• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.566-575
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• 2008

Twenty-five chipmunk species occur in the world, of which only the Siberian chipmunk, Tamias sibiricus, inhabits Asia. To investigate mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variations and population structure of the Siberian chipmunk in northeastern Asia, we examined mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (1140 bp) from 3 countries. Analyses of 41 individuals from South Korea and 33 individuals from Russia and northeast China resulted in 37 haplotypes and 27 haplotypes, respectively. There were no shared haplotypes between South Korea and Russia - northeast China. Phylogenetic trees and network analysis showed 2 major maternal lineages for haplotypes, referred to as the S and R lineages. Haplotype grouping in each cluster was nearly coincident with its geographic affinity. In particular, 3 distinct groups were found that mostly clustered in the northern, central and southern parts of South Korea. Nucleotide diversity of the S lineage was twice that of lineage R. The divergence between S and R lineages was estimated to be 2.98-0.98 Myr. During the ice age, there may have been at least 2 refuges in South Korea and Russia - northeast China. The sequence variation between the S and R lineages was 11.3% (K2P), which is indicative of specific recognition in rodents. These results suggest that T. sibiricus from South Korea could be considered a separate species. However, additional information, such as details of distribution, nuclear genes data or morphology, is required to strengthen this hypothesis.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2010

The subfamily Murinae is a very controversial group concerning their phylogenetic relationship. Previous studies could not resolve phylogeny among four genera Apodemus, Micromys, Mus and Rattus of the Muridae. In the present study, eight rodent species resident in South Korea were collected and phylogenetically analyzed based on sequence data of five mitochondrial and nuclear DNA regions: 12S rRNA, cytochrome b gene (cyt b), cytochrome oxidase II (COII), control region of mitochondrial DNA, and a thyroglobulin (Tg) of nuclear DNA. According to the phylogeny of the concatenated data, M. musculus separated early in Murinae (ML 100%; BA 1.00 pp) and the genus Rattus grouped with the harvest mouse, M. minutes; these were separated from the genus Apodemus with relatively strong support (ML 74%; BA 0.76 pp). The Siberian chipmunk population was also examined using the five genes to obtain better resolution. The phylogeny for Korean rodents determined using the 12S rRNA, cyt b, COII and control regions discriminated the Siberian chipmunk populations from Korea, Russia, and China.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.379-381
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• 2013

To know the status of sparganum (plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei) infection in the Korean wild life, several species of wild animals were captured in Gangwon-do and examined for their status of infection with spargana. From February to December 2011, a total of 62 wild boars, 5 badgers, 1 weasel, 1 Siberian chipmunk, and 53 wild rodents were captured, and their whole muscles were examined with naked eyes for the presence of spargana worms. From the weasel and 1 wild boar, a total of 5 spargana specimens were extracted. The weasel was for the first time recorded as an intermediate or paratenic/transport host of S. erinacei in Korea, and both the weasel (Mustela sibirica manchurica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) were added to the list of wild animals carrying spargana.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.361-367
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• 2022

This study was conducted to identify annual variation of observation and activity pattern of Korean chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) using camera traps in the Seoraksan and Jirisan National Parks, South Korea from May 2019 to May 2021. The annual variation was identified based on the observed frequency through weekly observations. Daily activity patterns of the species were also analyzed by season. The daily activity pattern of chipmunk appeared to be constantly diurnal across the years regardless of habitat or season. The Korean chipmunks living in the two different regions were observed in different time periods throughout the year. While the chipmunks inhabiting the Seoraksan were observed from 18^th to 45^th week, the chipmunks inhabiting the Jirisan National Park were observed from 7^th to 48^th week. This may be influenced by the hibernation period of chipmunks in the two different regions. In both regions, chipmunks were most frequently observed in autumn. It is considered that seasonal variation on population dynamic and activity patterns of chipmunks were reflected in the observation frequency. Although the observation frequency of camera trap is an indirect indicator and thus having a limitation that it cannot distinguish the population density and amount of activity for the target species, camera trapping is still an effective survey technique for monitoring mammals due to its high accessibility and easy use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.51-58
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• 2006

The purpose of this research presents a method to position and makes the structure for eco-corridors reasonably with collectable analysing results of various effects shown in mammals' road-kill at 429 points. Target animals of this research are Leopard cat, Siberian weasel, Raccoon dog, Korean hare, Eurasian red squirrel, Siberian chipmunk and Water deer. The results derived from the empirical analysis on the contents above are followed. First, according to the results as for Leopard cat road kill analysis, which is designated as Endangered Species Class II, the eco-corridor might be located at near village having stead food in order to decrease the frequencies of road-kill, because its road kill points were mainly collected at 4 lane hilly road with mountain-road-farm area geological type of. Second, because Siberian weasel's road kill was detected at 2 lane hilly road with mountain-road-stream geological type, the eco-corridor might be located at near a mill to decrease road-kill frequencies. Third, the road-kill frequency of Eurasian red squirrel can be reduced when the eco-corridor is located at the area across coniferous tree near 4 lane west sea freeway with mountain-road-mountain. Fourth, the road-kill of Raccoon dog can be reduced when the eco-corridor is located at 4 lane mountain road or hilly road with the geological type having farm land-road-mountain(stream). Fifth, Korean hare's road-kill can be reduced when the eco-corridor is located at grass land across ridge line of mountain, because wild rabbit road kill was happened at 4 lane mountain road or 2 lane mountain road(mountain-road-mountain). Sixth, As for Siberian chipmunk, the eco-corridor might be located at the side slope of mountain road at 2 lane mountain road under the speed of 60km/h with mountain-road-mountain. Seventh, For Water deer, the eco-corridor might be located at 4 lane hilly road with mountain-road-farm land. As for Common otter, Amur hedgehog, Yellow-throated marten, Weasel, it is difficult to specify the proper site of eco-corridor due to the lack of data. Eco-corridors for carnivores might be well located at 4 lane hilly road or 2 lane hilly road with mountain-road-farm land, and the track for herbivores might be well located as a overhead bridge on mountain-road-mountain type across mountains. In order to position eco-corridors for wildlife properly, we have to research animal's behavior with ecological background, and to consider the local uniqueness and regularly collect the empirical road-kill data in long term 3 to 5 year, which can be the foundation for the more suitable place of wild life eco-corridors.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.5 s.118
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• pp.52-58
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• 2006

