Evaluation of adaptation to myrmecochory in etaerio-bearing plants Duchesnea chrysantha and D. indica (Rosaceae)
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Accession number;03A0574996
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| Title;Evaluation of adaptation to myrmecochory in etaerio-bearing plants Duchesnea chrysantha and D. indica (Rosaceae) |
| Author;
ISHIKAWA S
(Toyama Univ., Toyama, Jpn)
NARUHASHI N
(Toyama Univ., Toyama, Jpn)
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Journal Title;Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy
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Journal Code:Y0534A
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ISSN:0388-6212
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VOL.51;NO.1;PAGE.39-48(2003)
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| Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.4, TBL.2, REF.34 |
| Pub. Country;Japan |
| Language;English |
| Abstract;Duchesnea (Rosaceae) has fruits (etaerios) like strawberry (Fragaria) and is so far thought to be a bird-disseminated plant. However, its achenes possess appendages that are morphologically like elaiosomes, suggesting that ants would disseminate those achenes and seeds. In 1998 and 1999, we tested whether achenes (seeds) of two closely-related species D. chrysantha and D. indica, growing in Kurehayama Park and the surroundings, Toyama City, central Japan, would be removed and dispersed or not removed by ants. Four ant species (Lasius niger,Paratrechina flavipes,Pristomyrmex pungens and Tetramorium caespitum) were observed to carry the achenes to their nests. Ants frequently removed achenes of D. chrysantha but did not remove those of D. indica. Viable seeds of D. chrysantha were found at a depth from 0 to 40cm in the soils, while those of D. indica were found only at the top layer (0 to 10cm). These results suggest that the achenes of D. chrysantha may be effectively dispersed by ants rather than those of D. indica. We consider that D. chrysantha is amphichorous, i.e., etaerios are eaten and achenes are disseminated by birds and in the case of fruits that have not been eaten by birds, achenes drop off from the receptacle and are removed and dispersed by ants. (author abst.) |
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