• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2006

A closely associated set of characteristics was analyzed using both classical and truss dimensions to discriminate the morphometric traits of three species of torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) in Korea. After arcsine square root transformation, 18 measurements relative to the standard length and three measurements relative to the head length of each species of torrent catfish were compared statistically. Classical and truss dimensions of each of four morphometric traits showed higher values in the bullhead torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus, than the Korean and south torrent catfish (L. andersoni and L. mediadiposalisa, respectively; P<0.05). Truss dimensions of three morphometric traits were higher in the bullhead and Korean torrent catfish than in the south torrent catfish (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in six morphometric traits among these Amblycipitidae. The dimensions used in this study may be useful as taxonomic indicators to discriminate species of Liobagrus in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2006

Histological observations of the barbels of torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) in Korea are reported. The bullhead torrent catfish (Liobagrus andersoni) and Korean torrent catfish (L. obesus) have eight obvious barbels in two pairs each on the maxilla and mandible. Each barbel is composed of an epidermis, dermis, and central cartilagerod. The epidermis of the maxillary and mandibular barbels of the bullhead torrent catfish is thicker than that of the Korean torrent catfish (P<0.05) and is formed of stratified epithelium that contains many cutaneous taste buds and a few small club cells. There are many taste buds on the upper part of each barbel. The dermis consists of loose connective tissue fibers that enclose blood vessels and bundles of nerve fibers. The barbels of these fish can be categorized into stiff and flexible types and are accessory, feeding, and sensory structures. Our results validate the barbels as gustatory receptor organs for these fishes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the skeletal development of bullhead torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus larvae and to utilize them as basic data for the taxonomic study of Liobagrus larvae. Skeletal development was observed by being divided into cranium, visceral skeleton, shoulder girdle bone, pelvic girdle bone and vertebra. On the first day after hatching, the pre-larvae had an average total length of 7.92 mm, and a line-shaped parasphenoid ossified in the cranium. In the jaw bone, the dentary supporting the lower jaw and the maxillary supporting the upper jaw were ossified. In the anterior abdominal vertebrae of the vertebra, seven centrums began to ossify and five neural spines ossified simultaneously. On the 3 day after hatching, pre-larvae had an average total length of 8.95 mm, and the prefrontal ossified in cranium. The number of abdominal vertebrae was increased to 14, and three parapophysis developed from the front side. On the 24th day after hatching, post-larvae had an average total length of 15.2 mm and the epural bone ossified in coccyx. The parhypural bone was ossified, and ossification of coccyx and pelvic girdle bone was completed. On the 30th day after hatching, the average total length of the juvenile was 17.8 mm, and the ossification of cranium and visceral skeleton was all completed while the preorbital and three suborbitals were ossified in the orbital region of the cranium.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2017

For the karyotype analysis of Liobagrus hyeongsanensis, an endemic Korean torrent catfish, ten females and five males were used from Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbukdo, Korea. The diploid number of chromosomes was 42, and its karyotype consisted of 30 metacentrics and 12 submetacentrics; 84 FN (fundamental number), with having no polyploidy and sexual dimorphism. The chromosome number was the same as other closely-related species, L. mediadiposalis and L. somjinensis, but their karyotypes showed a clear difference by species. Such result may be related to chromosomal rearrangements by Robertsonian rearrangement with geographical isolation.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.250-254
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• 2011

Modified organs for air respiration in Korean fish was reviewed in the following 6 Korean fishes: three mudskippers (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, Periophthalmus modestus and P. magnuspinnatus), two mud loaches (Misgurnus mizolepis and M. anguillicaudatus), and a torrent catfish (Liobagrus mediadiposalis). Three mudskippers and a torrent catfish have a modified epidermis to in order to make up for the deficient oxygen supply. Their epidermis has abundant intraepithelial blood capillaries except dermal capillaries situated just beneath the stratum germinativum of the epidermis in B. pectinirostris. The epidermis was thick due to component of the following cells: two kinds of glands as a small mucous cells and a large club cells in L. mediadiposalis, voluminous cells (swollen cells) swollen by epidermal cells and a small mucous cells in B. pectinirostris, and only voluminous cells having no any glandular cells in P. modestus and P. magnuspinnatus. In Particular, the epidermis of the mudskippers appears to be a web-like structure due to the swollen epithelial cells. The dermal bulges are found in B. pectinirostris and they are situated at the skin covering the body, not appendage of all the fins and the sucking disc. Another modified organ in M. mizolepis and M. anguillicaudatus occurs in intestine and its mucosal epithelium has abundant blood capillaries.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 1995

