• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.278-281
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• 2012

Comparative sequence analyses were conducted on complete mtDNA sequences from four small mammal species in Korea and revealed the presence of 30 well conserved sequences in various regions of the complete mtDNA sequences. The conserved sequences were found in 9 regions in protein coding genes, 10 regions in tRNA genes, 10 in rRNA genes, one region in replication origin and 2 regions in D loop. They could be used to design primers for amplifying complete mtDNA sequences of small mammals.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2016

Serosurveillance for zoonotic diseases in small mammals and detection of chiggers, the vector of Orientia tsutsugamushi, were conducted from September 2014 to August 2015 in Gwangju Metropolitan Area. Apodemus agrarius was the most commonly collected small mammals (158; 91.8%), followed by Myodes regulus (8; 4.6%), and Crocidura lasiura (6; 3.5%). The highest seroprevalence of small mammals for O. tsutsugamushi (41; 26.3%) was followed by hantaviruses (24; 15.4%), Rickettsia spp. (22; 14.1%), and Leptospira (2; 1.3%). A total of 3,194 chiggers were collected from small mammals, and 1,236 of 3,194 chiggers were identified with 7 species of 3 genera: Leptotrombidium scutellare was the most commonly collected species (585; 47.3%), followed by L. orientale (422; 34.1%), Euchoengastia koreaensis (99; 8.0%), L. palpale (58; 4.7%), L. pallidum (36; 2.9%), Neotrombicula gardellai (28; 2.3%), and L. zetum (8; 0.6%). L. scutellare was the predominant species. Three of 1,236 chigger mites were positive for O. tsutsugamushi by PCR. As a result of phylogenetic analysis, the O. tsutsugamushi strain of chigger mites had sequence homology of 90.1-98.2% with Boryong. This study provides baseline data on the distribution of zoonotic diseases and potential vectors for the development of prevention strategies of vector borne diseases in Gwangju metropolitan area.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.135-139
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• 2015

A total of 1,708 small mammals (1,617 rodents and 91 soricomorphs), including Apodemus agrarius (n = 1,400), Microtus fortis (167), Crocidura lasiura (91), Mus musculus (32), Myodes (= Eothenomys) regulus (9), Micromys minutus (6), and Tscherskia (= Cricetulus) triton (3), were live-trapped at US/Republic of Korea (ROK) military training sites near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of Paju, Pocheon, and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province from December 2004 to December 2009. Small mammals were examined for their intestinal nematodes by necropsy. A total of 1,617 rodents (100%) and 91 (100%) soricomorphs were infected with at least 1 nematode species, including Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia obvelata, Heterakis spumosa, Protospirura muris, Capillaria spp., Trichuris muris, Rictularia affinis, and an unidentified species. N. brasiliensis was the most common species infecting small mammals (1,060; 62.1%) followed by H. polygyrus (617; 36.1%), S. obvelata (370; 21.7%), H. spumosa (314; 18.4%), P. muris (123; 7.2%), and Capillaria spp. (59; 3.5%). Low infection rates (0.1-0.8%) were observed for T. muris, R. affinis, and an unidentified species. The number of recovered worms was highest for N. brasiliensis (21,623 worms; mean 20.4 worms/infected specimen) followed by S. obvelata (9,235; 25.0 worms), H. polygyrus (4,122; 6.7 worms), and H. spumosa (1,160; 3.7 worms). A. agrarius demonstrated the highest prevalence for N. brasiliensis (70.9%), followed by M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (33.3%), M. fortis (28.1%), M. musculus (15.6%), C. lasiura (13.2%), and M. regulus (0%). This is the first report of nematode infections in small mammals captured near the DMZ in ROK.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.88 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 1999

This study was conducted to clarify the differences in small mammal populations due to habitat structure caused by different forest practices within natural deciduous forests at National Forest, Pyoungchang, Kangwon Province, Korea from May to November, 1996. Three sites, 1ha each, were selected as cutting, thinning, and control for live trapping of small mammals. Total captures of small mammals in all sites were combined Apodemus peninsulae(45.1%, n=64) and Eothenomys regulus(54.9%, n=78). A. peninsulae was captured in the cutting and the control site. And E. regulus was captured in the thinning and the control site. The number of captured small mammals in a month were the highest in the control site and the lowest in the cutting site. A. peninsulae's mean body weight of adult individuals was more higher in the control site than in the cutting site. And E. regulus's mean body weight of adult individuals was more higher in the control site than in the thinning site. Habitat structure seems to be an important factor in abundance and species composition of small mammals.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• no.spc9
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• pp.73-79
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• 2016

