Ficus yoponensis: Difference between revisions

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''Ficus yoponensis'' is pollinated by the fig wasp ''[[Tetrapus]] [[Tetrapus ecuadoranus|ecuadoranus]]'': 58% of figs are fertilised by only one female.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1098/rspb.2002.2100}}</ref>
''Ficus yoponensis'' is pollinated by the fig wasp ''[[Tetrapus]] [[Tetrapus ecuadoranus|ecuadoranus]]'': 58% of figs are fertilised by only one female.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1098/rspb.2002.2100}}</ref>


The fruits and leaves of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' are eaten by several species. The fruits are eaten by [[bat]]s, which then disperse their seeds.<ref name="Croat1978"/> The stipules and fruits are collected by the [[leaf cutter ant]], ''[[Atta colombica]]''.<ref name="Wirth2003">{{cite book|author=Rainer Wirth|title=Herbivory of leaf-cutting ants: a case study on Atta colombica in the tropical rainforest of Panama|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=LReRgERJxDsC&pg=PA96|accessdate=20 February 2011|year=2003|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783540438960|pages=96–}}</ref> The leaves and fruits are the prefered fruit of [[howler monkey]]s (''[[Alouatta palliata]]''), with one troop on BCI spending one quarter of its time feeding on ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' or ''F.&nbsp;insipida''.<ref name="Garber2000">{{cite book|author=Paul Alan Garber|title=On the move: how and why animals travel in groups|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=KvffRQh5-noC&pg=PA384|accessdate=20 February 2011|year=2000|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226063393|pages=384–}}</ref> [[Spider monkey]]s (''[[Ateles geoffroyi]]'' also feed on the leaves, which contain 11% protein and 4% sugars and remain similar in chemical composition throughout their lifespan, unlike most tree species.<ref name="PereiraFairbanks2002">{{cite book|author1=Michael Eric Pereira|author2=Lynn A. Fairbanks|title=Juvenile primates: life history, development, and behavior|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=1-HWKKKIhBQC&pg=PA177|accessdate=20 February 2011|date=30 May 2002|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226656229|pages=177–}}</ref><ref>{{cite jstor|2460457}}</ref> When fresh, the young leaves contain up to 585&nbsp;mg of [[ascorbic acid]] ([[vitamin C]]) per {{convert|100|g|oz}} and the fruits contain 268&nbsp;mg per 100&nbsp;g. Like humans ''A.&nbsp;palliata'' and ''A.&nbsp;geoffroyi'' require vitamin C in their diet, since they do not possess the gene for [[L-gulonolactone oxidase]], the enzyme required to convert glucose to ascorbic acid. The fruits of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' contain more vitamin C than any other fruit available to the monkeys on BCI.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1007/BF01945577}}</ref>
The fruits and leaves of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' are eaten by several species. The fruits are eaten by [[bat]]s, which then disperse their seeds.<ref name="Croat1978"/> The stipules and fruits are collected by the [[leaf cutter ant]], ''[[Atta colombica]]''.<ref name="Wirth2003">{{cite book|author=Rainer Wirth|title=Herbivory of leaf-cutting ants: a case study on Atta colombica in the tropical rainforest of Panama|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=LReRgERJxDsC&pg=PA96|accessdate=20 February 2011|year=2003|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783540438960|pages=96–}}</ref> The leaves and fruits are the prefered fruit of [[howler monkey]]s (''[[Alouatta palliata]]''), with one troop on BCI spending one quarter of its time feeding on ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' or ''F.&nbsp;insipida''.<ref name="Garber2000">{{cite book|author=Paul Alan Garber|title=On the move: how and why animals travel in groups|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=KvffRQh5-noC&pg=PA384|accessdate=20 February 2011|year=2000|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226063393|pages=384–}}</ref> [[Spider monkey]]s (''[[Ateles geoffroyi]]'') also feed on the leaves, which contain 11% protein and 4% sugars and remain similar in chemical composition throughout their lifespan, unlike most tree species.<ref name="PereiraFairbanks2002">{{cite book|author1=Michael Eric Pereira|author2=Lynn A. Fairbanks|title=Juvenile primates: life history, development, and behavior|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=1-HWKKKIhBQC&pg=PA177|accessdate=20 February 2011|date=30 May 2002|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226656229|pages=177–}}</ref><ref>{{cite jstor|2460457}}</ref> When fresh, the young leaves contain up to 585&nbsp;mg of [[ascorbic acid]] ([[vitamin C]]) per {{convert|100|g|oz}} and the fruits contain 268&nbsp;mg per 100&nbsp;g. Like humans ''A.&nbsp;palliata'' and ''A.&nbsp;geoffroyi'' require vitamin C in their diet, since they do not possess the gene for [[L-gulonolactone oxidase]], the enzyme required to convert glucose to ascorbic acid. The fruits of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' contain more vitamin C than any other fruit available to the monkeys on BCI.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1007/BF01945577}}</ref>


Various invertebrates live in [[Phytotelmata|water-filled holes]] into which leaf litter falls; as it decomposes it provides food for the animals. The leaves of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' soften quickly after falling into the holes and are then eaten by [[Scirtidae|Scirtid beetle]] larvae, leaving only a skeleton behind. An experiment in the rainforest, where leaves of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' were added to an artificial pool containing 650&nbsp;ml of waterfound that sixteen species lived in them, with the mosquito ''[[Culex mollis]]'' being the most abundant. Yanoviak found that the average volume of the holes was {{convert|0.3|l|imppt}} and that they contained 67 individual animals.<ref name=Yanoviak>{{cite doi|10.1007/s004420050843}}</ref>
Various invertebrates live in [[Phytotelmata|water-filled holes]] into which leaf litter falls; as it decomposes it provides food for the animals. The leaves of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' soften quickly after falling into the holes and are then eaten by [[Scirtidae|Scirtid beetle]] larvae, leaving only a skeleton behind. An experiment in the rainforest, where leaves of ''F.&nbsp;yoponensis'' were added to an artificial pool containing 650&nbsp;ml of waterfound that sixteen species lived in them, with the mosquito ''[[Culex mollis]]'' being the most abundant. Yanoviak found that the average volume of the holes was {{convert|0.3|l|imppt}} and that they contained 67 individual animals.<ref name=Yanoviak>{{cite doi|10.1007/s004420050843}}</ref>

