Fruit characteristics and factors affecting fruit removal in a Panamanian community of strangler figs

Abstract

We describe fruiting characteristics for 12 species in a community of strangler figs (Moraceae: Urostigma) studied in Panama. We quantify diurnal and nocturnal removal rates and proportions of fruits removed, and relate them to the activities of the main dispersers of the figs: bats and birds. These results combined with previous studies show that there are clear differences between fig species with fruit that ripen red and those with fruit that remain green(ish). In the red-fruited species, the fruit are small, ripen asynchronously over relatively long periods, produce little scent, and are mainly taken during the day by birds. In contrast, in the green(ish)-fruited species, the fruits are larger, span a range of sizes, ripen relatively synchronously, produce very distinctive aromas, and are mainly taken at night by bats. This dichotomy in fruiting characteristics suggests coadaptive links between groups of dispersers and different species within the genus Ficus. All fig species produce a range of fruit crop sizes (10-155 fuits/m canopy area) of which a high proportion were removed by seed dispersers (>80%). Removal rates (fruit removed per day) were positively correlated with crop size, suggesting that trees with large crop size attract more frugivores. Removal rates of green-fruited figs were significantly lower and persistence and abortion of ripe fruit were significant higher around full moon, apparently due to the reduced activity of bats. We further estimate the number of bats that are sustained by a tree fruit crop and account for the observed fruit removal. We then discuss the evidence for coadaptation between different groups of figs and their seed dispersers, Finally, we consider the conservation implications for figs as keystone resources in tropical forests.

Structural and ultrastructural characterization of male reproductive tracts and spermatozoa in fig wasps of the genus Pegoscapus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)

“…Ficus is one of the most diverse genera of flowering plants ( Berg andWiebes, 1992 andHarrison, 2005). The nearly 750 described species of Ficus ( Berg, 1989) occur worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, and are considered "keystone" species in tropical forests due to their continual production of fruit, which is essential to a large number of frugivores ( Korine et al, 2000). Figs depend on female wasps to pollinate the flowers and thereby initiate seed production ( Herre andWest, 1997 andHerre, 1999).…”

Exotic tree Artocarpus heterophyllus (Moraceae) invades the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

“…Carauta, personal comunication), as often observed in fig species (Romo 1996;Korine et al 2000;Wendeln et al 2000). Asymmetric competition increases variation in growth rates between dominant and suppressed plants, its onset promotes size inequality, and this effect is heightened by time (Crawley 1997).…”

Reproduction elevates the corticosterone stress response in common fruit bats

“…Artibeus jamaicensis is a medium-sized (45 g) bat that feeds almost exclusively on canopy fruits (Morrison 1978;Kalko et al 1996b;Korine et al 2000). It has been the subject of extensive long-term studies on its demography, natural history and population ecology on BCI, making it one of the best studied bat species in the tropics (Bonaccorso 1979;Handley et al 1991;Kalko et al 1996a;Kalko 1998).…”