• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2022

Unidentified postflexion larva (18.57 mm in standard length, SL), belonging to the family Synodontidae was collected from Jeju Island, Korea, in November 2019. Molecular analysis revealed that the unidentified larva was identical to Synodus kaianus adults in mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I region (Kimura-2-parameter distance, d= 0.006), and was different from the close species S. macrops (d=0.220). The postflexion larva of S. kaianus has the following morphological features: regularly distributed seven peritoneal pigment spots along the alimentary canal; and, intensively distributed stellate melanophores at the middle of the base of caudal fin and behind the last anal fin ray. The postflexion larva of S. kaianus differed from that of S. macrops in snout length and size of peritoneal pigment spots. This is the first record of S. kaianus in Korea, and we suggest the Korean name "Ka-i-ya-kkoch-dong-myeol" for S. kaianus, according to Lee et al. (1999).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.967-972
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• 2022

We investigated the molecular and morphological traits of 338 individual macrourids collected from the Southern Ocean (FAO area number, 88.1 and 88.3) between 2021 and 2022 by Korean bottom trawls. We first identified them as Macrourus caml and Macrourus whitsoni based on morphological traits, such as the number of pelvic fin rays (PF) and the rows of lower jaw teeth (LJT). However four individuals showed uncategorizable morphological characteristics such as PF and LJT numbers that overlapped between the two species. Subsequently, we obtained and analyzed 509 bp of the mtDNA COI sequences of 49 individuals, including the four unidentified individuals, and found only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that distinguished the two species. Finally, using our molecular identification key, we confirmed that each two individuals were misidentified as M. whitsoni and M. caml reversely. Our results suggest that the number of PF and LJT should be investigated together to accurately identify the two species.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2024

On November 9, 2022, a goatfish (Mullidae) that had not been previously reported in Korea was collected during offshore fisheries resources research near Jeju Island. Based on the morphological identification, this goatfish was identified as the genus Upeneus owing to the presence of palatine teeth and vomerine teeth, as well as the proximal part of anterior part of second dorsal fin. Additionally, through molecular identification, the previously unreported goatfish was identified as U. subvittatus with a 99.8% match in the mtDNA COI region. Goatfish U. subvittatus has no patterns on its body and dark bands on both the lower and upper caudal fins, making it well distinguishable from the four species of genus Upeneus reported in Korea. U. vittatus, reported in Japan, showed morphological differences from U. subvittatus in that the dark band on the lower lobe of the caudal fin was wider, and longitudinal stripes were present on the body. Based on the morphological characteristics of U. subvittatus, we suggest a new Korean name, "Jul-mu-nui-kko-li-chog-su".

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2024

The remarkable economic growth achieved in the modern era has revitalized various industries, including pet trade. More than 2,000 species of non-native species have been introduced to South Korea and approximately 7.7 tonnes of alien turtles are imported annually. Turtles belonging to the family Kinosternidae. They are mostly small and popular pets, although they are designated as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) species. In the present study, we present the first two species of musk turtles found in the wild in South Korea. On April 5, 2023 and July 8, 2023, an eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) and a razorbacked musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) were captured in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do and Jung-gu, Daejeon, respectively. The carapace length was 88.6 mm for S. odoratus and 105.68 mm for S. carinatus. They were identified based on their morphological characteristics and mtDNA cytochrome b gene. These turtles were found in waterfront areas with over 1.4 million annual visitors. Both sites were found to have threatened amphibians and reptiles. There is an urgent need to continue monitoring and conducting risk assessments for the protection of endemic species in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.631-639
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• 2016

China has a long history of sheep (Ovis aries [O. aries]) breeding and an abundance of sheep genetic resources. Knowledge of the complete O. aries mitogenome should facilitate the study of the evolutionary history of the species. Therefore, the complete mitogenome of O. aries was sequenced and annotated. In order to characterize the mitogenomes of 3 Chinese sheep breeds (Altay sheep [AL], Shandong large-tailed sheep [SD], and small-tailed Hulun Buir sheep [sHL]), 19 sets of primers were employed to amplify contiguous, overlapping segments of the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of each breed. The sizes of the complete mitochondrial genomes of the sHL, AL, and SD breeds were 16,617 bp, 16,613 bp, and 16,613 bp, respectively. The mitochondrial genomes were deposited in the GenBank database with accession numbers KP702285 (AL sheep), KP981378 (SD sheep), and KP981380 (sHL sheep) respectively. The organization of the 3 analyzed sheep mitochondrial genomes was similar, with each consisting of 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 13 protein-coding genes, and 1 control region (D-loop). The NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and 8 tRNA genes were encoded on the light strand, whereas the rest of the mitochondrial genes were encoded on the heavy strand. The nucleotide skewness of the coding strands of the 3 analyzed mitogenomes was biased toward A and T. We constructed a phylogenetic tree using the complete mitogenomes of each type of sheep to allow us to understand the genetic relationships between Chinese breeds of O. aries and those developed and utilized in other countries. Our findings provide important information regarding the O. aries mitogenome and the evolutionary history of O. aries inside and outside China. In addition, our results provide a foundation for further exploration of the taxonomic status of O. aries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.4
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• pp.422-428
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• 2016

