• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.239-243
• /
• 2013

Tigers are one of the most endangered species over the world and protected internationally or locally. However, they are still traded illegally for the Traditional East Asia Medicine or souvenirs / mementos as well as fake products. In the present study, to identify the species of the specimen known as the tiger's genitalia that was sold for mementos in China, two approaches of genetic tools and morphological comparisons were applied. On the basis of the entire sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1,140 bp), the result of nucleotide comparisons showed that the specimen examined here is matched with banteng, Bos javanicus (Identities = 1,138/1,140; 99%). In addition, the examination of external morphological characters revealed that the genitalia of the specimen is much more similar to the one of cows, not to tigers. The outcomes highlighted that there are still some fake products of tigers traded in market and molecular genetic tools could help identifying species of wildlife products.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.15-19
• /
• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제27권9호
• /
• pp.1368-1372
• /
• 2014

Several studies arduously reported that gayal (Bos frontalis) is an independent bovine species. The population size is shrinking across its distribution. In Bangladesh, it is the only wild relative of domestic cattle and also a less cared animal. Their body size is much bigger than Bangladeshi native cattle and has prominent beef type characters along with the ability to adjust in any adverse environmental conditions. Human interactions and manipulation of biodiversity is affecting the habitats of gayals in recent decades. Besides, the only artificial reproduction center for gayals, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), has few animals and could not carry out its long term conservation scheme due to a lack of an objective based scientific mission as well as financial support. This indicates that the current population is much more susceptible to stochastic events which might be natural catastrophes, environmental changes or mutations. Further reduction of the population size will sharply reduce genetic diversity. In our recent investigation with 80K indicine single nucleotide polymorphism chip, the $F_{IS}$ (within-population inbreeding) value was reported as $0.061{\pm}0.229$ and the observed ($0.153{\pm}0.139$) and expected ($0.148{\pm}0.143$) heterozygosities indicated a highly inbred and less diverse gayal population in Bangladesh. Prompt action is needed to tape the genetic information of this semi-domesticated bovine species with considerable sample size and try to investigate its potentials together with native zebu cattle for understanding the large phenotypic variations, improvement and conservation of this valuable creature.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.323-327
• /
• 2006

DNA barcoding, an inventory of DNA sequences from a standardized genomic region, provides a bio-barcode for identifying and discovering species. Several recent studies suggest that the sequence diversity in a 648 bp region of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) might serve as a DNA barcode for identifying animal species such as North American birds, insects and fishes. The present study tested the effectiveness of a COI barcode in discriminating Korean bird species. We determined the 5' terminus of the COI barcode for 92 species of Korean birds and found that species identification was unambiguous; the genetic differences between closely related species were, on average, 25 times higher than the differences within species. We identified only one misidentified species out of 239 specimens in a genetic resource bank, so confirming the accuracy of species identification in the banking system. We also identified two potential composite species, calling for further investigation using more samples. The finding of large COI sequence differences between species confirms the effectiveness of COI barcodes for identifying Korean bird species. To bring greater reliability to the identification of species, increased intra- and interspecies sampling, as well as supplementation of the mitochondrial barcodes with nuclear ones, is needed.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• 제26권2호
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2010

Biodiversity, referring to the variety and abundance of species, their genetic composition, and the communities, ecosystem, and landscapes, is essential to maintain healthy and productive forests, and to provide useful hedge against the future uncertainties in conditions of the environment and natural resources. To realize the long-term sustainability for forest production of goods and services is dependent upon maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity in the forest ecosystem. Because we can not always recognized which portion of biodiversity is essential to maintain the stability and sustainability of the natural system, conserving biodiversity is even unconditionally important. Even though the activities of forest resource management may have a variety of negative impacts on biodiversity by modification of the natural ecosystem into economically effective artificial ecosystem, forest professionals have been developing intelligent scheme to coexist management and conservation. However, conservation of biodiversity must be a complex problem encircled by ecological, economical, and social considerations. There seems to be no such a simple and easy solution. Strategies for ecologically deliberated forest resource management, which could play an important role to conserve biodiversity, were discussed.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• 제28권1호
• /
• pp.48-53
• /
• 2012

The tiger population that once inhabited the Korean peninsula was initially considered a unique subspecies (Panthera tigris coreensis), distinct from the Amur tiger of the Russian Far East (P. t. altaica). However, in the following decades, the population of P. t. coreensis was classified as P. t. altaica and hence forth the two populations have been considered the same subspecies. From an ecological point of view, the classification of the Korean tiger population as P. t. altaica is a plausible conclusion. Historically, there were no major dispersal barriers between the Korean peninsula and the habitat of Amur tigers in Far Eastern Russia and northeastern China that might prevent gene flow, especially for a large carnivore with long-distance dispersal abilities. However, there has yet to be a genetic study to confirm the subspecific status of the Korean tiger. Bone samples from four tigers originally caught in the Korean peninsula were collected from two museums in Japan and the United States. Eight mitochondrial gene fragments were sequenced and compared to previously published tiger subspecies' mtDNA sequences to assess the phylogenetic relationship of the Korean tiger. Three individuals shared an identical haplotype with the Amur tigers. One specimen grouped with Malayan tigers, perhaps due to misidentification or mislabeling of the sample. Our results support the conclusion that the Korean tiger should be classified as P. t. altaica, which has important implications for the conservation and reintroduction of Korean tigers.

