• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.spc
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• pp.74-82
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• 2014

A perennial plant species of Ranunculaceae, Pulsatilla tongkangensis is a very rare species only found in limestone vegetation of South Korea. It is not only rare but also has great value as a horticultural resource, thus resulting in serious problems of overexploitation and habitat disturbance. For the conservation of the rare species and its development as a resource, the study was conducted with the following three aims: first, to investigate any new geographical distribution of the species; second, to identify the site condition and vegetation structure of its habitat; and third, to compare the ecology of P. tongkangensis in other microhabitats such as rock, slope and ridge area. A new distribution was found in limestone vegetation at Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. It was, therefore, confirmed that the distribution of P. tongkangensis exactly coincides with the area of distribution of limestone, indicating a possibility that the species might be a calcicole. 87% of the microhabitats found in rocks. Compared to P. tongkangensis, at ridges or slopes, number of P. tongkangensis plants were few in rocks. It is possibly due to the lack of microhabitats that could settle in rocky areas. Once established on rocks, however, plants grew large enough to flower with higher number of leaves and flowers per plant, resulting in higher flowering rate on rocky areas. Cracks in/between rocks are likely to be safe places for the plants with favorable light conditions, abundant fine particles to root down and reduced competition for resources. Yet, further research is necessary in terms of determining whether the species is indeed a calcicole, whether other limiting factors work in its establishment stage, and genetic diversity exists in the population.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.557-566
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• 2022

The Japanese eel Anguilla japonica is a highly valued research object that is important for aquaculture in Asia, including the Republic of Korea. However, few studies have been conducted analyzing parentage using microsatellite markers derived from the Japanese eel. We acquired Japanese eel genome data using next generation sequencing technology, and constructed a draft genome comprising 1,087 Mbp. Using the Simple Sequence Repeat Identification Tool program, 444,724 microsatellites were identified. Of these, 1,842 microsatellites located in the 3' untranslated region, which are stably inherited, were finally selected. Ninety-six primers were selected to validate polymorphism at these microsatellites, and 9 primers were finally identified for multiplex analysis. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction with three different fluorescence chemistries, we performed parentage analysis of an artificial Japanese eel population. CERVUS software was used to calculate the logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores and the confidence of the parentage assignments. The results presented here show that 83 out of 85 paternity cases were assigned at 95% confidence to a candidate father and mother with LOD scores ranging from 4.79 to 28.2. This study provided a microsatellite marker-based assay for parentage analysis of Japanese eels, which will be useful for selective breeding and genetic diversity studies.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.316-335
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• 2021

This study reviewed the change of theory of ecological niche(concepts and definitions) over time to provide a theoretical basis for habitat-related studies of animals and plants. Accordingly, it analyzed and summarized the major discussion trends of ecological niche worldwide in each period from the 1900s to the present. Countries advanced in ecological studies, such as the EU and the USA, have conducted theoretical and empirical studies on the ecological niche since the early 1990s. The concept of the ecological niche was introduced in the early 1900s, developed in the mid-1900s, and advanced from the mid-1900s to the late 1900s. Since the 2000s, the advanced concept has diversified with new developments in technologies and research methods. The factors suggested by theoretical and empirical studies in defining the ecological niche of a species include 1) population dynamics of the target species, 2) all biotic conditions to sustain a population (food relationship and material flow in the food chain), 3) all non-biotic conditions to sustain a population (physical environmental conditions), 4) all direct and indirect interactions between these environmental factors, and 5) response and adaptation mechanisms that include the migratory ability of the target species or genetic diversity and adaptability to change. Unlike such international advancement, there have not been sufficient theoretical, philosophical, and empirical studies of ecological niche in Korea. The concepts and definitions by Greennell, Elton, and Hutchinson were selectively and partially borrowed for empirical studies without full description. Considering that the theory of ecological niche becomes the foundation for habitat-based species conservation and restoration, it is necessary to seek diversification and advancement of theoretical and empirical research and research methods and technological development. It will provide an important foundation for the academic advancement of ecology and for establishing and implementing policies to preserve and restore ecology and biodiversity effectively and successfully in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.66-80
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• 2011

This study investigated the environmental factors and conducted a RAPD analysis for a better understanding of the environmental characteristics and regional genetic variation in samples from 18 different areas of Viola diamantiaca. The habitats are mostly located on the slopes of mountains facing north at an altitude ranging from 614 m to 1,462 m above sea level with angles of inclination ranging from 3 degrees to 30 degrees. A total of 268 vascular plant taxa are identified in 35 quadrates of 18 habitats. The importance value of V. diamantiaca is 11.58%, and four highly ranked species, Sasa borealis (5.61%), Meehania urticifolia (5.21%), Ainsliaea acerifolia (3.62%), Pseudostellaria palibiniana (3.60%) are considered to have an affinity with V. diamantiaca in their habitats. The degree of their average species diversity is 1.36, while this metric for their evenness and dominance are 0.89 and 0.07, respectively. The average field capacity of the soil is 25.99%, with organic matter at 17.47%, and the pH is 5.19. The soil texture was confirmed as sandy loam of eleven and loam of seven. The result of the RAPD analysis, among 78 bands amplified with a primer, 64 (84.6%) showed polymorphism. Eighteen populations could be classified into five groups with similarity coefficient values ranging from 0.53 to 0.86. The Mt. Jiri population, which is geographically segregated, shows basal branching within the 18 populations. Five populations, including two in the southern district in Gangwon-do and three in Chungcheongbuk-do, form a distinct clade. Four populations in the central district of Gangwon-do and Mt. Bohyeon in the Gyeongsangbuk-do clade form a sister to the clade containing two populations in Gyeonggi-do and five populations of the northern district in Gangwon-do. The Mt. Gariwang population is placed between the southern district and the central district in the Gangwon-do clades.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.203-216
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• 2016

Probiotic microorganisms are thought to provide health benefits when consumed. In 2001, the World Health Organization defined probiotics as "live microorganisms which confer a health benefit on the host, when administered in adequate amounts." Three methods for screening potential probiotics have currently widely available. (1) In vitro assays of potential probiotics are preferred because of their simplicity and low cost. (2) The use of in vivo approaches for exploring various potential probiotics reflects the enormous diversity in biological models with various complex mechanisms. (3) Potential probiotics have been analyzed using several genetic and omics technologies to identify gene expression or protein production patterns under various conditions. However, there is no ideal procedure for selecting potential probiotics than testing cadidate strains on the target population. Hence, in this review, we provide an overview of the different methodologies used to identify new probiotic strains. Furthermore, we describe futre perspectives for the use of in vitro, in vivo and omics in probiotic research.