Is diversity of fig glands associated with nursery mutualism in fig trees?
The volatiles produced by glands on the ostiolar bracts are candidate sources for the long-distance attraction of pollinator fig wasps. Scent glands on the outer layers of the receptacle may also play a role in chemical perception of the figs or may be related to their protection. The high cost to the plants if the figs are eaten and the temperature conditions required for nursery pollination are likely the factors that led to the selection of phenolic glands and laticifers during the group's evolution.
These results suggest that SNX can induce less endothelium-dependent and more endothelium-independent vascular relaxation. The NO/cGMP and HO/CO pathways, blockade of Ca(2+) channels are inhibition of IP3R mediated Ca(2+) mobilization from intracellular stores, are likely involved in this relaxation. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of combined compositions in SNX await further investigations.