PHENOLOGY AND POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF 3 BRAZILIAN FIG SPECIES (MORACEAE)

The phenology and pollination ecology of three native fig species were studied in southeastern Brazil. Populations displayed continual sycon ia production, with one species showing intra-tree flowering asynchron y. Pollination of the fig flowers was necessary for the development of the syconia; lack of pollination induced abortion of syconia. All thr ee species follow the general pattern of pollination known for figs, b ut the behavior of the pollinator wasps, Pegoscapus spp., differed in some aspects from those of other neotropical and paleotropical fig was ps, mainly with respect to pollen loading and unloading during pollina tion. The longevity of Pegoscopus wasps outside the syconium was about two days.