Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회지)

Korean Society of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회)
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Diaspore, seed dispersion and seed germination characteristics of two myrmecochrous spring ephemerals -Jeffersonia dubia and Corydalis remota-

개미가 종자를 산포하는 춘계단명식물 깽깽이풀과 현호색의 전파체, 종자산포 및 발아 특성

  • Kim, Hoi-Jin (Graduate school, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Gab-Tae (Department of Forest Sciences, Sangji University)
  • Received : 2017.07.20
  • Accepted : 2017.11.01
  • Published : 2017.12.29
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Abstract

This study examined the germination characteristics by collecting fruits and pretreatment of the diaspore from April 2014 to June 2015 to investigate the diaspore characteristics, seed dispersion, and seed germination characteristics of two myrmecochorous spring ephemerals (MCSE): -Jeffersonia dubia (Jb) and Corydalis remota (Cr)-. The diaspore of Jb was about 5mm-long yellow-dark brown, oblong seeds with the attached amorphous white elaiosome. The mean weights of diaspore, seed, and elaiosome were 15.86mg, 13.46mg, and 2.40mg, respectively, and the elaiosome ratio was 15.13%. The diaspore of Cr was about 1.2mm diameter and glossy black ovoid seeds with the attached white spatula-shaped elaiosome. The mean weights of diaspore, seed, and elaisome were 2.58mg, 2.05mg, and 0.53mg, respectively, and the elaiosome ratio was 20.54%. Camponotus niponensis and Formica japonica transported the diaspore of Jb while Formica japonica and Lasius japonicus transported the diaspore of Cr. The germination percentage of Jb seeds was statistically significant and had the significance level of 1% with the pretreatment and date of sowing. However, it was independent of attachment of elaiosome. The mean germination percentages of Jb seeds was 65.0% during sowing on June 20, 17.5% during sowing on August 19, and 0% during sowing on October 20. The germination percentage of Cr was statistically significant and had the significance level of 5% and 1% with the attachment of elaisome and date of sowing, respectively. The mean germination rates were 54.17% and 35.0% in the non-treatment section and the treatment section with elaisome detached, respectively. The mean germination percentages of Cr seeds was 75.0% during sowing on June 20, 53.75% during sowing on August 19, and 5.0% during sowing on October 20. Considering the fact that the ants transported the diaspores to the ant house when the fruits of MCSE were ripened and dropped the seeds, the direct seeding right after collecting may be most suitable to the characteristics of the evolution of these plant species and may be the best method to obtain the highest germination percentages. Since the ants distribute their seeds, the MCSE produces and attaches the elaiosome to the seed to maintain the symbiotic relationship with ants. The ants then transport the seed to the ant house where the environment is controlled for suitable temperature and humidity, and then the MCSE succeeds in germination after the embryo grows sufficiently in the next spring.

개미가 종자를 분산시키는 춘계단명식물 깽깽이풀과 현호색의 전파체 특성, 종자분산 및 발아특성을 밝히고자, 2014년 4월부터 2015년 6월까지 열매 수집, 전파체의 전처리에 따른 포장발아율을 조사하였다. 깽깽이풀의 전파체는 5mm 정도의 황갈~암갈색의 장타원형 종자에 부정형의 백색 지방체가 붙어 있고, 전파체는 15.86mg, 종자는 13.46mg, 지방체는 2.40mg 등의 평균값을 보였으며 지방체의 중량비는 15.13% 였다. 현호색 전파체는 지름이 1.2mm 정도의 광택이 나는 검은색 난형의 종자에 주걱형의 백색 지방체가 붙어 있고, 전파체는 2.58mg, 종자는 2.05mg, 지방체는 0.53mg 등의 평균값을 보였으며, 지방체의 중량비는 20.54% 였다. 털왕개미와 곰개미가 깽깽이풀 전파체를 물어가고, 곰개미와 고동털개미가 현호색 전파체를 물어갔다. 깽깽이풀의 발아율은 지방체 제거 유무에 무관하며, 전처리와 파종 시기 간에는 1% 유의수준에서 통계적 유의성이 인정되었다. 6월 20일에 파종에서, 깽깽이풀은 평균 발아율은 65%, 8월 19일 파종에서는 17.50%, 10월 20일 파종에서는 전혀 발아하지 않았다. 현호색의 발아율은 지방체 제거 유무간에 5%, 파종시기 간에는 1% 유의수준에서 통계적 유의성이 인정되었다. 무처리구에서 평균 54.17%가 발아하였고, 지방체를 제거한 처리구에서 평균 35.0%가 발아하였다. 6월 20일에 파종에서 발아율은 75%, 8월 19일 파종에서 53.75%, 10월 20일 파종에서 5.0%가 발아하였다. 개미가 종자를 분산시키는 춘계단명 식물종의 발아는 성숙하여 종자가 낙하하는 시기에 개미들이 개미집으로 부지런히 물어가는 것을 고려할 때 채종 후 곧바로 파종하는 것이 이들 식물종들이 진화해온 특성에 적합한 방법이며, 가장 높은 발아율을 확보할 수 있는 방법이라 판단된다. 개미가 종자를 분산시키는 춘계단명 식물종들은 개미와의 상리공생을 위하여 지방체를 생산하여 종자에 부착하고, 개미에 의하여 적온 적습한 환경조건, 개미집,으로 이동되어 배가 충분히 자라서 이듬해 봄에 발아에 성공하는 것이라 판단된다.

Keywords

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