• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.217-225
• /
• 2021

The family Platycephalidae is a taxonomic group of economically important demersal flathead fishes that predominantly occupy tropical or temperate estuaries and coastal environments of the Indo-Pacific oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we for the first time analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the flathead Platycephalus cultellatus Richardson, 1846 from Vietnam by Next Generation Sequencing method. Its mitogenome was 16,641 bp in total length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The gene composition and order of the mitogenome were identical to those of typical vertebrates. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on the concatenated nucleotide sequence matrix of 13 PCGs and the partial sequence of a DNA barcoding marker, cox1 in order to determine its molecular phylogenetic position among the order Scorpaeniformes. The phylogenetic result revealed that P. cultellatus formed a monophyletic group with species belonging to the same family and consistently clustered with one nominal species, P. indicus, and two Platycephalus sp. specimens. Besides, the cox1 tree confirmed the taxonomic validity of our specimen by forming a monophyletic clade with its conspecific specimens. The mitogenome of P. cultellatus analyzed in this study will contribute valuable information for further study on taxonomy and phylogeny of flatheads.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.294-304
• /
• 2022

This study carried out from March 2021 to October 2021 in the upper part (St. 1) and middle part (St. 2) section of Yongsu stream, a branch of the Geum river, using PIT telemetry to understand the movement patterns and habitat characteristics of Odontobutis interrupta, a Korean endemic species. O. interrupta collection was used kick net (5×5 mm) and fish trap (5×5 mm). After collecting fish, PIT tag insertion was performed immediately in the site. Reader (HPR Plus Reader, biomark, USA) and portable Antenna (BP Plus Portable Antenna, biomark, USA) were used for detection of fish to monitoring the tagged O. interrupta. As a result of PIT telemetry applied to 70 individuals, mean movement distance was 36.5 (SE, ±6.6) m. There was a significant difference between total length and movement distance (P≤0.05). O. interrupta was mainly identified in average water depth, 36.2±1.9 cm, average water velocity, 0.03±0.07 m s^-1 and average distance from watershed, 4.4±0.3 m. Extent of rock used for habitat was varied from 32 to 4,000 cm². There was no statistical difference between the area of the first selected rock and the area of the after selected rock (P>0.05). but there was significant difference between total length and the area of the rock except for detection before 24 hours (P<0.01). Therefore, to restore the habitat, it is considered necessary to create various substrate structures by providing various habitat environments (water depth, flow rate, stone, etc.) for each individual size.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.56 no.9
• /
• pp.553-562
• /
• 2023

The Gobiobotia naktongensis is a species endemic to Korea, and it has recently been designated as a class I endangered species of freshwater fish. Naeseong Stream, one of the tributaries of the Nakdong River, where the Gobiobotia naktongensis was first discovered, provided an optimal habitat for the Gobiobotia naktongensis in the past with fine sand beds and riffle. Currently, due to the construction of Yeongju Dam and the excessive dredging of river channels by the local government, the riverbed armoring in the downstream area of the dam is undergoing rapid changes, and as a result, the habitat environment of the Gobiobotia naktongensis is deteriorating. In this study, the variations of the habitat suitability of the Gobiobotia naktongensis due to the change in the riverbed grain size of the Naeseong Stream were analyzed based on the WUA (weight usable area) using the physical habitat model, River2D. The study domain is the reach from Seoktap Bridge to Hoeryong Bridge downstream of Yeongju Dam. The change in riverbed grain size was analyzed using D50 acquired in 2010 and 2020, respectively. The substrate grain size of Naeseong Stream in 2020 was thicker than that in 2010, and the riverbed coarsening phenomenon was evident overall. As a result of the River2D analysis, the area in which the Gobiobotia naktongensis could inhabit was only about 0.75% in 2010 compared to the entire area of the flow, and even this decreased to 0.55% in 2020 due to riverbed armoring.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.469-489
• /
• 2023