Revision as of 12:14, 26 February 2011

Ficus yoponensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Division:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
F. yoponensis
Binomial name
Ficus yoponensis
Synonyms

Ficus multinervis Pittier
Ficus tobagensis Urb.[1]

Ficus yoponensis is a species of fig tree found in Central and South America. It can grow to heights of 40–50 metres (130–160 ft) tall, having a trunk diameter of 1 metre (3.3 ft). The trunk is buttressed, light grey in colour and reasonably smooth. Its petioles are 1–2.5 centimetres (0.39–0.98 in) long, the stipules are straight and 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) long. The leaves and stems are hairless. The leaves are 6–11 centimetres (2.4–4.3 in) long and 2.5–4 centimetres (0.98–1.57 in) wide, but larger in juveniles, being up to 28 centimetres (11 in) long and 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide. The time at which they flower varies between individuals, but each tree tends to flower at a similar time each year. As in all figs, the flowers are enclosed inside the fig and can only be accessed by fig wasps, which enter to pollinate the flowers and lay their own eggs. The resulting fruit grows to 1.8 centimetres (0.71 in) in diameter and turns from green to purple with maturity.[2][3] On average in Panama, F. yoponensis produce a new flush of leaves every 20 weeks and flower every 25 weeks.[4] The species is similar in appearance to Ficus insipida but has smaller leaves, stipules and fruits and only occurs in primary forest whereas F. insipida is also found in secondary forest.[3][2]

Distribution

Ficus yoponensis is found in Central and South America from Chiapas in Mexico in the north to Colombia and Venezuela in the south. It grows from sea level to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level but is usually found between 500 to 1,200 metres (1,600 to 3,900 ft).[2] Along with F. insipida it is one of the two most abundant species of fig tree found on Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI).[5]

Ecology

Ficus yoponensis is pollinated by the fig wasp Tetrapus ecuadoranus: 58% of figs are fertilised by only one female.[6]

The fruits and leaves of F. yoponensis are eaten by several species. The fruits are eaten by bats, which then disperse their seeds.[2] The stipules and fruits are collected by the leaf cutter ant, Atta colombica.[7] The leaves and fruits are the prefered fruit of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), with one troop on BCI spending one quarter of its time feeding on F. yoponensis or F. insipida.[8] Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) also feed on the leaves, which contain 11% protein and 4% sugars and remain similar in chemical composition throughout their lifespan, unlike most tree species.[9][10] When fresh, the young leaves contain up to 585 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) per 100 grams (3.5 oz) and the fruits contain 268 mg per 100 g. Like humans A. palliata and A. geoffroyi require vitamin C in their diet, since they do not possess the gene for L-gulonolactone oxidase, the enzyme required to convert glucose to ascorbic acid. The fruits of F. yoponensis contain more vitamin C than any other fruit available to the monkeys on BCI.[11]

Various invertebrates live in water-filled holes into which leaf litter falls; as it decomposes it provides food for the animals. The leaves of F. yoponensis soften quickly after falling into the holes and are then eaten by Scirtid beetle larvae, leaving only a skeleton behind. An experiment in the rainforest, where leaves of F. yoponensis were added to an artificial pool containing 650 ml of waterfound that sixteen species lived in them, with the mosquito Culex mollis being the most abundant. Yanoviak found that the average volume of the holes was 0.3 litres (0.53 imp pt) and that they contained 67 individual animals.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Ficus yoponensis Desv". The Plant List. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  2. ^ a b c d Thomas B. Croat (1978). Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press. pp. 350–. ISBN 9780804709507. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b Richard Condit; Rolando Pérez; Nefertaris Daguerre (8 November 2010). Trees of Panama and Costa Rica. Princeton University Press. pp. 325–. ISBN 9780691147109. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  4. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite jstor}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by jstor:2260781, please use {{cite journal}} with |jstor=2260781 instead.
  5. ^ Martin L. Cody; Jeffrey A. Smallwood (1996). Long-term studies of vertebrate communities. Academic Press. pp. 542–. ISBN 9780121780753. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  6. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1098/rspb.2002.2100, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1098/rspb.2002.2100 instead.
  7. ^ Rainer Wirth (2003). Herbivory of leaf-cutting ants: a case study on Atta colombica in the tropical rainforest of Panama. Springer. pp. 96–. ISBN 9783540438960. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  8. ^ Paul Alan Garber (2000). On the move: how and why animals travel in groups. University of Chicago Press. pp. 384–. ISBN 9780226063393. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  9. ^ Michael Eric Pereira; Lynn A. Fairbanks (30 May 2002). Juvenile primates: life history, development, and behavior. University of Chicago Press. pp. 177–. ISBN 9780226656229. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  10. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite jstor}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by jstor:2460457, please use {{cite journal}} with |jstor=2460457 instead.
  11. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1007/BF01945577, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1007/BF01945577 instead.
  12. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1007/s004420050843, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1007/s004420050843 instead.

External links