Genetic mosaics in strangler fig trees: implications for tropical conservation

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Genetics
• Botany

Background:

• Strangler figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) are keystone species in tropical forests, crucial for biodiversity.
• Fig populations are susceptible to failure at small population sizes, impacting ecological stability.
• Understanding genetic diversity is vital for conservation and ecological studies of figs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic makeup of individual strangler fig trees in Panama.
• To determine the frequency of multiple genotypes within single strangler fig trees.
• To assess the ecological implications of cryptic genetic variation in strangler fig populations.

Main Methods:

• Sampling of six strangler fig species in Panama.
• Genotyping of individual trees to identify distinct genetic individuals within single trees.
• Analysis of flowering phenology in relation to genetic composition.

Main Results:

• Single strangler fig trees were frequently composed of multiple genotypes, formed by individual fusion.
• Strangler fig populations exhibit greater genetic variation than indicated by tree count alone.
• Flowering synchrony or asynchrony of composite genotypes influences pollinator population dynamics and mating system inferences.

Conclusions:

• The presence of multiple genotypes within single strangler fig trees significantly increases population genetic diversity.
• Cryptic genetic variation can enhance pollinator population resilience to low host numbers.
• Accurate assessment of both tree and genotype numbers is essential for understanding and conserving fig populations and their ecological roles.