Abstract

• Ficus is a well known as a genus with a specific plant-insect relationship. All fig species have their own species-specific pollinators fig wasps (Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera). Seed dispersal are mediated by generally various kinds of vertebrates. While such ecological characteristics is considered to be associated with a range of gene flow, studies of the genetic structure of Ficus plants in tropical Asia have not been well understood in detail. In this study, it is focused on two species of monoecious figs, Ficus religiosa and its closely related species Ficus rumphii, which are widely distributed in Southeast Asian countries including Myanmar. These two species are generally found in the same environmental condition and also morphologically look like similar and sometimes difficult to distinguish from the morphological outstanding. To determine the genetic differentiation and the level of interspecific hybridization, using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) molecular marker is applied. As a result, the genetic differentiation between species and individuals of mixed genotype has been shown. It is considerable that amount of hybrid individuals were present and hybridization were occurred in both directions. Interspecific hybridization of the genus Ficus has been thought to be very rare. The results indicated that effects of interspecific hybridization in Ficus to its evolution could not be ignored. In addition, it is expected that the study was the first basic information about the genetic diversity of Ficus and the results affect the decision of the plant protection in Myanmar.