CHCs-mediated functional convergence and seasonal divergence in sympatric fig wasp mating aggregations

Experimental data from the study "CHCs-mediated functional convergence and seasonal divergence in sympatric fig wasp mating aggregations".
This study explores how chemical communication resolves interspecific mating conflicts among five sympatric Ficus semicordata-associated fig wasp species. We demonstrate that species-specific cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, coupled with sexual dimorphism and male mate choice, enforce reproductive isolation while minimizing crossbreeding. Convergent CHC patterns in functional groups reflect shared resource strategies, yet phenotypic plasticity driven by seasonal shifts and interspecific interactions enables adaptive responses. Crucially, CHC convergence across trophic levels reveals climate adaptation via functional redundancy, while sex-specific profiles align with reproductive roles: males prioritize mate-search efficiency, and females optimize offspring survival. By balancing niche partitioning (distinct signature compounds) and environmental adaptability (shared functional traits), CHCs mediate ecological trade-offs under spatiotemporal pressures.
Our work advances the understanding of how chemical communication mediates both reproductive isolation and ecological adaptation—a topic of broad relevance to studies on speciation, coexistence, and climate resilience. By integrating chemical ecology, behavioral experiments, and ecological trait analysis, we provide a holistic perspective on how spatiotemporal pressures drive phenotypic and functional diversity in insect communities.