• 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.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.685-690
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• 2011

To search for myrmecochorous plant species in Korea and their diaspore characteristics, the flowering and fruiting of herb species, collectiong their fruits and diaspores, and the related ant species were studied from April to September 2011. Twenty-four herb species growing in Korea prove myrmecochorous (seed attached elaiosome) plants. Elaiosomes of 24 herb species vary considerably in shape and size. Major ant species transporting the diaspore of myrmecochorous plants are Formica japonica, Lasius alienus, Tetramorium tsushimae, Temnothorax koreanus, Lasius japonicus, but Camponotus japonicus and Paratrechina sakurae do not transport the diaspores. This study found out that mutualism between myrmecochorous plants and ants is carried out in Korea. Further study on the myrmecochorous plant and related ant species, cafeteria experiments should be needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.495-499
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• 2014

To search for myrmecochorous plant species, related ant species and diaspore selecting behaviour, collecting fruits and diaspores of four Corydalis species, cafeteria experiments, and the related ant species were studied from May 2013 to July 2014. Four Corydalis species recording in Korea were proved myrmecochorous (seed attached elaiosome) plants newly. Elaiosome shape of these species is spatulate-shaped, but their size is varied considerably in length and width. Significant differences is proved between four plant species in weight of diaspores, seeds and elaiosomes, and elaiosome ratios. Mean values of diaspores weight showed 4.08 mg, 2.56 mg, 2.49 mg and 2.06 mg in Corydalis grandicalyx, C. remota, C. turtschaninovii for. pectinata and C. turtschaninovii var. linearis, respectively. Mean values of seed weights showed 3.68 mg, 2.03 mg, 1.90 mg and 1.67 mg in Corydalis grandicalyx, C. remota, C. turtschaninovii for. pectinata and C. turtschaninovii var. linearis, respectively. Elaiosome ratio of C. turtschaninovii var. linearis was the highest, followed by C. remota, C. turtschaninovii for. pectinata and C. grandicalyx. Ant's preference for the diaspores is ordered as same as elaiosome ratio's order. Major ant species transporting the diaspores of Corydalis species are Formica japonica, Lasius alienus, Lasius japonicus and Tetramorium tsushimae. Formica japonica transports the diaspores most frequently. Ant's preference for the diaspores among plant species or individuals might be influenced on the survival rates of concerned species. Further studies on the myrmecochorous plant and related ant species, cafeteria experiments should be needed.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 2006

For the spring ephemeral and myrmecochorous perennia, Corydalis filistipes Nakai (Fumariaceae), rare and narrow endemic to Ullung Island in Korea, genetic diversity and structure of 4 subpopulations of the species were investigated with allozyme markers. Levels of genetic diversity (A=1.73, $P_{95%}$=61..2%, Ho=0.201, He=0.167) were relatively lower than those of other endemic species with widespread distribution range, but considerably higher than other endemic species with similar life history traits isolated in island. The moderate level of genetic diversity within subpopulations in C. filistipes is characteristic of the species with predominantly outcrossing, myrmecochorous seed dispersal by dual function of the elaisome and mode of sexual and asexual reproduction by the cleistogamy. The analysis of fixation indices showed an overall excess of heterozygotes (mean $F_{IS}=-0.1889,\;F_{IT}=-0.1226$) relative to H-W expectations. About 5.6% of the total genetic variation was found among subpopulations ($F_{ST}$=0.0557). The strategies of reasonable conservation and management, and the maintenance mechanism of genetic diversity of Corydalis filistipes Nakai, endemic plant species in Korea were discussed.