• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2007

In order to develop an efficient feed for successful growth of Golden frog, Rana plancyi chosenica, larvae, we compared and analyzed the growth of the frog larvae, supplying four different food types. The growth of Golden frog larvae fed a vegetable food of spirogyra and cabbages and a mixture of vegetable and animal foods, TetraMin, a commercial fish food, or eel feed, was faster than that of the larvae fed only organic matters and vegetables collected from natural habitats. Among artificial food types, the mixture of vegetable and animal foods was more efficient for larval growth than the vegetable food. For the successful metamorphosis, the mixture of vegetable food and Tetramin was the most efficient food, comparing other types of food. These results suggest that a mixture of vegetable and animal food mixed in an appropriate proportion would be the most efficient artificial feed for the successful growth and metamorphosis of Golden frog larvae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2000

The regional distribution and relative frequencies of endocrine cells were studied immunohistochemically (PAP methods) in the alimentary tract and pancreas of the toad, Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor using specific antisera against bovine Sp-1/chromogranin (BCG), serotonin, bombesin, gastrin, substance P (SP), somatostatin, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and secretin. Nine kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. Spherical or spindleshaped immunoreactive (IR) cells were located in the gastric glands of stomach regions, in the basal portion of the epithelium of intestinal tract or esophagus, and in the exocrine or pancreatic islets with variable frequencies. In the alimentary tract, BCG-IR cells were found in the fundus and pylorus with rare and a few frequencies, respectively. Serotonin-IR cells were demonstrated in the whole alimentary tract including the esophagus. Bombesin- and SP-IR cells were restricted to the stomach regions and gastrin-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus. Somatostatin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole alimentary tract except for the large intestine, However, insulin-, glucagon-, PP-, VIP- and secretin-IR cells were not detected in the alimentary tract. In the pancreas of toad, the distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells were similar to those of other mammals. Insulin-IR cells were located in the central portion of the pancreatic islets and interspaces of exocrine portions, and glucagon-, somatostatin- and PP-IR cells were detected in the marginal regions of the pancreatic islets and interspaces of exocrine. However, other IR cells were not found in the pancreas. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of the endocrine cells in the alimentary tract and pancreas of the toad were similar to other anuran species but some differences which might be caused by feeding habits and species specification were also observed.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 1996

To learn how maximal locomotory speed of animals is defined in terms of hindlimb structure and muscle contractile function, take-off speed, hindlimb length, thigh muscle mass, shortening velocity and power of the sastrocnemius muscle were measured with one fast species, Rono nigromaculota and one relatively slowresponding species, Bombina orientalis. Take-off speed (m.sec-1) was greater in R. nigromoculata $(2.4\pm0.2SD, $ n: 14) than in the Bombino $(1.6\pm0.1SD, $ n=8). Stvle of the take-off response was a long-iump type in the Rano and a short-ranged hopping in the Bombing. Faster take-off capacity of the ranid frogs was supported by the longer hindlimb length (relative to body length) and the more massive thigh muscles (relative to body mass), compared to the Bombina. Further, the ranids exhibited faster maximal shortening velocity and Breater maximal power generateion than the Bombina [Vmax $(ML.sec-1)=11.79\pm1.69SD$ for the Runa and $9.74\pm1.27SD$ for the Bombina; Pmax $nW.kg-1)=222.42\pm42.42SD$ for the Rono and $169.03\pm34.52SD$ for the Bombinal. With more massive thigh muscles and greater mechanical power, the ranids would generate greater total power and thus higher energy release per unit time to muscle tissues for the burst take-off. As a consequence, biomechanical properties seen in the ranids seem to be more effective for frost take-off than in the Bombina.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2022

