Demetriou, J, Koutsoukos, E, Mavrovounioti, N et al. (5 more authors) (2023) A rather unfruitful relationship? Fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of the alien invasive Ficus microcarpa in Cyprus. BioInvasions Records, 12 (2). pp. 573-580. ISSN 2242-1300
Abstract
The Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa) is an Australasian fig tree commonly planted in urban and semi-urban sites throughout the warmer parts of the world. Assisted by its host-specific mutualist pollinator Eupristina verticillata (Agaonidae), F. microcarpa often manages to colonise urban areas outside its native range and can invade natural habitats. In Cyprus, the species is widely planted in city centres, town squares and parks, where seedlings have been observed. Increasing numbers of fig wasp species of Asian origin are being recorded from the Mediterranean and it appears that the pace of colonisation of F. microcarpa is increasing. Fig surveys in Cyprus during the last seven years have uncovered a total of 11 fig wasp species associated with F. microcarpa. The composition of the fig wasp fauna is described here. It includes two species previously unknown from the Western Palearctic: Sycophila petiolata Chen (Eurytomidae) and an undescribed species of uncertain generic affinity (Pteromalidae, Epichrysomallinae) that we refer to as “Eufroggattisca sp. indesc.”. The distribution, ecology and relationships of the Cypriot fig wasps associated with the Chinese banyan are discussed, together with their potential impacts on the spread of their host plant.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Demetriou et al. This is an open access article distributed under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Attribution 4.0 International - CC BY 4.0). |
Keywords: | Agaonidae, alien species, biological invasions, Eurytomidae, first records, Eastern Mediterranean, Pteromalidae |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Biology (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 20 Jun 2023 13:28 |
Last Modified: | 20 Jun 2023 13:28 |
Published Version: | https://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2023/Issue2.as... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre Oy (REABIC) |
Identification Number: | 10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.20 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:200541 |