Diversity of Figs and Their Pollinators in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

A study of the diversity of fig trees (Ficus spp.) and their pollinators in parts of Chiang Mai Province in Thailand was conducted from June 2007 to May 2009. 13 monoecious and 13 dioecious species were recorded (twenty-nine taxa in total) representing all six subgenera. The largest group of 11 species belonged to subgenus Urostigma followed by Sycomorus with 8 species, Ficus, Sycidium and Synoecia each with 2 species and Pharmacosycea with 1 species. Some fig trees such as E benjamina L., F. hispida L.f. and F. racemosa L. were found commonly in both lower and upper areas (310-1,200 m asl.), while some were found in small populations and restricted to specific habitats, such as limestone areas (F. anserina Corner and F. anastomosans Wall.). The study revealed a large number of fig wasp species, but only one species functioned as the pollinator. Pollinators of 20 fig species were identified, with Ceratosolen emarginatus Mayr recorded in both F. auriculata Lour and F. oligodon Miq. In this study, pollinators of F. anserina, F. curtipes, F. rumphii, F pumila and F. maclellandii could not be found.