The reproductive biology of two poorly known relatives of the fig(Ficus) and insights into the evolution of the fig syconium

摘要

We conducted the first detailed investigation of the floral architecture and reproductivebiology of two species from the genus Dorstenia, which are poorly known relatives ofFicus (Moraceae). Our aims were to extend and refine knowledge of the understudiedgenus Dorstenia and to explore possible insights into the evolution of the fig syconium.We characterised four key stages of floral development using light microscopy, scanningelectron microscopy and histological staining. Reproductive biology was foundto be complex and species-specific. Both study species are monoecious and produce aninflorescence of minute male and female flowers. Protogyny, associated with a spatialseparation of male and female flowers and asynchronous stamen development, wasspecies-specific, as was seed set. Our results reveal novel insights into the complexreproductive biology of an under-studied genus in the family Moraceae. We proposethat exploring the reproductive biology of Dorstenia and other poorly known Ficusrelatives will provide insights into the evolution of the fig syconium – the uniquereproductive structure of this economically and ecologically important genus.