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- Title
Figs and the Diversity of Tropical Rainforests.
- Authors
Harrison, Rhett D.
- Abstract
Ficus (Moraceae) is arguably one of the most important plant genera in lowland tropical rainforests. A brief review of tropical florulas also demonstrates that Ficus is the only ubiquitously diverse genus in lowland rainforests. Monoecious hemi-epiphytic figs, constituting independent radiations in each tropical blame, make up a significant proportion of species everywhere, but in Asia dioecious figs have diversified into a variety of niches, making the assemblages of this region especially speciose. Pioneer attributes have endowed figs with tremendous evolutionary flexibility, while long-range seed dispersal ensures that a high proportion of the regional species pool is represented in local assemblages. Large numbers of Ficus species are able to coexist because many are extremely rare as a result of limited recruitment opportunities, which limits competition. They are nevertheless able to breed at low densities because they possess an efficient, long-range pollination system. These factors are likely to be important in the diversity of other plant groups in the tropics.
- Subjects
FICUS (Plants); RAIN forests; PLANT diversity; BIODIVERSITY; PLANT species
- Publication
BioScience, 2005, Vol 55, Issue 12, p1053
- ISSN
0006-3568
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[1053:FATDOT]2.0.CO;2