Cryptic species of fig-pollinating wasps: Implications for the evolution of the fig–wasp mutualism, sex allocation, and precision of adaptation

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0930903100
• Publication Date: 2003-05-13T18:28:41Z
• Authors: Drude Molbo; Carlos A. Machado; Jan G. Sevenster; Laurent Keller; Edward Allen Herre
• Keywords: Mutualism; Sex allocation

Fig-pollinating wasps have provided model systems for developing and testing theories of the evolution mutualism, sex allocation, precision adaptation. With few exceptions, previous studies assumed one species pollinator wasp per host fig species. Here we report genetic data demonstrating coexistence previously undetected cryptic in at least half surveyed. The substantial mitochondrial sequence differences (4.2–6.1%) imply old divergences (≈1.5–5.1 million years ago) among these Furthermore, some pairs seem to be sister taxa, whereas others clearly are not, indicating both long-term on shared hosts colonization novel These findings undermine prevalent notion strict one-to-one specificity between cospeciating figs their pollinators, thereby challenging existing theory concerning stability mutualisms. Moreover, incorporation information significantly improves fit observed ratios predictions local mate-competition theory, further strengthening support allocation