Six field surveys were conducted at 29 locations from April 2020 to April 2022 to identify the freshwater flora of the Taean Peninsula. Based on the collected specimens, the vascular plants of the Taean Peninsula were summarized as 391 taxa: 94 families, 248 genera, 362 species, 5 subspecies, and 24 varieties. Freshwater plants in the Taean Peninsula consisted of 104 taxa, 45 taxa for aquatic plants, and 59 taxa for wetland plants. When classified by life history, annuals accounted for 33 taxa, winter annuals 5 taxa, biennial 6 taxa, and perennials accounted for most of the 60 taxa. Among the 391 identified taxa, 2 taxa of Endangered plants, 3 taxa of Korean endemic plants, 5 taxa of IUCN red list plants, 49 taxa of Korean floristic target plants, 38 taxa of biological resources subject to the approval of outbound transfer, 55 taxa alien plants and 7 taxa of ecosystem disturbing plant. The results of this study are intended to be used as basic data on the freshwater environment and distribution of aquatic plants in the Taean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.365-380
• /
• 2009

Flora of vascular plants in mountains located at Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun areas such as Chiak-san(1,288m), Taegi-san(1,261.4m), Obong-san(1,126.2m), Eungbong-san(1,094.9m), Eodab-san(789.4m), Deokgo-san(521.2m), Deokga-san(700.5m) and Seongji-bong(791m) was investigated from April, 2008 to May, 2009, and results from the previous researches in which voucher specimens had been presented from Balgyo-san(998.4m), Oeum-san(930.4m), Baekun-san(1,037.1m) and Chiak-san(1,288m) were included in the list of vascular plants from these areas. This investigations resulted in 804 taxa consisted of 680 species, 1 subspecies, 111 varieties, and 12 forms of 383 genera under 97 families, and totally in 973 taxa (21.14% of all vascular plants in Korea) of 818 species, 1 subspecies, 138 varieties and 16 forms of 418 genera under 105 families on addition of voucher specimens in the previous researches. Forests of the investigated areas were generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and deciduous trees. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were valley from Guryong-sa (temple) to Biro-bong (summit) via Seryeom-pokpo (fall) in Mt. Chiak-san, and Keunseong-gol (valley) and eastern slope from Taegibungyo-teo to Naksu-dae (fall) in Mt. Taegi-san. 10 families with abundantly collected species were Compositae, Graminae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae, Liliaceae, Saxifragaceae, Umbelliferae and Labiatae in order, and they occuied 49.12% of all collected taxa. Endemic plants found in these areas were 38 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Megaleranthis saniculifolia, and Pyrus ussuriensis var. diamantica, and rare and endangered ones were 24 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Viola websteri, Viola diamantica, and Patrina saniculaefolia. Specially designated plants by the Ministry of Environment were 88 taxa including 12 taxa of 5th degree such as Woodsia intermedia, Hanabusaya asiatica, Equisetum pratense, Iris koreana, Lilium cernum, Trillium tschonoskii, Magnolia kobus(cultivated), Gastrodia elata, Polypodium virginianum, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Megaleranthis saniculifolia and Viola websteri. 47 taxa of alien plants were found. As to 609 taxa (13.23% of all vascular plants in Korea) of useful plants, 334 taxa for the edible, 269 taxa for the medicinal, 127 taxa for the ornamental, 332 taxa for the forage, 3 taxa for the industrial raw material, 31 taxa for the timber and 13 taxa for the fiber were classified, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.85-116
• /
• 2005

