• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

The Scarites aterrimus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) dwells exclusively on coastal sandy dunes. Previously, we investigated the nation-wide magnitude and nature of genetic diversity of the species using mitochondrial COI gene and found moderate to low magnitude of sequence diversity, the presence of closely related haplotypes, and relatively high gene flow estimate. Based on these observations we concluded that the species had no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision and possible population decline. In this study, we additionally sequenced mitochondrial COII gene from 23 individuals collected from 9 Korean localities to confirm previous findings. Sequencing of 688 bp COII gene provided 5 haplotypes ranging in sequence divergence from 0.145% to 0.291% (1 ~ 2 bp), further confirming low sequence divergence of the species. Gene flow estimates and genetic diversity estimates also support the previous findings that there had been no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

In this study, we aimed to quantify the population size and spatial distribution of three predatory Scarites species in coastal sand dunes. In June and August 2014, 252 pitfall traps were utilized to conduct a trapping web analysis at three distinct sites with varying vegetation dominance values. Scarites sulcatus had the largest estimated population in a 10 m² area with a habitat density of 36.6 in a Vitex rotundifolia community area (site B) in the June survey. In contrast, Scarites aterrimus had the largest population size with a habitat density of 2.9 in a Calystegia soldanella community area (site A) in the August survey. Spatial distribution analysis revealed that S. sulcatus dominated the Vitex rotundifolia community without preference for a particular site, whereas S. aterrimus and Scarites terricola pacificus were primarily observed on the beach. The results indicated that the three Scarites species in the Sohwang coastal sand dune region exhibited differences in their spatial and temporal distributions in the coastal dune ecosystem in order to avoid competition and predation. In conclusion, our findings can be utilized to estimate the population density of the genus Scarites on the Korean Peninsula. The outcomes of this study will contribute to estimating insect population densities on the Korean Peninsula and developing investigative assessment methodologies.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2011

The Scarites aterrimus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), is one of the carabid beetles dwelling exclusively on coastal sandy dunes. Habitat deterioration and equivalent activity have greatly concerned population declines in several species dwelling on the coastal sandy dunes. As a first step to establish long-term conservation strategy, we investigated the nation-wide magnitude and nature of genetic diversity of the species. As a first step, we sequenced a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, corresponding to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) from a total of 24 S. aterrimus individuals collected over nine sandy dunes belonging to four Korean provinces. The sequence analysis evidenced moderate to low magnitude of sequence diversity compared with other insect species distributed in Korean peninsula (0.152% to 0.912%). The presence of closely related haplotypes and relatively high gene flow estimate collectively suggest that there had been no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision. Population decline was postulated on the basis of several missing haplotypes that are well found in the species with a large population size. This interpretation is consistent with field observation of small population size in the coastal sandy dune habitats. The highest genetic diversity estimates were found in the coastal sand dune population of Seogwipo, Jeju Island, justifying a prior attention to the population, in order to sustain overall genetic diversity of the species. Further scrutinized study might be required for further robust conclusion.