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is one of the most appropriate roadside trees because of a good transplantation nature and ability to grow well in urban environment. Ginkgo is a dioecious species. Sex discrimination of ginkgo is possible through comparing morphological characters of reproductive organs. However, it needs more than about twenty years for reproductive organs to appear after sexual maturity. Until now, ginkgo trees for roadside plantation have been planted without discriminating the sex because ginkgo trees have been usually planted before sexual maturity. Ginkgo nuts from the female ginkgo trees planted along the roadside emit a foul odor, and make much pollution on the streets. Thus in this study a novel SCAR marker (SCAR-GBM) for the early sex discrimination was developed. Primers were developed on the basis of the sequence of male-specific RAPD variants reported previously. False-negative problem of SCAR marker, probably caused by dominant nature, was resolved by using multiplex PCR using primers of both the SCAR-GBM and a universal primer set of atp1 region in mitochondria DNA, which resulted in improved discrimination efficiency. The results showed that DNA bands of 1,039 bp were commonly amplified by the atp1 primer set in male and female trees, and SCAR-GBM markers of 675 bp were specifically amplified only in male trees. Reproducible and specific discrimination of the multiplex PCR was finally confirmed by applying multiple male and female individuals.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.320-330
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• 2007

Mitochondrial 16S DNA sequences of Bemisia tabaci which were collected on rose greenhouse of Iwol and Jinchen in Chungbuk and red pepper field of Miryang, Gyeongnam, were analyzed. The mtCOI PCR product of B. tabaci collected on red pepper field of Miryang were digested with EcoT14I (Sty I) into two fragments 555bp and 311bp, while the PCR product of B. tabaci collected on rose greenhouse of Iwol were digested with Sty I into two fragments of 560bp and 306bp. As a result, B. tabaci collected on red pepper reveal biotype Q and those on rose greenhouse was biotype B. These was difference between two biotypes in insecticide susceptibility, and the biotype B was more susceptible than biotype Q. As a result of foliar systemic test, root-uptake systemic test and residual effect, the biotype B was more susceptible. In case of inhibition effect on enzyme activities of fenitrothion (organophosphorous) and fenothiocarb (carbamate), those of biotype Q was higher than those of biotype B. These results indicate that biotype Q was more resistant than biotype B against 12 insecticides.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.461-471
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• 2017

Population genetic studies of 10 groups of Iksookimia pacifica were conducted to investigate the genetic diversity and population genetic structure across its known range in South Korea. Population DNA sequences of one mitochondrial gene (mtCOI) and three nuclear genes (IRBP, EGR2B, RAG1) were examined in samples collected from ten streams that flow into the East Sea. Both mitochondrial and nuclear sequences exhibited significant differentiation among populations except a few cases. The Bayesian analysis of the multi-locus genotypes inferred from the DNA sequences of nuclear genes clustered the individual fish largely into two geographical groups: a northern group (from Baebong stream to Cheonjin stream) and a southern group (Yangyangnamdae stream to Gangneungnamdae stream). Given that the streams flowing into the East Sea are geographically isolated water systems, such separation of genotypes can be interpreted by the geographical separation of common ancestors into north and south that had colonized South Korea. Since the initial geographical separation of the ancestral population by north and south, the ancestral groups seem to have experienced further differentiation into the current genetic clusters through the physical isolation of streams by the East Sea in each region. It is notable that many individuals in the Jasan stream formed a genetic cluster with those of Yangyangnamdae and Gangneungnamdae streams which are distant from each other. In addition, mitochondrial gene showed low genetic differentiation between some neighboring populations and very low level of genetic diversity in several populations. The present population genetic study will provide valuable information for the conservation and management of the Korean endemic fish species, I. paicifica.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2014

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae) is one of the most abundant plants on Mt. Halla, Jeju Island, and it has long been used in traditional medicines. Recent studies have reported it as possessing various beneficial functions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertension, anti-gastritis, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of S. quelpaertensis on human colon cancer HT-29 cells. Cell growth inhibition by S. quelpaertensis was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was performed by DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining (PI), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm the anti-apoptotic factors, such as inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family members. $NO^{\bullet}$ production was determined by Griess assay. S. quelpaertensis treatment resulted in the time- and dose-dependent inhibition of the cell viability of HT-29 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the accumulation of the sub-G1 cell population stained by PI, as well as the ladder-like DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. S. quelpaertensis-inducing apoptosis was accompanied by the induction of S cell cycle arrests, increasing $NO^{\bullet}$ concentrations, and the down-regulation of IAPs, including X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), cellular IAP-1 (cIAP-1), cIAP-2, and survivin. Taken together, these findings have important implications for future clinical developments of S. quelpaertensis in colon cancer treatment.