Active pollination in a functionally dioecious Ficus species: An interplay between pollinator behaviour and floral morphology

Active pollination has evolved four times in brood site mutualisms. When is active, the pollinator's behaviour specifically evolves to ensure flower fertilisation. In functionally dioecious Ficus species, male figs host pollinating wasp larvae, while wasps cannot breed female because styles are longer than ovipositor. Here we investigate hispida. We show that figs, every time laid an egg into a pistillate flower, it removes one pollen grain from its pockets and places on hypopygium. inserts ovipositor next deposited deep within style. Each insertion results insect oviposition. Because of systematic flowers which eggs laid, larvae benefit feeding fertilised endosperm no seed produced. after probing presents only five visits. However, if does occur, this lasts deposition average 10 grains The exposed sticky papillae stigmatic surface collect hypopygium tubes may grow neighbouring stigmas, ensuring secondary dispersal efficient ovule Overall, our study demonstrates floral morphology facilitates precise deposition, beneficial for progeny, compensates not selected those figs. conclude arena interactions with pollinator played out result selection plant maximize fitness. Incidentally, stabilises mutualistic interaction.