The importance of fig characteristics for fig wasp morphospecies and diversity

Ficus sycomorus is a keystone species on a macro level but yet is highly dependent on the fig wasps for its reproductive success. The relationship between F. sycomorus and fig wasps has been largely studied in ecology. More importantly, the relationship is an ideal model for co-evolutionary processes. It is thus essential to study what fig characteristics facilitate wasp populations inside figs. In this study, the influence of ripeness and size of the fig as well as location and human influence on the figs’ habitat were examined as possible determinants of wasp diversity in figs. After surveying 13 crops of F. sycomorus inflorescence, a total of 12 morphospecies were identified. We found that ripeness, location, and human disturbance are the key characteristics for species diversity. Fruit diameter did not show any relation with wasp diversity or abundance. Ripeness, at a micro scale, is an effective tool for selecting figs with high wasp morphospecies diversity. We found that F. sycomorus occurring in riparian areas and non-human impacted areas have higher species diversity.