ABSTRACT Pollination of the edible fig (Ficus carica cv. Calimyrna) is mediated by a small symbiotic wasp, Blastophaga psenes, that inhabits the syconium cavity of the spring crop of fig pollinator trees (caprifigs). These fig wasps also carry propagules, mainly of Fusarium verticillioides (formerly F. moniliforme) and other Fusarium spp., which cause endosepsis, from pollinator figs to the edi...

As the glycosyl constituents of Ficus pumila L. fruits (Moraceae), three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides, pumilasides A, B and C were isolated together with benzyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, (E)-2-methyl-2-butenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside and rutin. Their structures were characterized as (1S,4S,5R,6R,7S,10S)-1,4,6-trihydroxyeudesmane 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,10S)-1,4-dihydroxymaali...

Evidence from mass, nuclear-magnetic-resonance and infrared spectrometry and from gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography is presented in favour of the presence of cis-trans-decaprenol, -undecaprenol and -dodecaprenol in the mixture of polyprenols (2.6mg./g.) isolated from leaf tissue of Ficus elastica. The trivial names ficaprenol-10, -11 and -12 are proposed. Nuclear-magnetic-resonance studi...

Hindsiothrips sisakhti sp. n. is described from leaf litter in Iran, this being the first record of the genus from this country. A key is provided to the seven Phlaeothripinae genera recorded from Iran that are considered members of the Phlaeothrips-lineage, in which most species are fungus feeding: Aleurodothrips, Hindsiothrips, Hoplandrothrips, Hoplothrips, Idiothrips, Phlaeothrips and Sticto...

The rates and extents of hydrolysis of alpha(S)- and beta-caseins from bovine, caprine, and ovine sodium caseinates produced by an enzymatic extract of the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica, (L.) Miller were evaluated and compared with those produced by a commercial animal rennet. A mechanistic model based on a pseudo-first-order enzymatic reaction, in the presence of first-order deactivation of th...

Host-parasites interaction is a common phenomenon in nature. Diffusive coevolution might maintain stable cooperation in a fig-fig wasps system, in which the exploiter might diversify their genotype, phenotype, or behavior as a result of competition with pollinator, whereas the figs change flower syconia, fruits thickness, and syconia structure. In functionally dioecious Ficus auriculata, male f...

Flowering phenology is central to the ecology and evolution of most flowering plants. In highly-specific nursery pollination systems, such as that involving fig trees (Ficus species) and fig wasps (Agaonidae), any mismatch in timing has serious consequences because the plants must balance seed production with maintenance of their pollinator populations. Most fig trees are found in tropical or s...

Various polysaccharides purified from plants are considered to be biological response modifiers and have been shown to enhance immune responses. Ficus carica L. is a Chinese traditional plant and has been widely used in Asian countries for its anti-tumor properties. Ficus carica polysaccharides (FCPS), one of the most essential and effective components in Ficus carica L., have been considered t...

In addition to pollinator fig wasps, there are several non-pollinating fig wasps associated with monoecious Ficus sp. In order to understand how pollinator fig wasps and non-pollinating fig wasps are distributed across the same syconium, the spatial distribution of fig wasps associated with Ficus altissima and F. benjamina were compared using the pedicle lengths of galls containing each species...

Opuntia ficus indica (family Cactaceae) is used in the treatment of a variety of conditions including metal-induced toxicity. The study reports the protective effects of Opuntia ficus indica (CCE) against lithium carbonate-induced toxicity in rats. Nephrocardiotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats by single dose of lithium carbonate (25 mg/kg b.w twice daily for 30 days). Aqueous extract of ...