Data from: Climate warming and the potential extinction of fig wasps, the obligate pollinators of figs

Figs (Ficus) have a reciprocally obligate mutualism with tiny, short-lived (1–2 days) fig wasps (Agaonidae). The small size and short life of these pollinators is expected to make them more vulnerable to climate change than their larger and longer-lived hosts. We experimentally tested the thermal tolerances of four species of adult female fig wasps from equatorial Singapore. The results suggest that an increase of ≥ 3oC above the current temperatures experienced across much of the equatorial tropics would markedly decrease the active adult lifespan of all four species. Fig plants are the center of an intricate web of specialist and generalist animals. Unless fig wasps can acclimate or adapt to warmer temperatures in time, these responses may disrupt the mutualism, potentially affecting multiple trophic levels.

榕属植物（Ficus）与体型微小、寿命仅1~2天的榕小蜂（Agaonidae）存在专性互惠共生关系。相较于体型更大、寿命更长的宿主植物，这类传粉者的微小体型与短促寿命使其更易受到气候变化的影响。本研究针对来自赤道新加坡的4种雌性成年榕小蜂开展了耐热性实验检测。结果显示，若赤道热带多数区域的气温较当前水平升高3℃及以上，将显著缩短这4种榕小蜂的成虫活动寿命。榕属植物是由特化与广食性动物构成的复杂共生网络的核心枢纽。若榕小蜂无法及时通过热驯化或适应性演化适应升温环境，上述效应可能打破二者的互惠共生关系，进而潜在影响多个营养级。