The mulberry family Moraceae include 37 genera and approximately 1100 species displaying spectacular variation in inflorescence architecture, breeding systems, and pollination syndromes, with the majority of diversity occurring in Ficus. Inflorescences vary from solitary flowers and simple spikes to capitula and the urceolate syconium of Ficus. Breeding systems range from monoecy to dioecy in the family, with pollination syndromes including wind and highly specialized wasps in Ficus. Fig pollination is considered a model system for the study of coevolved mutualism due to the co-dependent life cycle of figs and fig wasps. However, the evolution of the fig inflorescence has remained enigmatic because of its highly derived structure. Several evolutionary pathways to the syconium have been suggested. We are currently examining relationships among Moraceae to evaluate phylogenetic hypotheses on the origin of morphology associated with fig pollination. Sequences from the chloroplast gene, ndhF, provide a wealth of information on Moraceae relationships. Preliminary results suggest that the syconium may have evolved from an urn-shaped inflorescence similar to that of several insect-pollinated Artocarpeae and Castilleae. These data enhance our knowledge of subfamilial relationships in Moraceae, and sequences of change in reproductive traits associated with the origin of coevolved mutualism in Ficus.

Key words: coevolution, Ficus, inflorescence evolution, Moraceae, ndhF