist of phytophages and parasitoids or inquilines. We studied interactions between Kradibia tentacularis, the pollinator of a dioecious fig tree species Ficus montana, and an undescribed NPFW Sycoscapter sp. Members of Sycoscapter sp. oviposited 2–4 weeks after pollinator oviposition, when host larvae were present in the figs. No negative correlation was found between the numbers of the two wasp species emerging from figs in a semi‐natural population. However, in experiments where the numbers of pollinator foundresses entering a fig were controlled, Sycoscapter sp. significantly reduced the numbers of pollinator offspring. Consequently, it can be concluded that Sycoscapter sp. is a parasitoid of K. tentacularis (which may also feed on plant tissue). Sycoscapter females concentrate their oviposition in figs that contain more potential hosts, rendering invalid conclusions based on simple correlations of host and natural enemy numbers.     

Culture-Free Survey Reveals Diverse and Distinctive Fungal Communities Associated with Developing Figs (Ficus spp.) in Panama

The ancient association of figs (Ficus spp.) and their pollinating wasps (fig wasps; Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) is one of the most interdependent plant–insect mutualisms known. In addition to pollinating wasps, a diverse community of organisms develops within the microcosm of the fig inflorescence and fruit. To better understand the multipartite context of the fig–fig wasp association, we used a culture-free approach to examine fungal communities associated with syconia of six species of Ficus and their pollinating wasps in lowland Panama. Diverse fungi were recovered from surface-sterilized flowers of all Ficus species, including gall- and seed flowers at four developmental stages. Fungal communities in syconia and on pollinating wasps were similar, dominated by diverse and previously unknown Saccharomycotina, and distinct from leaf- and stem endophyte communities in the same region. Before pollination, fungal communities were similar between gall- and seed flowers and among Ficus species. However, fungal communities differed significantly in flowers after pollination vs. before pollination, and between anciently diverged lineages of Ficus with active vs. passive pollination syndromes. Within groups of relatively closely related figs, there was little evidence for strict-sense host specificity between figs and particular fungal species. Instead, mixing of fungal communities among related figs, coupled with evidence for possible transfer by pollinating wasps, is consistent with recent suggestions of pollinator mixing within syconia. In turn, changes in fungal communities during fig development and ripening suggest an unexplored role of yeasts in the context of the fig–pollinator wasp mutualism.     

两种Eupristina属小蜂对宿主榕果挥发物和合成信息素的行为反应

高榕,雌雄同株,与其共生的形态高度相似的传粉小蜂Eupristina altissima与非传粉小蜂Eupristina sp.均为果内产卵。利用Y型嗅觉仪生物测定法研究E.altissima和Eupristina sp.对不同发育期高榕榕果挥发物以及合成信息素混合物的行为反应差异。结果表明:E.altissima和Eupristina sp.对高榕雌花期榕果挥发物具极显著趋向行为,对高榕雄花期榕果挥发物具极显著驱避行为,表明E.altissima与Eupristina sp.雌蜂能够敏锐辨别高榕雌花期和雄花期榕果的挥发物,快速远离雄花期榕果,并实现对宿主雌花期榕果的定位。但是,E.altissima与Eupristina sp.对其它发育时期榕果挥发物的行为反应具有差异性,前者对雌前期榕果和传粉或产卵后榕果释放的挥发物存在显著的趋避反应,而后者无明显的行为偏向性,表明E.altissima能够识别雌前期榕果和传粉或产卵后榕果,可避免误入其中而无法繁殖后代,Eupristina sp.则不具备这种识别能力。E.altissima和Eupristina sp.小蜂对合成信息素的行为反应也高度相似,表现为芳樟醇、苯乙烯,以及苯乙烯和金合欢醇的交互作用对两种小蜂选择行为影响显著,组合A_1B_2C_2(0.5%Linalool+1%Benzyl ethylene+1%Farnesol)的混合信息素对两种小蜂具有极显著的驱避作用,而组合A_2B_1C_1(1%Linalool+0.5%Benzyl ethylene+0.5%Farnesol),A_2B_1C_2(1%Linalool+0.5%Benzyl ethylene+1%Farnesol),A2B2C1(1%Linalool+1%Benzyl ethylene+0.5%Farnesol)的混合信息素对其具有极显著的吸引作用,但两种小蜂对组合A_1B_1C_1(0.5%Linalool+0.5%Benzyl ethylene+0.5%Farnesol)的行为反应存在差异。两种小蜂对榕果挥发物和合成信息素的反应异同,可能与其触角结构的差异密切相关。研究结果为探究榕-蜂共生体系的化学信号传导机制提供科学依据。     

