Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회지)

Korean Society of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회)
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A Study on the Myrmecochorous Plant Species and Their Diaspore Characteristics in Korea(I)

개미가 종자를 산포하는 식물종과 전파체 특성에 관한 연구(I)

  • Kim, Gab-Tae (Dept. of Forest Sciences, College of Life Sci. & Resour., Sangji Univ.)
  • 김갑태 (상지대학교 산림과학과)
  • Received : 2014.06.23
  • Accepted : 2014.08.18
  • Published : 2014.08.31
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Abstract

To search for native myrmecochorous plant species in Korea and their diaspore characteristics, collecting their fruits and diaspores, and the related ant species were studied from April 2012 to October 2013. Eight herb species growing in Korea are added to the myrmecochorous (seed attached elaiosome) plant list. Elaiosomes of eight herb species vary considerably in shape and size. Major ant species transporting the diaspore of myrmecochorous plants are Formica japonica, Lasius alienus, L. japonicus, Myrmica lobicornis, Temnothorax spinosior, Tetramorium tsushimae, but Camponotus japonicus and Nylanderia sakurae do not transport the diaspores. This study found out that mutualism between myrmecochorous summer-flowering plants and ants is carried out in Korea. Further research on the native myrmecochorous plants should be needed.

우리나라에서 개미가 종자를 분산시키는 식물종과 그 종자의 특성을 밝히고자, 2012년 4월부터 2013년 10월까지 열매 수집, 전파체 특성, 관련된 개미종을 조사하였다. 개미가 종자를 퍼뜨리는 엘라이오솜을 종자에 부착한 8종의 식물을 추가로 확인하였다. 종자에 부착된 엘라이오솜의 형태는 종마다 형태나 크기가 매우 다양하였다. 전파체를 물어가는 개미종은 곰개미, 곰뿔개미, 누운털개미, 주름개미, 긴호리가슴개미, 고동털개미 등 6종이었으며, 일본왕개미나 몸집이 작은 사쿠라개미 등은 전파체를 물어가지 않았다. 이러한 결과는 여름철에 개화하는 식물종도 개미와 엘라이오솜을 매개로 하는 상리공생함을 확인하였다. 앞으로 개미가 종자를 퍼뜨리는 자생 식물종을 파악하기 위한 많은 연구가 필요하다.

Keywords

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