Secretory structures in syconia of Ficus L. species (Moraceae)

Author(s)

Camila Devicaro de Souza

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-04-09

Examining board members

Simone de Pádua Teixeira; Kayna Agostini; Cristina Ribeiro Marinho

• Advisor: Simone de Pádua Teixeira

Abstract

Ficus species and their pollinating wasps represent one of the most specialized and currently studied mutualistic systems, in which each representative directly depends on the other for its reproduction. Wasps that newly emerged from a fig carry pollen on their bodies and are attracted by the scent produced by another plants syconium (= inflorescence), in its receptive phase. Upon entering the syconium through its opening (ostiole), not only the wasps lay their eggs, but also pollinate the open female flowers, starting a new life cycle. Despite numerous studies involving chemical, phylogenetic, ecological, coevolutionary and reproductive issues regarding this fig-fig wasp mutualism, studies comprising syconiums anatomy and secretory structures present in this inflorescence are rare. Therefore the aim of this study was to locate and characterize the active secretory structures in receptive phase of syconia in nine species, representing different lineages of the genus. We intended to find the glands responsible for the production of fragrances that are attractive to pollinating wasps, and also structures that secrete substances acting in syconium protection. Receptive syconia of F. auriculata, F. citrifolia, F. lyrata, F. microcarpa, F. montana, F. obtusiuscula, F. pumila, F. tikoua and F. variegata were collected and processed according to the usual techniques for analyses in photonic and scanning electron microscopies. Great diversity of secretory structures was found in syconia of investigated species. For the first time, the sites producing attractive fragrances were identified and consist of scent glands (osmophores) of distinct location: ostiolar bracts and inflorescence receptacle. Both osmophores apparently act on the attraction of wasps over long distances, but the osmophore of the inflorescence receptacle seems to also act in chemostimulation by contact pollinating wasps land on receptive syconium and are encouraged to enter the inflorescence. These glands would have arisen in the genus Ficus (they do not occur in ancestral lineages in the same family), which confirms the importance of volatiles in the maintenance of fig-fig wasp mutualism. In addition to the scent glands, syconia of Ficus species present other secretory structures that are not associated to the attraction of pollinators: laticifers, phenolic idioblasts, phenolic epidermis and phenolic-secreting trichomes, occurring in ostiolar bracts, inflorescence receptacle and floral tissues. These structures must act in the protection of the syconium, an extremely important structure that ensures the continuity of generations cycles of plant species and their pollinators. The interaction with a large number of phytophagous animals and the high cost of herbivory for the reproductive success of the species were probably the factors that led to the selection of these structures along the evolution of the group. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/01247-7 - Scent glands on inflorescences of Ficus L. (Moraceae)
• Grantee: Camila Devicaro de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master