Disturbance effects on community structure of Ficus tinctoria fig wasps in Xishuangbanna, China: implications for the fig/fig wasp mutualism
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State: Public
Version: Final published version
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_BE43207A4757
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Disturbance effects on community structure of Ficus tinctoria fig wasps in Xishuangbanna, China: implications for the fig/fig wasp mutualism
Journal
Insect Science
ISSN
1744-7917 (electronic)
ISSN-L
1672-9609
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2009
Volume
16
Number
5
Pages
417-424
Language
english
Abstract
Fig trees are important components of tropical forests, because their fruits are eaten by so many vertebrates, but they depend on pollinating fig wasps to produce mature fruits. Disturbance to habitat structure can have a major impact on insect diversity and composition, potentially reducing fruit yields. We investigated the impact of habitat disturbance on the fig wasp community associated with male figs of Ficus tinctoria in Xishuangbanna, China. The community comprised one pollinator species Liporrhopalum gibbosae and six non-pollinating wasp species: Sycoscapter sp.1, Philotrypesis ravii, Philotrypesis sp.1, Neosycophila omeomorpha, Sycophila sp.1, and Walkerella sp.1. More disturbed areas were characterized by higher temperatures, less shade, and more vehicle noise. The response of the fig wasp community was complex, with no simple relationship between intensity of disturbance and pollinator abundance. However, the sex ratios (proportion of male progeny) of pollinators increased significantly in more disturbed areas. We conclude that potential changes in fig wasp community composition brought about by disturbance, are unpredictable, with unclear consequences for tropical rainforest biodiversity.
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
23/06/2015 21:58
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:32