• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2010

The Russian ratsnake, Elaphe schrenckii, is found in Russia, China, and Korea, and is considered to be an endangered species by the Ministry of Environment in South Korea. Due to habitat loss and use in oriental medicine, their population has been severely decimated. In South Korea, two subspecies of E. schrenckii has been defined according to body color: E. s. schrenckii (blackish) and E. s. anomala (yellow-brownish). Molecular genetic studies on Elaphe schrenckii are very scarce and the taxonomy of Elaphe schrenckii subspecies is uncertain. From the present study, we attempted to identify the genetic differences of these two subspecies using species-specific microsatellites developed from the genomic library of E. schrenckii. Nine polymorphic loci were tested on 19 individuals from E. s. schrenckii (n=10) and E. s. anomala (n=9) in South Korea. The mean number of alleles was 3.78 in E. s. schrenckii and 4.11 in E. s. anomala. The average expected heterozygosity was 0.542 and 0.511 in E. s. schrenckii and E. s. anomala, respectively. We found a lack of genetic structure between two subspecies ($F_{ST}=0.016$) and no genetic discrimination between two subspecies was found. Based on the present findings by microsatellites, two subspecies can be considered as one species, E. schrenckii. However, further investigations on taxonomical status using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences need to be performed and morphological & ecological data should be revised. The genetic markers should benefit future studies of the endangered species of other Elaphe species for the study of genetic diversity and potential conservation management.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2012

To determine the movement patterns, home range, and use of structural features of captive-bred one- or two-year-old Amur ratsnake (Elaphe schrenckii) juveniles in the natural habitat, we radio-tracked a total of 11 juvenile snakes in a mountain valley in Chiaksan National Park, South Korea, between August 21 and September 20, 2010 and between June 13 and July 13, 2011. During the first week of the release, most juveniles moved short distances, daily, but they increased their distances after the first week. The body weight of the juveniles was negatively related with the movement rate (dividing the number of movements by the number of relocations), which was positively related with the mean daily distances moved and the size of both a kernel 50% and 95% home range. During the study period, the juveniles moved daily, approximately 17 m, and the size of the minimum convex polygon and the 50% and 95% kernel home ranges were 1.8 ha, 0.4 ha, and 3.0 ha, respectively. The released captive-bred juveniles were more frequently confirmed underground or on the ground rather than on rocks or on trees. Our results suggest that the body condition of released individuals, the seasonal time of the release, and the existence of available prey and shelters in the habitat should be carefully considered when releasing captive-bred Amur ratsnake juveniles for the rehabilitation of field populations.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.217-220
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• 2018

A female Russian rat snake, Elaphe schrenckii, was presented for loss of movement. Physical examination showed the swelling in the area of heart. Radiographic examination revealed cardiomegaly, pericardial effusion, and a soft opacity in the area of swelling. Although pericardiocentesis to remove fluid out from the heart as well as vigorous treatments were given to the Russian rat snake, it died during treatments. Postmortem examination confirmed pericardial effusion of pale yellow, translucent fluid with mild dilation of the right atrium and ventricle. Formalin -fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections were stained with routine H&E and the classical von Kossa's method for histopathological demonstration. Histopathological examination revealed multifocal calcification in myocardium and consists of the displacement of muscular fiber by limy deposits. Congestive heart failure was suspicious for the snake when it was alive. In wild reptiles, muscle degeneration has been reported with nutrition disorders but the present case is the first report of myocardial degeneration in a Russian rat snake and contributes to the rare reports of cardiac disease in snakes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.531-536
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• 2013

Morphological characteristics of Mesocestoides lineatus tetrathyridia collected from Chinese snakes and their adults recovered from experimental animals were studied. The tetrathyridia were detected mainly in the mesentery of 2 snake species, Agkistrodon saxatilis (25%) and Elaphe schrenckii (20%). They were 1.73 by 1.02 mm in average size and had an invaginated scolex with 4 suckers. Adult tapeworms were recovered from 2 hamsters and 1 dog, which were orally infected with 5-10 larvae each. Adults from hamsters were about 32 cm long and those from a dog were about 58 cm long. The scolex was 0.56 mm in average width with 4 suckers of 0.17 by 0.15 mm in average size. Mature proglottids measured 0.29 by 0.91 mm (av.). Ovaries and vitellaria bilobed and located in the posterior portion of proglottids. The cirrus sac was oval-shaped and located median. Testes were follicular, distributed in both lateral fields of proglottids, and 41-52 in number per proglottid. Gravid proglottids were 1.84 by 1.39 mm (av.) with a characteristic paruterine organ. Eggs were 35 by $27{\mu}m$ in average size with a hexacanth embryo. These morphological characteristics of adult worms were identical with those of M. lineatus reported previously. Therefore, it has been confirmed that the tetrathyridia detected in 2 species of Chinese snakes are the metacestodes of M. lineatus, and 2 snake species, A. saxatilis and E. schrenckii, play the role of intermediate hosts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.146-154
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• 2009

To suggest effective ways of the management of reptiles in Korea national parks, we applied PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag and radio telemetry research methods in the monitoring of reptiles in Odaesan and Woraksan national parks. We implanted PIT tags into 137 snakes (six species) captured in both the national parks between March 2006 and October 2008 and also radio-tracked two Korean rat snakes (Elaphe schrenckii anomala) from September 2007 to November 2008 in the Woraksan national park. Of total 137 snakes which we had inserted the PIT tag, 17 snakes (12.40%) were recaptured. Based on the PIT tag data of the recapture, we successfully obtained the annual growth rate of Korean cat snakes (Elaphe dione) and Red-tongue pit-viper (Gloydius ussuriensis). Home range of the Korean rat snakes based on the data of radiotracking was estimated as 389,600$m^2$ (MCP: Minimum convex polygon) and 471,800$m^2$ (Kernel 95%) for males and 162,500$m^2$ and 208,700$m^2$ for females. These results suggest that if we apply PIT tag and radio telemetry research methods to manage reptiles in Korea national parks, it could greatly increase our understanding about their basic ecology and as the result, it could allow us to develop better management and conservation ways of reptiles in Korea national parks.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.381-396
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• 2017

Understanding species distribution plays an important role in conservation as well as evolutionary biology. In this study, we applied a species distribution model to predict hotspot areas and habitat characteristics for endangered herpetofauna species in South Korea: the Korean Crevice Salamander (Karsenia koreana), Suweon-tree frog (Hyla suweonensis), Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), Narrow-mouthed toad (Kaloula borealis), Korean ratsnake (Elaphe schrenckii), Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus), Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii) and Soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The Kori salamander (Hynobius yangi) and Black-headed snake (Sibynophis chinensis) were excluded from the analysis due to insufficient sample size. The results showed that the altitude was the most important environmental variable for their distribution, and the altitude at which these species were distributed correlated with the climate of that region. The predicted distribution area derived from the species distribution modelling adequately reflected the observation site used in this study as well as those reported in preceding studies. The average AUC value of the eigh species was relatively high ($0.845{\pm}0.08$), while the average omission rate value was relatively low ($0.087{\pm}0.01$). Therefore, the species overlaying model created for the endangered species is considered successful. When merging the distribution models, it was shown that five species shared their habitats in the coastal areas of Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, which are the western regions of the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, we suggest that protection should be a high priority in these area, and our overall results may serve as essential and fundamental data for the conservation of endangered amphibian and reptiles in Korea.