• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.118-121
• /
• 2015

The water deer, Hydropotes inermis (Cervidae), is native to China and Korea and has two subspecies of the Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis inermis) and Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus). To date, only the Korean water deer has been reported in South Korea. In this study, however, an intraspecific phylogeny and haplotype analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I indicated that both Korean and Chinese water deer are found in South Korea. The populations of the two Korean genetic lineages did not show distinct geographic distributions. Further morphological studies on the Korean water deer will be required to confirm its taxonomic status.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.162-168
• /
• 2016

The objective of this study was to estimate the roadkill occurrence of water deer (Hydropotes inermis), a representative roadkill species in South Korea. For this estimation, I analyzed national road statistics and roadkill statistics, and then reviewed case studies that estimated the number of deer roadkill in other countries to apply the estimating methods to our case. As a result, the estimated number of water deer vehicle collision was at least 60,000 per year in South Korea.

• Journal of KIBIM
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2018

Rapid developments around the world have resulted in urban expansion, habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, and pollution problems, which are the main reasons for the decline in biological diversity. The United Nations warns that many animals and plants will die out in the near future if this continues. This study was performed to propose a map of eco-corridor suitability analysis of Korean water deer(Hydropotes Inermis) to enhance biodiversity in Chuncheon city. Eight factors affecting habitat suitability were elevation, aspect, slope, forest type, distance to the road, distance to the stream, land use and green connectivity. Previous study analysis on the mobility behaviour of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes Inermis) produced a habitat suitability map by determining the threshold and assigning a value between 0 and 1 depending on the habitat suitability using the fuzzy function. A method of analysis was proposed for a number of eco-corridor through comparative analysis of the data from the produced habitat suitability map and the road-kill point. The previous studies were focused on Backdudaegan region and national parks except for urban cities. The potential habitat map of Korean water deer could be helpful as a way to prevent habitat disconnection and increase species diversity in urban areas.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.60-64
• /
• 2024

This case report documents the rescue, clinical presentation, treatment, and recovery of pneumothorax in a female Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) following a vehicular collision. Severe injuries, including a confirmed rib fracture, prompted an extensive treatment plan. Computed tomography imaging confirmed pneumothorax, particularly in the left lung, necessitating thoracocentesis to alleviate the accumulated air. Post-procedural monitoring demonstrated gradual recovery, with the water deer exhibiting restored appetite after the 2nd day of thoracocentesis. Successful recovery marked by natural pneumothorax resolution allowed for treatment cessation on the 13th day after injury.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.465-467
• /
• 2005

The sacrum fused with ilium in a chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) was observed. The sacrum consists of four sacral vertebrae which was fused each other. In the ventral part of the fused pelvis, on the left, there was a 20.19 mm gap at the dorsolateral part of the sacroiliac articular part which is in between the promontory and the cranial border of the first ventral sacral foramen. On the right, there was a 14.34 mm gap at the dorsal part of sacroiliac articulation. In the dorsal view of the fused pelvis, the wing of sacrum and the wing of ilium were fused tightly, so that the boundary of the two bones was not recognizable. The left and right second dorsal sacral foramina and the third dorsal sacral foramen on the left were small. The third dorsal and ventral sacral foramina on the right were not formed.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 2018

Our study aims to provide a guideline of deer-proof fence heights to prevent roadkill of water deer (Hydropotes inermis), the most frequently killed by a vehicle collision, in South Korea. With 27 water deer in deer ecology center of the National Institute of Ecology, we measured the ability of water deer to jump gradually higher fences from 0.5cm by 10cm until the deterrence rate reached 100%. Ourresultrevealed that the deterrence rate became 96.7% at the fence height of 1.5m and the rate reached 100% at the 1.8m. We believe that our result provides the fundamental information to prepare a standard of deer-proof fence height. This evidence-based standard will contribute to improving the guideline for wildlife crossing construction and management, established by Ministry of Environment Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.365-370
• /
• 2011