Gyeryongsan(845m) is located at $36^{\circ}\;18'\;02'\;-36^{\circ}\;23'\;38'$ in latitude, at $127^{\circ}\;11'\;60'-127^{\circ}\;17'\;86'$ in longitude and on Nonsan City and Gongju City in Chungnam Province. Gyeryongsan shows the typical vegetation patterns including the middle area of temperate region represented by the secondary forests of Quercus mongotica and Q. serrata. And we tried to discuss on the distribution and availability of vascular plants including economical plants. The results of plant collection and their investigation from April in 1998 to October in 2002 are as follows : The vascular plants consist of total 684 taxa; 3 hybrids, 12 forms, 84 varieties, 1 subspecies, 584 species, 357 genera, 100 families, 34 orders, 4 classes, 3 subphyla. In this area useful resources plants were 277 taxa$(40.5\%)$ forage source, 261 taxa$(38.2\%)$ edible source, 204 taxa$(29.8\%)$ medicinal source, 80 taxa$(11.7\%)$ ornamental source, 20 taxa$(2.9\%)$ timber source, 3 taxa$(0.4\%)$ industrial raw material source respectively. Also, the Korean endemic plants are 29 taxa($4.2\%$ among total 684 taxa); 5 varieties, 24 species, 27 genera, 20 families. And rare and endangered plants are 2 taxa; Paeonia obovate, Gastrodia elata. Also, the naturalized plants are 31 taxa($4.5\%$ among total 684 taxa and $13.7\%$ among the total naturalized plants in Korea).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.108-118
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide baseline ecological data for the conservation of the Manchurian trout habitat through the investigation of the growth status of Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, and Pearson's correlation analysis (PCA) between the B. lenok tsinlingensis population and the use of the land around Gyebangcheon stream. Sampling was conducted twice in July, September, and October 2018. During the July and September surveys, 882 individuals belonging to 13 species from six families were collected. The dominant species was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus. The total number of B. lenok tsinlingensis collected was 99. The results of the length-weight relationship in the B. lenok tsinlingensis population were analyzed with a regression coefficient b value of 3.1272 and a condition factor (k) value of 0.0006. Therefore, the growth condition of B. lenok tsinlingensis was regarded as fairly good. The QHEI(Qualitative habitat evaluation index) value in the B. lenok tsinlingensis habitat was 119.5(±0.5)-153.5(±0.5), indicating optimal-suboptimal conditions. As a result of the HIS (Habitat suitability index) analysis, it was confirmed that the optimal habitat for B. lenok tsinlingensis was 0.45-0.55m and >1 m in water depth, 0.55-0.65 m s^-1 in water velocity, and boulder in the substrate. The ratio of the land use in this study site was analyzed as 66.26-96.31% for forest and grassland areas, 0.00-23.79% for agricultural areas, 0.00-4.19% for urbanized areas, and 3.69-8.87% for others. Correlation analysis of the number of B. lenok tsinlingensis and various factors revealed statistically significant correlations between QHEI and forest and grassland areas, agricultural areas, and urbanized areas.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.24-36
• /
• 2021

