Résumé
Some major questions involving the species-specißc mutualism between figs and their pollinators may be answered in India because of: (i) its diversity of figs and associated insects; (ii) its near-unique biogeographic position regarding fig flora; and (iii) its monsoondominated rainfall and its relief patterns, which together result in strong seasonality and abrupt climatic gradients. We discuss the systematics, biogeography and coevolution of figs and wasps; ecology and evolution of fig/pollinator associates; critical population size and the effect of seasonality on the mutualism; and evolution and maintenance of the dioecious fig/pollinator system. In every case, we present questions that may be answered by appropriate studies in India.