Relation of fig fruit characteristics to fruit‐eating bats in the New and Old World tropics

Abstract

Abstract. Long‐term studies of a Panamanian fig community have revealed that the figs separate into two major groups based on distinct patterns in fruit characteristics including fruit size, colour, scent and synchrony of ripening. Furthermore, these differences can be linked to sensory, morphological and behavioural capabilities of the figs' primary dispersers. One group of figs attracts primarily bats; the other group is visited mainly by birds. Whereas fruits of ‘bat’ figs span a wide range of size classes, ripen synchronously and remain green(ish) when ripe, all fruits of ‘bird’ figs have small fruit which ripen asynchronously and turn red when ripe. Among ‘bat’ figs, fruit size is correlated with body size of the bats that prefer them. Based on the consistent differences between ‘bat’ and ‘bird’ fig fruits in Panama we expect similar patterns in Old World figs. Furthermore, since fig‐eating bats of the Old World differ in morphology, behaviour and sensory capabilities from fig‐eating bats of the New World we speculate that these differences should be reflected in differences in fruit characteristics of Old and New World ‘bat’ figs. Personal observations and literature reports of Old World bats and figs are consistent with our predictions.