Countries around the world, including the Republic of Korea, are participating in efforts to preserve biodiversity. Concerning species, in particular, studies that aim to find potential habitats and establish conservation plans by conducting habitat suitability analysis for specific species are actively ongoing. However, few studies on mid- to long-term changes in suitable habitat areas are based on accumulated information. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the time-series changes in the habitat suitable area and examine the otters' changing pattern (Lutra lutra) designated as Level 1 endangered wildlife in Gangwon-do. The time-series change analysis used the data on otter species' presence points from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th national natural environment surveys conducted for about 20 years. Moreover, it utilized the land cover map consistent with the survey period to create environmental variables to reflect each survey period's habitat environment. The suitable habitat area analysis used the MaxEnt model that can run based only on the species presence information, and it has been proven to be reliable by previous studies. The study derived the habitat suitability map for otters in each survey period, and it showed a tendency that habitats were distributed around rivers. Comparing the response curves of the environmental variables derived from the modeling identified the characteristics of the habitat favored by otters. The examination of habitats' change by survey period showed that the habitats based on the 2nd National Natural Environment Survey had the widest distribution. The habitats of the 3rd and 4th surveys showed a tendency of decrease in area. Moreover, the study aggregated the analysis results of the three survey periods and analyzed and categorized the habitat's changing pattern. The type of change proposed different conservation plans, such as field surveys, monitoring, protected area establishment, and restoration plan. This study is significant because it produced a comprehensive analysis map that showed the time-series changes of the location and area of the otter habitat and proposed a conservation plan that is necessary according to the type of habitat change by region. We believe that the method proposed in this study and its results can be used as reference data for establishing a habitat conservation and management plan in the future.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the early life history by observing the egg development of Ladislavia taczanowskii in endangered fish and to use it as basic data for species conservation research. The broodstork used in the study was secured from the area of the Hongcheon River in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon State. The broodstork, who was being raised in the laboratory, selected mature individuals in May 2021 and induced them to spawn by hormone injection. The size of the maturation egg was 1.50~1.79 (average 1.59±0.08, n=30) mm due to the circular invasive egg. The incubation time took 168 hours at 16.5℃ and 109 hours and 30 minutes at 25.5℃. Newly hatched larvae, the consonants had a total length of 5.55~6.31 mm (6.30±6.93, n=30) mm, and the mouth and anus did not open and had egg yolk. 5 days after hatching, the preflexion larvae had a total length of 9.91~10.8 (10.1±0.27, n=30) mm, and the mouth and anus opened, and feeding activities began. 8 days after hatching, the flexion larvae had a total length of 10.3~11.4 (10.8±0.38, n=30) mm, and the end of the vertebrae at the tail fin tip began to bend upward. 10 day after hatching, the postflexion larvae had a total length of 11.8~13.1 (12.3±0.43, n=30) mm, and the end of the vertebrae at the tail tip was completely bent at 45°. 18 days after hatching, the total length of the juveniles was 18.9~23.4 (20.4±1.69, n=30) mm, and the number of fins in each part was fin rays with 10 dorsal fins, 9 anal fins, 22 caudal fins, and 7 ventral fins. As a result of the study, the postflexion larvae showed differences in morphology from other Gobioninae fishes in the upper part of the tail's hypural, the shape of spots on the dorsal vertebrae, the vertical stripes developed on the head, and the irregularly deposited melanophore throughout the body.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.76-88
• /
• 2011

The flora of vascular plants in the mountains located in the Uiryeong-gun area, in the South province of the Korean Peninsula, such as Jagul-san(897.1 m), 676 Highland(676 m), Byeokhwa-san(522 m), and the Bangeo-san(530.4 m), was investigated between April 2008 and August 2009. These investigations found 580 taxa consisting of 496 species, 1 subspecies, 77 varieties, and 6 forms, found within 319 genera under 103 families. The count totaled at 744 taxa(16.2% of all vascular plant taxa in Korea), which was made up of 648 species, 3 subspecies, 81 varieties, and 12 forms, found within of 362 genera under 109 families, when voucher specimens from the previous research studies were added. Forests of the investigated areas were generally composed of mixed Pinus densiflora and Quercus sp. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were the valley neighboring Baekun-sa(temple) (in the eastern slope of Mt. Jagul-san), the southwest slope of Mt. 676 Highland, the eastern slope of Mt. Byeokhwa-san, and the northern slope of Mt. Bangeo-san. 10 families were collected in abundance: Compositae, Graminae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Rosaceae, Cyperaceae, Labiatae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Violaceae these families made up 50% of all collected taxa. 19 taxa were endemic to the area, including Salix hallaisanensis H.Lev, S. koriyanagi Kimura, Aconitum austrokoreense Koidz, A. pseudolaeve Nakai, Clematis trichotoma Nakai, Thalictrum uchiyamai Nakai, Stewartia pseudocamellia Maxim, Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., Lespedeza ${\times}$ robusta Nakai, Vicia chosenensis Ohwi, Euonymus trapococca Nakai, and Angelica cartilagino-marginata var. distans(Nakai) Kitag. Eight of the taxa were rare and endangered plants, as designated by the Korea Forest Service, including Jeffersonia dubia(Maxim.) Baker & S. Moore and Viola diamantiaca Nakai. 38 taxa of alien plants were found. Vegetation of the surveyed areas falls in the South province of the Korean Peninsula. Of all the taxa collected, 463 taxa(10.06% of all vascular plants in Korea) are considered useful plants, 231 taxa are edible, 193 taxa have medicinal uses, 65 taxa are used ornamentally, 234 taxa are important forage, 3 taxa are used as an industrial raw material, 17 taxa are used for timber, 18 taxa contain useful dyes, and 7 taxa are used for fiber.