• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.485-491
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• 2017

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.