The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is one of the most primitive extant deer of the family Cervidae. Unlike Chinese water deer, Korean water deer have rarely been studied, even though they have relatively well remained in Korea. In particular, the home range of the Korean water deer has not yet been studied. Here we estimated the home range of the Korean water deer using two different methods (GPS and radio tracking) and analyzed the home range according to sex, time, and season. The mean home range size of four individuals was 2.77 $km^2$ and 0.34 $km^2$ under the 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) and the 50% kernel (K) method, respectively. There seemed to be a difference in home range size between males (3.30 $km^2$) and females (2.25 $km^2$) under the 95% MCP method. We also found a difference in home range size between day (1.90 $km^2$) and night (2.43 $km^2$) by 95% MCP method. In addition, a home range size difference was observed between summer (4.65 $km^2$) and spring (0.48 $km^2$) or fall (0.85 $km^2$) using the 95% MCP method. Water deer seemed to have a larger home range in night than in day, and males also have a larger home range. We presumed that the GPS tracking method of the code division multiple access system could be a very useful tool for understanding the ecology of the water deer using the radio tracking method. Using these tracking methods and through future research, we can better understand the habitat use pattern of these water deer.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.363-368
• /
• 2009

The Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) is an endemic species and one of the common species in Korea. The species ranges throughout the Korean peninsula and plays an important role as herbivores in natural ecosystem. Therefore, the species could be used as a good bio-indicator to monitor the quality of habitats. This study was to estimate the concentrations of five heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) from three different organs (kidney, liver and spleen) in the Korean water deer. According to the analyses of heavy metal accumulations, the concentration of Fe is higher than Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb from all the organs. Among the organs, spleen (286.50) showed higher heavy metal concentrations than kidney (39.40) and liver ($23.21\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$). In general, the concentrations of the heavy metals were about two times higher in Cheorwon, Gangwon province than in the Eastern part of Jeonnam province. In particular, Cd and Pb showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Except for Fe in spleen, all of the heavy metal concentrations were below background levels.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.283-292
• /
• 2015

The total global emission of $CO_2$ from soils is recognized as one of the largest fluxes in the global carbon cycle. Especially it is necessary to quantify the amount of $CO_2$ emitted by the organic material decomposition processes of microorganisms in the soil, because it becomes one of a factor for determining the carbon stocks in the soil. This study was conducted to estimate the impact of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes inermis)' feces to the soil organic matter. Also, effects of Korean water deer' feces on $CO_2$ emissions of soil and land use pattern dependent $CO_2$ flux quantification are studied. The organic materials in the Korean water deer' feces significantly changed organic matter content of soil and influenced the activity of soil microorganisms, both changing of respiration of the soil and physical chemical components in soil. In particular, C/N ratio and the $CO_2$ flux of soil of four regions (Rice paddy, Fallow ground, Salix koreensis community, Phragmites australis community) showed a statistically highly significant correlation (P<0.01) with the presence or absence of feces. $CO_2$ flux of soil affected by the feces was 2-20 times higher than the soil unaffected by the feces. This study has great significance to quantify the extent of the material circulation and its impact to the terrestrial ecosystem and soil zone throughout Korean water deer' feces. Feces of wildlife can affect soil and soil material circulation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.653-659
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in the Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus). Pathogens were identified using PCR which included Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Theileria. Rickettsia was not detected, whereas Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Theileria infections were detected in 4, 2, and 8 animals, respectively. The most prevalent pathogen was Theileria. Of the 8 Theileria-positive animals, 2 were mixed-infected with 3 pathogens (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Theileria) and another 2 animals showed mixed-infection with 2 pathogens (Anaplasma and Theileria). Sequencing analysis was used to verify the PCR results. The pathogens found in this study were identified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Theileria sp. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report identifying these 3 pathogens in the Korean water deer. Our results suggest that the Korean water deer may serve as a major reservoir for these tick-borne pathogens, leading to spread of tick-borne diseases to domestic animals, livestock, and humans. Further studies are needed to investigate their roles in this respect.