• Title/Summary/Keyword: HEMIPARASITE

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A Study on the Habitat Environment and Mutualism with Ants of Genus Melampyrum - focusing on M. roseum, M. setaceum var. nakaianum and M. roseum var. ovalifolium in Kangwondo - (며느리밥풀속 서식지 특성 및 개미와의 공생관계에 관한 연구 - 강원도의 꽃며느리밥풀, 새며느리밥풀 및 알며느리밥풀을 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Jae-Hyeon;Lyu, Dong-Pyo;Kim, Gab-Tae
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.139-145
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    • 2016
  • To search for habitat characteristics of myrmecochory Melampyrum species, diaspores and related ant species, habitat characteristics, collecting fruits and diaspores of three Melampyrum species, cafeteria experiments, and the related ant species were studied from May 2012 to November 2014. The habitat of Melampyrum species was south-facing open forest edge with slightly acidic soil and relatively shallow soiil layers. Major plants coexisting with Melampyrum species were four woody species including Quercus mongolica and four herbaceous species including Carex siderosticta. These Plants might be host plants of the Melampyrum species. The shape of the diaspore was an oval seed attached to the white cap on one side. Significant differences is proved between three plant species in weight of diaspores, seeds and and elaiosome ratios. Mean values of diaspores weight showed 10.6mg, 8.0mg and 7.2mg in M. setaceum var. nakaianum, M. roseum var. ovalifolium and M. roseum, respectively. The heaviest elaiosome is M. roseum var. ovalifolium with 1.2mg, M. setaceum var. nakaianum has 1.0mg and the lightest elaiosome is M. roseum with 0.8mg. Major ant species frequently transporting the diaspores of Melampyrum species are Myrmicinae four species; Myrmica kotokui, M. excelsa, Myrmecina nipponica and Aphaenogaster japonica. Further studies on Melampyrum species, hemiparasite annual myrmecochorous plant, and related ant species should be needed.