The pollination of Ficus vogelii in Ghana

Abstract

Ficus vogelii is a primitive monoecious species, in which staminate and pistillate flowers are distributed throughout the syconium without localization. There is no bimodal structural distinction between seed flowers and gall flowers, and any pistillate flower is capable of seed production. Each syconium follows a development cycle lasting approximately 45 days. The chief pollen vector is the agaonid wasp Allotriozoon heterandromorphum, which is an obligate symbiont. Adult females of this species have mesothoracic “pockets” in which pollen is carried. Adult males do not display the anther-cutting activity reported in other species. The life cycle of the pollinator is described in relation to the developmental cycle of the syconium.