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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
A rather unfruitful relationship? Fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of the alien invasive Ficus microcarpa in Cyprus
BioInvasions Records, Volume 12, No. 2, Year 2023
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Description
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. © Demetriou et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Demetriou, Jakovos
Greece, Athens
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Cyprus, Nicosia
Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre
Koutsoukos, Evangelos
Greece, Athens
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Radea, Canella
Greece, Athens
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Arianoutsou, Margarita
Greece, Athens
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Roy, Helen Elizabeth
United Kingdom, Wallingford
Uk Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Compton, Stephen G.
United Kingdom, Leeds
University of Leeds
Martinou, Angeliki F.
Cyprus, Nicosia
Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre
Cyprus, Nicosia
The Cyprus Institute
Statistics
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.20
ISSN:
22421300
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study