The trade-off between morphology and physical function may vary according to ecological traits. Taking a quantitative approach, we attempted to analyze the differences in the skeletal shape of the lower body and limbs in relation to the ecological traits of four anuran species (Dryophytes japonicus, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, and Lithobates catesbeianus) occurring in South Korea. Body size, locomotor mode, microhabitat, trophic positions, and predator defense mechanisms were selected for the ecological traits of the anurans. The pelvis, ilium, and urostyle, which are associated with locomotor performance, were selected for the skeletal shape of the lower body. The ratio of limbs, which is related to locomotor mode and microhabitat, was confirmed by analyzing the skeletons of the forelimbs (radio-ulnar and humerus) and hindlimbs (femur and tibiofibular). Both landmark-based geometric morphometrics and traditional methods were used for skeletal shape comparison. The skeletal shape of the lower body was completely different among the four species, whereas the ratio of the limbs was only different in D. japonicus. The skeletal shape of the lower body may be related to body mass and predator defense mechanisms, whereas the ratio of the limbs was related to the locomotor mode and microhabitat. Quantifying these morphological differences among various species can help elucidate the mechanisms of behavioral and morphological changes in response to ecological effects.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2023

Amphibian populations are declining globally, pushing many species to the brink of extinction. To promote biodiversity and sustainable management, countries are actively researching amphibian reproductive ecology. Sperm cryopreservation is a crucial assisted reproductive technology that aids in preserving the genetic diversity of amphibians. However, because amphibian sperm cells are sensitive to osmotic stress, the optimal cryopreservation method therefore differs from species to species. This literature review offers an overview of the significance of developing cryopreservation techniques for amphibian conservation and highlights the need to create optimal cryopreservation methods and the introduction of long-term monitoring (e.g., fertilization success and offspring reproduction) to advance cryopreservation technology development. This review can be used as basic research data for amphibian conservation methods.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.230-245
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• 2024

Amphibians, sensitive to external environmental changes, serve as bioindicator species for assessing alterations or disturbances in local ecosystems. It is known that one-third of amphibian species within the order Anura are at risk of extinction due to anthropogenic threats such as habitat destruction and fragmentation caused by urbanization. To develop effective protection and conservation strategies for anuran amphibians, species surveys that account for population characteristics are essential. This study aimed to investigate the potential for citizen participation in ecological monitoring using the mating calls of anura species. We also proposed suitable quality control measures to mitigate errors and biases, ensuring the extraction of reliable species occurrence data. The Citizen Science project was carried out nationwide from April 1 to August 31, 2022, targeting 12 species of anura amphibians in Korea. Citizens voluntarily participated in voice signal monitoring, where they listened to anura species' mating calls and recorded them using a mobile application. Additionally, we established a quality control process to extract reliable species occurrence data, categorizing errors and biases from citizen-collected data into three levels: omission, commission, and incorrect identification. A total of 6,808 observations were collected during the citizen participation in anura species vocalization monitoring. Through the quality control process, errors and biases were identified in 1,944 (28.55%) of the 6,808 data. The most common type of error was omission, accounting for 922 cases (47.43%), followed by incorrect identification with 540 cases (27.78%), and commission with 482 cases (24.79%). During the Citizen Science project, we successfully recorded the mating calls of 10 out of the 12 anuran amphibian species in Korea, excluding the Asian toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor), Korean brown frog (Rana coreana). Difficulties in collecting mating calls were primarily attributed to challenges in observing due to population decline or discrepancies between the breeding season of non-emergent individuals and the timing of the citizen science project. This study represents the first investigation of distribution status and species emergence data collection through mating calls of anura species in Korea based on citizen participation. It can serve as a foundation for designing future bioacoustic monitoring that incorporates citizen science and quality control measures for citizen science data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the individual size and age of Kaloula borealis, a pair in amplexus. In June 2013, the total 23 pairs of Kaloula borealis were captured in the wetland located in Seongsan-eup and Daejeong-eup, Jeju Island. Size and age of each individual have been examined and as a result of analyzing SVL (snout-vent length), weight, length of forelimb and hindlimb of the collected 23 pairs, the females were shown to have the heavier weight and the longer SVL and hindlimb compared to males. No significant difference in the length of forelimb has been found between the female and the male. The average age of the male of the pair in amplexus was shown to be $5.17{\pm}0.26$, whereas the female was shown to be $6.22{\pm}0.28$, which indicates the higher average age in female compared to the male. The age range of Kaloula borealis was distributed from at least 3 years to 10 years at the maximum. A positive correlation was shown between age of the male and SVL; however, no significant difference was found in female. This study result expected to be utilized as an important base data in establishing the preservation and restoration strategy of endangered species, Kaloula borealis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine the effect of salinity on the early embryonic development stage of boreal digging frogs (Kaloula borealis). An experiment was carried out with the eggs of K. borealis mating couples laid along the coastal zone of Jeju Island in June 2013. The salinity was set to 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 ‰, respectively. The survival and growth of the larvae at various stages from the egg phase to the closing of their external gills phase were observed. In another experiment, tadpoles in internal gill stage were placed in solutions with salinity of 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 ‰, respectively, and their survival rate and growth rate were observed, and then the results of the two experiments above were compared. The results showed that in egg and external gill stage, there was no significant difference in survival rate in 3 ‰ solution, though there was low survival rate in 5 ‰ solution. Further, all the eggs were dead in 7 ‰ solution, so it appeared that solutions with salinity of 5 ‰ or higher affect the survival of K. borealis in the early embryonic development. Larvae in the internal gill stage showed no significant difference in survival rate from the control group up to a salinity of 5 ‰, but when placed in a solution of over 7 ‰ salinity, the survival rate decreased. The growth rate also slowed down with the higher salinity. It appeared that in both the external gill stage and the internal gill stage in 5 ‰ solution, the growth rate decreased significantly compared to the control group. From this study it is concluded that higher salinity values have a significant impact on the survival and growth of the K. borealis larvae and this finding can be used to conserve K. borealis species that are decreasing in number due to the side effects of development in coastal areas.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.706-714
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• 2017

