Pollination mode in fig wasps: the predictive power of correlated traits

The over 700 species of Ficus are thought to have co-speciated with their o bligate pollinators (family Agaonidae). Some of these wasp species pollinat e figs actively, while others are passive pollinators. Based on direct obse rvations of mode of pollination in 88 species, we show that mode of pollina tion can confidently be predicted from fig traits only (anther-to-ovule rat io! or from wasp traits only (presence of coral combs). The presence of pol len pockets is not a predictor of mode of pollination. Data, direct and ind irect, on 142 species, demonstrate numerous cases of the loss of active pol lination and suggest one or few origins of active pollination. Hence, activ e pollination, an impressive example of the sophisticated traits that ma) r esult fi om mutualistic coevolution, depends on selective forces that can b e overcome in some species, allowing reversions. Despite frequent loss, act ive pollination remains the predominant mode of pollination in Ficus.