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 Middle Part of the Korean Peninsula

개미가 종자를 산포하는 식물종과 그들의 Diaspore 특성에 대한 연구

  • Kim, Gab-Tae (Dept. of Forest Sciences, College of Life Sci. and Resour., Sangji Univ.)
  • 김갑태 (상지대학교 산림과학과)
  • Received : 2011.09.15
  • Accepted : 2011.10.16
  • Published : 2011.10.31
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Abstract

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.

우리나라에서 개미가 종자를 산포하는 식물종과 그 종자의 특성을 밝히고자, 2011년 4월부터 9월까지 개화와 결실, 열매 수집, diaspore 특성, 관련된 개미종을 조사하였다. 개미가 종자를 산포하는(엘라이오솜을 종자에 부착한) 24종의 식물을 확인하였다. 종자에 부착된 엘라이오솜의 형태는 종마다 형태나 크기가 매우 다양하였다. Diaspore를 물어가는 개미종은 곰개미, 누운털개미, 주름개미, 긴호리가슴개미, 고동털개미 등 5종이었으며, 일본왕개미나 몸집이 작은 사쿠라개미 등은 diaspore를 물어가지 않았다. 이러한 결과는 우리나라에도 개미와 식물 간의 엘라이오솜을 매개로 하는 상리공생을 확인하였으며, 앞으로 개미와 식물의 상리공생을 제대로 파악하기 위해서는 개미가 종자를 퍼뜨리는 식물종과 개미에 대한 조사와 급여시험 등의 많은 연구가 필요할 것이라 사료된다.

Keywords

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