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Plantain Squirrel eating figs

on 26th April 2017

Michael Khor’s image shows a Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus) eating figs of the Common Red Stem-fig (Ficus variegata).

Squirrel-Ficus variegata [MichaelKhor]

This is a very tall tree with figs growing in bunches all along the branches and huge trunk. Figs are green turning rose-red when ripe. When ripe the tree makes an awesome sight.

The figs are hollow. Found inside are numerous small flowers – male, female and gall flowers. The gall flowers are sterile female flowers. Pollination is by tiny fig wasps that enter the fig via the tiny opening at the base. Once inside, the wasp transfers the pollen to the many female flowers and then lay her eggs inside a gall flower. The wasp then dies. The eggs laid inside the gall flower eventually develop into adult wasps. These wasps then exit the fig through the opening at the base of the fig where the male flowers are. The wasps will be covered with pollen when they emerge from the fig to seek out another plant with figs to repeat the process – LINK. Without the wasps the plant will not be able to form seeds. Without the tree the wasps will not be able to reproduces itself.

Fig trees attracts numerous birds when figging.

Michael Khor
Singapore
7th April 2017

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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