An investigation of the effects of Pb for domestic anuran embryos were evaluated with the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay; Xenopus (FETAX). Depending on the species, the difference between the embryo size and the embryonic development time was determined. As a result, mortality and malformation rates were increased, malformation patterns were changed and larval body length were decreased in a dose dependent manner of the Pb. The half maximal lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) of the Bufo gargarizans, Hyla japonica, Rana nigromaculata and Bombina orientalis were 0.58, 0.49, 0.52, $0.54mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The half maximal effective concentration ($EC_{50}$) of the Bufo gargarizans, Hyla japonica, Rana nigromaculata and Bombina orientalis were 0.35, 0.74, 0.30, $0.29mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The teratogenic index (TI) were 1.66 in the Bufo gargarizans, 1.81 in the Hyla japonica, 1.73 in the Rana nigromaculata and 1.86 in the Bombina orientalis, respectively. Therefore, the Pb seems likely to have a teratogenic effect in all four species' embryonic development. The Bombina orientalis was the most sensitive to the Pb. This means that the difference between the different species, even if they have all been exposed to the same concentration of pollutants depending on the species. The result above show that the Pb acts as a teratogenic agent in the development of the four domestic frog species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.582-590
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• 2018

Although there are many studies of the effect of climate change on the breeding phenology and community diversity of amphibians, the studies of variations in reproductive population size of individual species according to climate change are still lacking. We examined the effect of climate change on the reproductive population size of Rana huanrenensis and Hynobius leechii, which bred in mountain valleys, by surveying the reproductive population of the two species between 2005 and 2012 and analyzing the correlation between the variation of the outdoor population and the surrounding climate change factors, obtained from a meteorological observatory located at 5.6 km from the study site. The size of the reproductive population of the two species commonly fluctuated with aan pproximately 3.5-year cycle. That of H. leechii, in particular, decreased significantly over eight years. The air temperature tended to more closely relate with the reproductive population size of R. huanrenensis as was the case of the precipitation with that of H. leechii. The yearly mean highest temperature and spring mean temperature variation consistently decreased over the eight years, and the latter was related with the significantly decreased size of H. leechii reproductive population. These results showed that recent climate change directly could affect the reproductive population size of amphibians, particularly H. leechii, which breeds in mountain valleys.