Evolutionary ecology of fig wasps associated with the Port Jackson fig

Abstract

Geography plays an important role in the study of evolutionary ecology. It has implications for the coevolution of species interactions, our ability to accurately and confidently delimit species boundaries, and can influence species' adaptations that may provide resilience, or make them vulnerable, to climatic change. A geographic consideration of these issues can help to improve our understanding of the processes generating biodiversity and its fate under predicted climate change. In this thesis, I investigated the genetic structure of a pollinator-parasitoid interaction over a wide geographic range, assessed the reliability of DNA barcoding under different geographic scenarios, and examined the resilience of a temperate fig-pollinating wasp species to climate change. Figs are keystone species in many regions and the fig - pollinator system is a classic example of an obligate mutualism. In this thesis, I explored the evolutionary ecology of pollinator and non-pollinator fig wasps associated with the Port Jackson fig (Ficus rubiginosa) in eastern Australia. This system is particularly interesting due to the sheer number of species that interact within F. rubiginosa fruits. There are five recognised pollinating wasps of F. rubiginosa: Pleistodontes imperialis sp. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (sensu Haine et al. 2006). All of these are parasitised by Sycoscapter non-pollinating fig wasps, of which there are three species: Sycoscapter sp. A, B and C. The results presented in this thesis highlight the importance of population genetic approaches to coevolutionary studies and biodiversity assessments. Importantly, in estimating biodiversity, we must consider contemporary processes that are likely to be shaping the future of biodiversity, rather than focussing purely on past processes that have shaped biodiversity as we see it today. Only then can realistic predictions be made about the future of species under predicted climate change.

Date of Award	2016
Original language	English