• 한국환경생태학회지
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.289-302
• /
• 2018

본 연구는 흑산도 산림유전자원보호구역을 대상으로 산림식생구조를 파악하고자 수행하였으며, 2017년 6월부터 2017년 8월까지 총 59개 조사구에서 식생조사를 실시하였다. Z-M 식물사회학적 방법으로 산림식생 유형을 분류하고 식생단위별 구성종의 중요치와 종다양도를 분석하였다. 산림식생유형분류 결과 최상위 단위에서 동백나무군락군으로 분류되었으며, 군락단위에서는 황칠나무군락(식생단위 1), 소사나무군락, 동백나무전형군락(식생단위 6)의 3개 군락으로 분류되었다. 소사나무군락은 회양목군(식생단위 2), 진달래군(식생단위 3), 왕머루군(식생단위 4), 소사나무전형군(식생단위 5)의 4개 소군으로 분류되었다. 식생단위별 평균상대우점치 분석 결과 식생단위 1은 붉가시나무, 식생단위 2는 소사나무, 식생단위 3은 곰솔, 식생단위 4는 소나무, 식생단위 5와 6은 구실잣밤나무가 각각 우점치가 가장 높게 나타났다. 종다양도 분석결과 식생단위 2의 종풍부도, 종다양도, 종균재도가 가장 높았으며, 종우점도는 식생단위 6이 가장 높았다. 흑산도 산림유전자원보호구역의 6개 식생단위와 12개 종군에 대한 군집생태학적 접근의 관리방안이 필요할 것으로 판단되었다.

• 한국산림과학회지
• /
• 제103권1호
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2014

본 연구에서는 물황철나무(Populus koreana Rehder) 집단을 대상으로 I-SSR 표지자를 이용해 유전다양성과 유전적 공간구조를 분석하였다. 물황철나무는 중국, 러시아 극동지역과 북한의 고산 계곡부 등에 서식하는 낙엽활엽 교목이다. 물황철나무는 남한에서 강원도 일대에 제한적으로 분포한다. 특히 오대산 집단은 물황철나무의 남방한계지로서 유전자원보존의 중요성이 강조된다. 8개의 I-SSR primer로 유전다양성을 추정한 결과, Shannon의 다양성 지수(I)는 0.230, 이형접합도의 기대치(He)는 0.151로 유사한 생활사를 갖는 타 수종에 비해 유전다양성이 매우 낮게 나타났다. 유전적 군락을 확인하기 위해 공간적 자기상관성 분석을 수행한 결과, 조사 지역 내의 물황철나무 집단은 400 m 이내에서 유전적으로 유사한 군락구조를 갖고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 물황철나무 집단의 현지외 유전자 보존을 위한 표본추출 시, 개체 간 거리를 400 m 이상으로 두는 것이 효율적일 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국어류학회지
• /
• 제21권sup1호
• /
• pp.52-62
• /
• 2009

한반도 주변 3개 해역은 서로 다른 지형과 다양한 해류의 교차로 종다양성의 근간이 된다. 또한, 복잡한 해류가 만나는 전선 주변으로는 좋은 어장이 형성된다. 그러나, 남획에 의한 자원의 감소 및 EEZ 발효에 의한 어장의 축소는 새로운 수산자원 관리법을 필요로 하게 되었다. 수산자원의 효율적 관리를 위해 우선 다양한 해양환경에 적응한 지역개체군의 실체를 파악하는 것이 필요하다. 지역개체군의 형태 및 유전에 관한 연구는 자원의 관리단위 및 구역을 명확히 하는 데 기여할 것이다. 최종적으로 해역별 수산자원의 관리방안 제시가 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 2011

Siberian chipmunks, Tamias sibiricus, are one of several popular companion animals found in the pet shops of South Korea. At present, however, there have been no studies done in South Korea examining their origin even though they could be potential carriers of zoonotic diseases, and are a species of concern for efficient conservation and management strategies. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) were determined to investigate the origin of Siberian chipmunks sold in four South Korean pet shops through comparison with sequence data from animals of known locality. Nine Siberian chipmunks were collected from pet shops in South Korea, which resulted in nine haplotypes. One (AR) of these coincided with the haplotype previously described. Phylogenetic and network analyses using 53 haplotypes including 45 haplotypes from GenBank showed three phylogenetic groups in South Korea, almost concordant to locality, designated as northern, central, and southern parts as described in a previous study. Of the nine individuals examined from the pet shops, eight were clustered into the northern phylogroup but one (cgrb9153) was grouped with the southern phylogroup, implying that at least the Siberian chipmunks examined in this study did not originate from other countries. It is likely that most individuals sold in the pet shops of Seoul were caught in the wild in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do, or are maternal descendants of captive-bred individuals originating from the northern part of South Korea. It is recommended that conservation and management units of Korean chipmunks should be examined in further detail.