Wildlife roadkill is a serious problem for road planners and biologists concerned with traffic safety, species conservation, and animal welfare. The objective of this paper was to analyze the effect of land use on the frequency of mammal roadkills. This study took part in three steps. First, data for 1,279 road kills of nine species were collected by survey over 26 months on 107km of roads near the Mt. Jirisan area. Second, the type of land use near the roadkill points was analyzed, and the area of each land use within loom of the road was calculated using GIS. Finally, the question of whether the land use affects the Sequency of mammal roadkills was analyzed by determining the density of roadkill occurrences for each land-use type. The results of the study were as follows. First, the roadkill density of all species was highest near grasslands, especially natural grasslands. Second, when comparing forests and rice fields, roadkill densities of the Eurasian red squirrel, Siberian chipmunk and Korean hare were higher near the forests, while the densities of the raccoon dog, water deer and leopard cat were higher near rice fields. The results of this study could be an essential information source for mitigating the roadkill problem in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.2 s.159
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• pp.112-116
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• 2005

This study was conducted to obtain the information of distribution, protection and management for mammal species in fragmented forest areas around the road from June 2002 to May 2003 in 9 study sites of Baekdugdaegan mountains, Korea. Field signs of twelve mammals, moles Molera robusta, Korean hares Lepus coreanus, Manchurian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus, red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris, Korean racoon dogs Nyctereutes procyonoides, Siberian weasels Mustela sibirica, badgers Meles meles, otters Lutra lutra, Bengal cats Felis bengalensis, wild boars Sus scrofa, water deer Hydropotes inermis and roe deer Capreolus pygargus were recorded in this study. There were no differences in total number of species between 50 m areas and 50-100 m areas from road in snow and non-snow season. Number of mammals' field signs were different in non-snow season between both areas. Red squirrels and Siberian weasels were more abundant in 50 m areas, and Korean hares and Manchurian chipmunks were in 50-100 m areas. Habitat using pattern of mammal species may be affected by the road. Reasonable road construction and maintenance would be needed for protection and management of wildlife and their habitats.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2003

To understand the adaptational strategy of Korean chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) to cold temperature, blood and serum properties, and thyroid gland activity of cold-exposed chipmunks were examined. The number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentration increased, but platelets decreased in cold-exposed chipmunks compared with warm chipmunks. Serum total protein levels increased at early phase of cold-exposure, and decreased thereafter. Plasma glucose levels showed a transitory increase in cold temperature. Although there was significant decrease in serum total thyroxine level in cold-exposed chipmunks, serum total triiodothyronine level changed little. Histological analysis of thyroid glands demonstrated decreased thyroid activity, suggesting that differences in the blood and serum properties between the warm and cold-exposed chipmunks may be due to the different metabolic strategy associated with cold temperature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.12-24
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• 2008

With recent emphasis on the creation of environment-friendly new towns, introduction of ecological facilities for habitation and migration of wild animal's species is requested when developing new towns. In order to introduce such facilities, building an eco-network within the site based on the connectivity of the source area and habitats is essential in new town development. Therefore, this study mainly aimed at selecting species targeted for building an eco-network in Pangyo new town, which is intended to be an environment-friendly city. Therefore, criteria for selecting target species were generated. Then, species observed within the site through field surveys and literature review was evaluated based on the selection criteria and items. By totaling the score, a list of appropriate targeted species was finalized. Among species surveyed and observed in the site, appropriate target species that may be selected for Pangyo new town's eco-network include Falco tinnunculus interstinctus, Accipiter soloensis, Picus canus, Paradoxornis webbiana, Parus palustris, Parus ater, Parus major and Passer montanus Egretta in birds, Asiatic chipmunk, Nyctereutes procyonoides in mammals. For Pangyo new town, it is essential to create living environment and build a network for major wild animal species within the site based on target species. This will play a crucial role in building a reasonable ecological network enabling harmonious co-existence between mankind and nature. In order to build an ecological network successfully, follow-up studies need to be conducted on restoration technology and methods required for creating habitats appropriate to target species.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1972

A simple and effective procedure is described for semi-purification of viable Myco. leprae from biopsied lepromatous nodules by trypsinization and high-speed centrifugation. An unique characteristic of this method is a complete omission of conventional grinding or homogenization of minced lepromatous tissues prior to purification. Inoculation of trypsin-purified preparation of Myco. leprae into foot pads and ear lobes of Korean chipmunk(Tamias sibiricus asiaticus, Gmelin) resulted in apparent increases in total number of acid-fast bacilli per inoculated tissue 8 and 12 months after inoculation.