Virginity in haplodiploid populations: a study on fig wasps |
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Authors: | H C J GODFRAY |
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Institution: | Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT. - 1 The fig wasps inhabiting the figs of Ficus hispidioides S. Moore in New Guinea were investigated. The galls formed by the pollinating agaonid were also inhabited by two other non-pollinating species of wasp; a third non-pollinating wasp caused the production of a different type of gall, and was itself parasitized by a fourth species. In all species, males were wingless and all matings occurred within the fig.
- 2 It was estimated that 2% of the pollinating fig wasps left the fig unmated. The equivalent figures for three of the non-pollinating wasps were 2%, 4% and 23%. The significance of oviposition by virgin females to the sex allocation strategy of mated females is discussed.
- 3 The absence of fighting and male wing dimorphism were studied in the context of the predictions of their occurrence by Hamilton (1979).
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Keywords: | Fig wasps Agaonidae Torymidae figs sex ratios wing dimorphism male fighting unmatedness |
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