• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2009

Morphological and genetic variation of Cottus populations in Korea were compared to each other in the watershed. Morphological variation was analyzed by meristic and morphometric characters, and by fertilized egg sizes. Genetic variation was assessed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting. Cottus koreanus populations of rivers and streams running towards the eastern coasts of the Korean Peninsula were significantly different in morphometric characters from populations in rivers and streams running towards the western and southern coasts of the Korean Peninsula, but did not differ in meristric characters and fertilized egg sizes. Cottus populations in the upper streams-Yangyangnamadae Stream, Jusu Stream and Samcheogosip Stream-were the same in meristic and genetic characters. However, the Cottus sp. population from Baebong Stream is related to C. hangiongensis in meristic characteristics and to C. koreanus in the morphometric characteristics of length of the ventral fin ray and in the fertilized egg size. Pairwise genetic distances assessed by the AFLP method among C. koreanus populations were in the range of 0.110 to 0.221. Genetic distances between C. hangiongensis and C. koreanus populations varied from 0.542 to 0.621, and those between the Cottus sp. population of Baebong Stream and C. koreanus populations from 0.222 to 0.304. The result of the UPGMA dendrogram shows the Cottus sp. population of Baebong Stream was clearly separated of other C. koreanus populations.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2006

The chromosome numbers of five species in two families of Korea are investigated: Odontobutis platycephala, O. interrupta, and O. obscura in Odontobutidae, and Cottus koreanus and C. hangiongensis in Cottidae. In Odontobutis species, the three species showed the diploid chromosome number, 2n=44 (NF=44) telocentric chromosomes. In Cottus species, the mitotic chromosomes from 24 groups with two chromosomes each indicated that it is a diploid. The karyotype of C. koreanus and C. hangiongensis is 2n=48 and NF=52. These species is the first report on the chromosomes and the karyotype analysis except O. platycephala. Our findings provide cytotaxonomic evidence for the species distinctness of these five species whose descriptions were based primarily on external morphology.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2009

The fish community was investigated from March to October 2007 in Gwangneung Arboretum. During the survey period, 22 species belonging to 9 families were collected. Among them, one species (Coitus koreanus) was classified as an endangered species in Korea, and exotic fish was Micropterus salmoides. Nine species (40.9%) were endemic species of Korea. Dominant species was R. oxycephalus (St. 1) and Z. platypus (St. 2-7). According to analysis of community based on the diversity, evenness and richness indices, fish community seems to be more stable in the St. 3. The distributions of Silurus microdorsalis, Cottus koreanus and Odontobutis platycephala were confined to the Bongseonsa Stream in the Wangsuk Stream watershed. When our data were compared with the previous data (1932), 17 species were not sampled, but 7 species could new taxa fiend its existence at the Bongseonsa Stream. We believe that Hemibarbus mylodon, Acheilognathus signifer and Zacco koreanus disappeared in the Wangsuk Stream watershed and A. signifer and Z. koreanus need to be restored at the Bongseonsa Stream.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2017

Morphological and population characteristics of the Cottus koreanus were investigated at Hoam stream from October 2015 and April 2016. This is the first record on C. koreanus not only from Hoam stream (the upstream region of Daejong stream, Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongju-si Yangbuk-myeon Hoam-ri) but also from the stream flowing into the Samcheogosip stream, in the southern part of East Sea, Korea. The distribution of C. koreanus ranged from Girim temple to Yongyeon waterfall, about 1.2 km, and the water surface were about $3,600m^2$. The population size was assumed to 1,656 individual number, 46 object per $100m^2$. The morphometric characteristics of C. koreanus in the Hoam stream and the Han river are very similar except that the population at Hoam stream shorter head length, ventral fin ray length, pectoral fin ray length and mouth width when compared with the population at Han river. Other than that, the two populations showed the same meristic characters. Frequency analysis of total length indicated that the group with 40~59 mm in total length was one year old, the 60~79 mm was two years old, and the group over 80 mm was three years old. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was estimated as 361 (239~468) per matured female. The number of matured eggs size in ovaries was $2.6{\pm}0.21$ (23.~3.1) mm and this species was large eggs type. Calculation of the length-weight relation of C. koreanus showed the value of constant a as 0.00001 and b as 3.01, and the Condition factor (K) was 1.26 an on average.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.878-886
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• 2011

