Convergent evolution of agaonine and sycoecine (Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea) head shape in response to the constraints of host fig morphology

. Similar morphological adaptations have arisen independently across separate lineages within the fig wasps (Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) in response to the extreme selective pressure provided by the morphological constraints of their host fig trees ( Ficus , Moraceae). Evidence is forwarded that supports the convergence of female head shape between two distinct fig wasp lineages, the Agaoninae (pollinators) and Sycoecinae (non‐pollinators), utilizing the same host Ficus species (section Gagolychia ). In contrast to the vast majority of the non‐pollinating fig wasps, that oviposit from the outside of the fig, the Agaoninae and Sycoecinae must negotiate the fig ostiole for internal oviposition, with the result that these independent lineages are simultaneously exposed to the selective pressure imposed by ostiolar morphology. Selection will favour a head shape that facilitates successful penetration of the fig cavity and this has resulted in the evolution of similar head shapes in the two lineages. Female head shape in both subfamilies was found to correlate with fig size, with elongate heads associated with large fig size. Given that ostiole bract arrangement is uniform within section Galoglychia , it appears that ostiole length may be the main factor contributing to head shape determination. The high degree of co‐adaptation of head shape suggests that both the Sycoecinae and Agaoninae have coevolved with their host Ficus species.