聚果榕两种非传粉小蜂产卵与果实脱落的关系

在聚果榕与其传粉榕小蜂Ceratosolen fusciceps组成的互利共生系统中,与传粉榕小蜂共存的还有榕树的寄生性小蜂Platyneura testacea和Platyneura mayri.这些寄生性小蜂由于不能给榕树带来任何收益而只是利用榕树的种子或与传粉小蜂竞争植物的雌花资源,因而可能导致榕树与榕小蜂之间合作系统的崩溃.植物果实的脱落机制普遍被认为是维持系统稳定的关键因素之一.然而,定量实验和野外观测发现P. mayri产卵并不会引起果实脱落,只有P. testacea产卵会使果实大量脱落.通过对3株样树进行比较发现:当产卵时的P. testacea数量越多时,它产生的瘿花数就越多,榕果发生脱落的比例越高.P. testacea的过度产卵是导致榕果选择性脱落的主要原因.结果表明:脱落机制并不能完全阻止非传粉小蜂的寄生,榕树只能选择性地脱落掉先于传粉小蜂产卵的榕果.这也同时表明维持榕树与榕小蜂互利共存的机制不仅仅只有榕果的脱落机制,可能还存在其它未被发现的机制.     

薜荔榕小蜂对薜荔和爱玉子雌花期榕果挥发物的行为反应

薜荔和爱玉子均属雌雄异株桑科榕属植物,两者互为原变种与变种的关系,分别与薜荔传粉小蜂和爱玉子传粉小蜂(二者互为隐存种)建立了专性共生关系,榕树榕果挥发物在维系传粉小蜂与其寄主的共生关系上起着重要作用。利用Y型嗅觉仪测定薜荔榕小蜂(薜荔和爱玉子的传粉小蜂)对薜荔和爱玉子雌花期榕果挥发物的行为反应。结果表明:(1)雌花期果型的大小对薜荔榕小蜂行为反应无显著影响,薜荔大、小果型雌花期雌(雄)榕果挥发物对其传粉小蜂均具有强烈的吸引作用;(2)榕果挥发物浓度影响薜荔榕小蜂行为反应,薜荔、爱玉子雌花期雌(雄)榕果挥发物对其传粉小蜂的吸引作用均可能存在阈值反应,即榕果挥发物浓度未超过阈值时,雌花期榕果挥发物对传粉小蜂的吸引作用与挥发物浓度成正相关关系,而一旦超过阈值,榕果挥发物对传粉蜂的吸引作用显著下降,表明寄主榕果挥发物浓度影响传粉小蜂的寄主定位;(3)薜荔传粉小蜂对低浓度爱玉子雌花期雌(雄)榕果挥发物、爱玉子传粉小蜂对低浓度薜荔雌花期雌(雄)榕果挥发物均既无趋向也无驱避行为;薜荔传粉小蜂对高浓度的爱玉子雌花期雌(雄)榕果挥发物表现为显著的驱避行为,而爱玉子传粉小蜂对高浓度薜荔雌(雄)雌花期榕果挥发物表现为显著的趋向行为,因此,薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂存在寄主专一性不对称现象,爱玉子传粉小蜂进入薜荔雌(雄)果内传粉或产卵的可能性较大,而福州地区的薜荔传粉小蜂可能难以进入爱玉子雌(雄)果内传粉或产卵。本研究结果将为榕-蜂共生体系的化学生态学理论研究以及爱玉子栽培提供科学依据。