The fish fauna and characteristic of population of Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis at the 7 stations in the Bonghwa-gun were investigated from June 2010 to May 2011. The collected species during the survey period were 15 species belong to 7 families. Protected species by the legal were B. lenok tsinlingensis, Koreocobitis naktongensis, and Cottus koreanus. Korean endemic species were Microphy sogobio yaluensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco koreanus, Cobitis hankugensis, K. naktongensis, Iksookimia longicorpa, Niwaella multifasciata, Liobagrus mediadiposalis, C. koreanus, and Coreoperca herzi, which showed a ration of 66.7% in collected species. Dominant species were Z. koreanus(St. 1), B. lenok tsinlingensis(St. 3, 4, 5), and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus(St. 2, 6, 7). Length-weight relation in the population of B. lenok tsinlingensis was BW = $0.000008TL^{3.02}$, and condition factor in the population was average 0.84. Frequency analysis of total length indicated that the group 80~180 mm in total length is represented by one-year-old individuals, the group 200~300 mm by two-year-old individuals, and the group over 300 mm by three-year-old individuals. The density of population was presumed average 17 individuals per 100$m^2$ and total 4,760 individuals in the reservation for B. lenok tsinlingensis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.142-156
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• 2020

This study surveyed Gyeongan Stream, a tributary of the Han River Drainage System, from April to October 2017 to investigate the characteristics of fish communities. The survey collected 40 species of 11 families from 48 survey stations using kick nets and cast nets. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco platypus (48.0%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (17.7%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Pungtungia herzi (6.8%), Z. koreanus (5.0%), Carassius auratus (4.3%), Squalidus gracilis majimae (2.7%), and Rhodeus notatus (2.5%). Among the fish collected, 14 species (35.0%) were Korean endemic species, and the exotic species were Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus, and Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type). The land-locked species were Plecoglossus altivelis, Rhinogobius brunneus, and Cottus koreanus, while the species sensitive to climate change was C. koreanus. The community analysis showed that the dominance was higher at the uppermost stream station, whereas diversity and abundance tended to be lower at the upstream station and higher toward the downstream station. The community structure was largely divided into rivers (uppermost stream, upstream, and middle-lower stream) and lake. The river health was mostly good (23 stations, 47.9%) and fair (15 stations, 31.3%). Comparison with past surveys showed that 12 species identified in the past surveys did not appear in this survey; nine species appeared for the first time in this survey; and the ecosystem disturbance species - M. salmoides and L. macrochirus - tended to spread more widely gradually.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.265-276
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• 2021

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and river health in the Sincheon stream of Imgin River between April and October 2019. The survey collected 3,677 objects in 30 species belonging to 12 families from 23 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco platypus (28.4%) and Oryzias sinensis (13.6%), respectively, followed by Z. koreanus (11.8%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (11.7%), Carassius auratus (9.6%), and Pseudorasbora parva (7.9%) in that order. Among the fish species collected, 10 (33.3%) were endemic species in Korea. The exotic species were 5 (16.7%), including Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus, Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type), Poecilia reticulata, and Xiphophorus maculatus. The land-locked species included Cottus koreanus and Rhinogobius brunneus, while C. koreanus was a climate change-sensitive species. The dominance of the fish community was low, and the diversity was high in the Sincheon mainstream, Sudongcheon and Cheongdamcheon, whereas Dongducheon and Sangpaecheon showed higher dominance and low diversity. The river health was very good and good in the uppermost and Sudongcheon areas, whereas the upper stream was normal, and the middle and lower streams were poor and very poor, respectively. The water quality was also mostly poor or very poor from the midstream to the downstream, and only Sudongcheon was very good. Therefore, the water quality had a great impact on fish habitat and eventually affected river health significantly. Although the water quality of Shincheon has improved each year, the introduction of several foreign species had a very negative effect. Improvement of river health in Shincheon requires water quality improvement and management of exotic fish species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.246-262
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• 2024

