Interaction Patterns of Birds and Insects Associated with Two Keystone Fig Trees ( Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa) in Central India

Keystone fig trees are fundamental components of tropical ecosystems, supporting diverse faunal communities through the provision of food resources, habitat, and ecological niches. Despite their ecological importance, comparative studies examining how different fig species influence the interaction patterns of multiple faunal groups remain limited, particularly in tropical dry landscapes. This study investigated the interaction patterns of birds and insects associated with two keystone fig tree species, Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa, in forested sites of Chitrakoot, Central India, where both species co-occurred. Birds were documented using point-count surveys supported by visual observations and vocalisation records, whereas insects were sampled using complementary active and passive sampling techniques. Ecological interactions were quantified through 30-minute focal observations of individual trees, and only birds and insects directly utilising the observed tree were considered tree-associated. Interactions were categorised into herbivory, frugivory, nectarivory, pollination, and other ecological interactions. Bird visitation frequency and insect interaction frequency were compared between the two fig species to evaluate the influence of tree species identity on faunal associations. Approximately 32 bird species and 43 insect species were recorded during the study. Overall, F. religiosa supported a higher frequency of visits by smaller-bodied birds and insect interactions, including a more diverse assemblage of ants, whereas larger-bodied birds, including hornbills, were more frequently associated with F. benghalensis. In contrast, F. benghalensis exhibited higher insect richness and was characterised by greater levels of frugivory and herbivory, highlighting distinct differences in the structure and composition of faunal interactions between the two fig species. The findings demonstrate that tree species identity shapes the frequency and composition of ecological interactions involving birds and insects, highlighting the complementary ecological roles of F. benghalensis and F. religiosa in sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in tropical dry forests. These results contribute to a broader understanding of tree–fauna interaction ecology and provide evidence supporting the conservation of keystone fig trees as critical components of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.