INTERAÇÕES ENTRE VESPAS POLINIZADORAS E NÃO-POLINIZADORAS ASSOCIADAS A Ficus obtusifolia

Abstract

Fig trees have a obligate and species-specific mutualistic relationship with wasps of the family Agaonidae, their only pollinators. In addition to pollinating, these wasps use Ficus flowers as an oviposition site, occupying some of the flowers that would generate seeds. Several other lineages of Chalcidoidea use Ficus inflorescences as an oviposition site, and can cause several different impacts on the reproductive components of the plant. They may occupy some flowers in the same way as pollinators (but without pollinating) or they can feed on larvae of other wasps (pollinators or non-pollinators) or other tissues induced by them, developing as kleptoparasites or parasitoids. In the present work we analyzed the impact of non-pollinating wasps on seed production and reproduction of pollinating wasps in Ficus obtusifolia, a widely distributed fig tree in the vicinity of Rio Verde - GO. We also analyzed the spatial distribution, size and shape of the galls of wasps associated with this plant, aimimng at understanding the patterns of occupation within the syconium. Figs were collected in the wasp emergence phase, then measured and dissected. The wasps were quantified and identified in morphospecies, and the flowers and seeds of the fig were also quantified. Individuals belonging to Pegoscapus (pollinator), Anidarnes, Aepocerus and Idarnes were found. The abundance of seeds was negatively related to the abundance of non-pollinating wasps, whereas the number of seeds was positively related with the number of pollinating wasps. The presence of non-pollinators was negatively related to the abundance of pollinators. The results observed may show an effect of competition for oviposition sites within the syconium, which can hinder both the reproduction of pollinating wasps and seed production. Wasps with parasitoid biology and parasites also affect this abundance by feeding on the larvae of other wasps or killing them by starving. The galls belonging to females of Pegoscapus have oval shape and occur near the lumen of the syconium. Males of the same genus have rounded galls closer to the fig wall. Galls of a species of Idarnes have an oval shape, as well as pollinators, but are located in more peripheral areas since these wasps ovipose from the outer side of the fig.