The survey conducted from 2018 to 2020 aimed to investigate the changes in fish fauna and community characteristics in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, Korea. During the survey period, 35 sites were selected, resulting in the collection of 7,817 fish belonging to 12 families and 40 species. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus, with a relative abundance of 34.5%, followed by Z. platypus at 28.7%. Other significant species included Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.3%), and Squalidus gracilis majimae (4.3%). Notably, four protected species - Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Cottus koreanus, designated as class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment- were identified. These species predominantly inhabit the middle and lower reaches, except for Gobiobotia brevibarba, which is found in the upper reaches. Nineteen species, accounting for a 47.5% endemism rate, were endemic to Korea. The study also noted the presence of one climate-sensitive species, Cottus koreanus, and two exotic species, Carassius cuvieri and Micropterus salmoides. Community analysis indicated a trend of decreasing dominance and increasing diversity and richness from upstream to downstream, with a distinct division into uppermost reaches, upper reaches, middle and lower reaches, and lakes. The construction of the Hwaseong Dam has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the fish community. The habitat and abundance of endangered species such as R. pseudosericeus, A. signifer, and G. brevibarba decreased dramatically immediately after the dam's construction, transforming the submerged area from lotic to lentic environments. Approximately 20 years later, the habitats have stabilized, leading to an increase in the fish population and a recovery of the previously diminished endangered species. The river health (FAI) was also evaluated, with 27 sites rated as very good (A), seven as good (B), and one as fair (C). However, endangered species such as A. signifer continue to face threats from dam and river construction, while C. Koreanus has experienced a severe population decline due to river works. Additionally, the presence of the ecosystem-disrupting species M. salmoides in Hwaseong Lake raises concerns. To ensure a stable habitat for fish in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, it is crucial to avoid indiscriminate river construction, urgently implement restoration policies for endangered species such as A. signifer, and develop management strategies to control the spread of invasive species such as bass.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.256-265
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• 2019

We investigated the ecological characteristics of Phoxinus phoxinus in the spring water in Eocheon stream from January to December 2016. The water temperature was $9.7{\sim}14.3^{\circ}C$ and remained below $15^{\circ}C$ throughout the year. The fishes cohabiting with minnow were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis (70.14%), Cottus koreanus (13.63%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (3.16%), Oncorhynchus mykiss (0.97%), Zacco koreanus (0.49%), and Iksookimia koreensis (0.24%). The sex ratio of female to male was 1:0.86. The frequency analysis of total length indicated that the fishes with the total length of 30 - 50 mm were one year old, those of 50 - 65 mm were two years old, those of 65 - 75 mm were three years old, and those of 75 mm or more were four years old. The sexually mature fishes were 50 mm or longer for female and 60 mm or longer for male. The spawning season was from April to July, and the water temperature was $12.3-14.3^{\circ}C$ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was from June to July, and the water temperature was $13.8-4.3^{\circ}C$ during the period. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 508 per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of $1.58{\pm}0.13mm$. The length-weight correlation of P. phoxinus was $BW=0.000007TL^{3.09}$ with the constant a as 0.000007 and the parameter b as 3.09. The condition factor (K) was 0.99 (0.76 - 1.32) in average.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.192-204
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• 2013

Fish community structure and inhabit status of endangered fish species were investigated during April to November 2011 in Baebong Stream, Gangwon do, Korea. The number of fish species inhabiting the upper section (Stations 1~3, 5) was 14 and the stream bottoms were mostly composed of cobbles and boulders (Aa-type). Meanwhile, the number of fish species inhabiting the lower section (Stations 4, 6, 7) was 26 and the stream bottoms were mostly composed of pebbles, cobles and sand (Bb-type). A total of 26 species belonging to ten families were found in the stream during the survey period. The dominant and subdominant species were Rhynchocypris steindachneri (31.1%) and Squalidus multimaculatus (13.3%), respectively, and others such as Pungitius kaibarae (11.0%), Zacco koreanus (7.8%), Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (7.0%), Iksookimia pacifica (5.5%) and Z. platypus (5.3%) were followed in the order. Four species of Squalidus multimaculatus, Z. koreanus, I. pacifica and Liobagrus andersoni were endemic to Korea. And, Lethenteron japonica, L. reissneri, Pungitius sinensis and Cottus hangiongensis were endangered fish species in this stream. Oncorhynchus keta, L. japonica and Tribolodon hakonensis were anadromous species, and Plecoglossus altivelis was an amphidromous species. The similarity index based on species composition and abundance clearly divided the fish community structure of the Baebong Stream into two sections fragmented by a weir installed into the stream. It is necessary to install a fish ways on the weirs for a fish migration and movements.