Interpretation of Adaptational Environment of the genus Trapa in Korea Through peat deposit
pp.69-80
Studies on Trapa of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese origins have been generally limited to currently living Trapa, thereby demonstrating the lack of phylogenetic approaches. In the present study, we conducted a numerical taxonomic study on 34 Korean origin Trapa species newly discovered in peat deposits. By using the numerical taxonomy as well as geological data, we created an appearance map based on the periods and taxonomic groups of the Korean Trapa. Further, by using this appearance map, we reviewed the limitations that exist in the taxa and simultaneously discussed the adaptational environment of Trapa in each period. Although other studies have discussed new variants of Trapa worldwide, including T. litwinowii V. vassil. var. chihuensis S.F.Guan & Q.Lang of China (Guan and Lang, 1987), the present study is significant because it provides data on the origin of Korean Trapa species. The availability of such data is essential in determining the adaptational environment of the presently living Trapa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of approximately 10 newly discovered and other presently living species of Trapa. Further, the appearance map in the present study allows the use of the 10 newly discovered species and variants of 34 Trapa species indigenous to South Korea for over 1000 years, for a comparison with the currently living Trapa species. Thus, the present study results could serve as important basic data to understand the adaptational environment of the genus Trapa. from the past to the present in Korea.