One new and one the first recording digenetic trematodes are described from Korean freshwater fishes : Orientocreadium koreanum sp. nov. from Liobagrus andersoni Regan (Korean torrent catfish) and O. psedobagri Yamaguti, 1934 from Pseudobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson) (Korean bullhead). The problems of the family Orientocreadiidae and the major identifying characters of O. koreanum are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2007

Feeding habits of Liobagrus andersoni were investigated in a tributary of the Namhan river from October 2005 to October 2006. L. andersoni was considered as an entirely bottom-feeding carnivore based on it's stomach contents. Because, the diet of L. andersoni was mainly aquatic insect such as Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Diptera. The most important prey was Ephemeroptera species. Small sized individuals (<50 mm SL) fed mainly on small prey organisms such as Baetis. However, larger Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were heavily selected with increasing fish size. The relative proportion of food items was changed with season. The prey materials were more various at summer and autumn than winter. L. andersoni eaten Ephemeroptera intensively in spring and summer but eaten Trichoptera and Chironomidae in winter. Feeding activity of L. andersoni was started after sunset and was most active at midnight, but the activity was reduced after sunrise and during day period. So it was considered that L. andersoni was a nocturnal stalkers.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.175-178
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• 2016

The karyotype analysis of Liobagrus somjinensis, an endemic Korean freshwater fish with restricted waters and a new species of torrent catfish was carried out from nine females and eight males of Somjingang River, Sikjeong-dong, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. The diploid number of chromosomes was 42, and its karyotype was composed of 28 metacentrics and 14 submetacentrics; 84 FN (fundamental number). Polyploidy and sex dimorphism were not observed in the present species. The chromosome number of L. somjinensis was the same as its congeners, but there was a difference in karyotypes.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-68
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• 2018

The anatomical study of the olfactory organ in Liobagrus somjinensis, being related to the habitat environment and ecological habit, was carried out using a stereomicroscopy and digital camera. The paired olfactory organs are situated at the dorsal part of the snout, and consisted of two opening (anterior and posterior nostrils) and the olfactory chamber. The tubular anterior nostril is located between the tip of upper lip and the nasal barbel. The posterior nostril flat to the surface is adjacent entirely to the basement of the nasal barbel. The olfactory chamber has a rosette structure with 22~24 lamellae of linguiform, arranged transversely and radially from the medium raphe. These results may prove that L. somjinensis is dependent on olfaction, related to the hiding, the feeding and the nocturnal lifestyle in rapids.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2012

The spawning site characters in the natural environment of bull-head torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus, were investigated at the part of the Gosan stream in Korea from April to October 2010 and June 2011. The sex ratio of female to male was 1 : 1.02. Spawning season was from June to July with water temperature in approximately $23^{\circ}C$. The spawning sites were covered by the boulder used upper plate and were composed of gravel and sand. One male lies with the egg mass and guards the developing embryos in the hollow below the boulder. The environmental conditions of the spawning sites were $61.4{\pm}11.97$ (50~85) cm in depth, 0.58${\pm}0.067$ (0.48~0.72) m/sec in surface water velocity, $0.46{\pm}0.098$ (0.27~0.61) m/sec in middle water velocity, $0.27{\pm}0.083$ (0.14~0.41) m/sec in bottom water velocity. The boulder width as spawning sites was $26.2{\pm}5.32$ (20~38) cm in long axis, $20.5{\pm}2.97$ (16~25) cm in short axis and $11.1{\pm}4.02$ (5~19) cm in height. The hollow underneath the boulder was $9.8{\pm}2.32$ (6~14) cm in diameter and $2.8{\pm}1.10$ (1.5~5) cm in depth. The average number of eggs in ovary was $124{\pm}27.7$ (92~180). The matured egg size was $3.40{\pm}0.078$ (3.21~3.56) mm. The average number of spawning eggs in the spawning site was $99{\pm}12.9$ (81~122).