In the present study, to explore the current status of mammals that inhabit Jindo Island, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, a survey was conducted from July 6 to July 9, 2016. Using several survey methods, such as Sherman's live trap, footprint, caves, excretions, and road-kill investigations, the mammals observed on Jindo Island were found to be from 5 orders and 9 families, including 12 species in total. Among them, three species of small mammals were Mogera wogura, Crocidura shantungensis, and Apodemus agrarius. Additionally, two legally protected species were found through excretion observations. Lutra lutra and Prionailurus bengalensis, which were designated to endangered wild animal classes I and II, respectively. The survey results can be used as a valuable resource for identifying the distribution and habitat status of mammals in the Jindo-gun area, as well as for building a database for ecosystem preservation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.327-331
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• 2012

Monthly surveys were conducted to investigate the occurrence of chigger mites and seroprevalence of scrub typhus among small mammals in Jeollanam-do, the southwestern part of Korea, from November 2006 through October 2007. Fifty-eight small mammals, including 57 Apodemus agrarius (98.3%) and 1 Crocidura lasiura (1.7%), were captured, and a total of 4,675 chigger mites representing 4 genera and 8 species were collected from them. The chigger infestation rate among small mammals was 69.0%. The most predominant species in A. agrarius was Leptotrombidium scutellare (54.0%), followed by Leptotrombidium pallidum (39.4%), Leptotrombidium orientale (4.4%), Leptotrombidium palpale (1.1%), Neotrombicula tamiyai (0.6%), Eushoengastia koreaensis (0.3%), Neotrombicula gardellai (0.3%), and Cheladonta ikaoensis (<0.1%). The chigger index of A. agrarius was the highest in October (740.0), followed by November (242.0), September (134.6), March (98.3), February (38.2), January (35.3), December (34.5), April (30.8), and May (1.7). The average antibody positive rate of scrub typhus in wild rodents was 50.0%. The seropositive rates were high in October (100.0%) and November (83.3%), whereas those in other months were relatively low (28.6-57.1%). The chigger index of L. scutellare rapidly increased in September to form an acuminate peak in October, followed by a gradual decline. These results suggest that the outbreak of scrub typhus in the southwestern part of Korean peninsula is mostly due to L. scutellare.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2007

In order to find out the current situation of the fauna of the mammals which inhabit Hallasan National Park, the areas of Seongpanak, Eorimok, Gwaneumsa, Yeongsil and Donnaeko were surveyed. The survey was conducted from April 2006 to January 2007 The analysis of geographical distribution revealed that there are 15 species of mammals, which belong to eight families and five orders, in which Apodemus chejuensis, Carpreolus pygargus tianschanicns, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Tamias sibiriricus barberi were found to be dominant species. It was also found that there exists the fauna of mammals in Mt. Halla such as Mustela sibirica quelpartis, Crocidura dsinezmi quelpartis, Micromys minutus hertigi and Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus, showing a bio-geological attribute that territorial population of taxologically geographical subspecies class exists. The fauna of the mammals in Jeju Island is rather simpler in its species composition in comparison with the inland of the Korean Peninsula ever since Jeju Island's geographical isolation from the mainland, mainly consisting of Chiroptera and small rodents.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to provide a database for the reduction of road-kills in the Odaesan National Park. To accomplish this task, investigations were conducted on the road-kills that occurred in the period from 2003 to 2007. The results of investigations are as follows: 427 road-kill cases were reported during the period, and the road-kill victims turned out to be mostly small mammals. Among mammals and reptiles the road-kill occurrence rate of squirrels and garters was higher than that of other species, and in the case of birds, the road-kill occurrence rate of yellow-throated bunting was the highest. The road-kill accidents of mammals and reptiles took place more frequently during the summer and autumn, while those of birds during the spring and summer. The increase of road-kill occurrence rate was found to be related to the activity and breeding period of wild animals, as well as to the increase of vehicles. The occurrence rate of road-kills was also found to be influenced by the type of land use on the roadside. Furthermore, the occurrence rate increased significantly when the roads passed through dry fields.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.310-313
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• 2008

C. perfringens is the most important enteric clostridial pathogen of animals. C. perfringens type A has been associated with hemorrhagic enteritis in a wide lange of domestic and wild mammals. But all types of C. perfringens can be normal inhabitants of the intestine of most mammals. We have a special case that showed C. perfringens type A infection in a hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) cub at Seoul Grand Park Zoo. Male, hippopotamus cub died in 3 days after birth. Clinical features of the hippopotamus cub have showed lethargy and anorexia before death. Gross post-mortem findings of the hippopotamus were hemorrhagic enteritis of intestine. Histopathologically, ruminant stomach and intestine showed hemorrhagic lesions and the lumen of the small intestine was filled with mucoid and hemorrhagic fluid. Also, intestine and stomach of hippopotamus were distended with gas and hemorrhagic fluid. C. perfringens was isolated in culture of small intestine and the presence of C. perfringens type A was confirmed by PCR. This case indicated that C. perfringens type A could be considered as a virulence factor responsible for causing death of a newborn hippopotamus.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 2012

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is generally considered dead woody material in various stages of forest decomposition and has been hypothesized to be an important habitat feature for mammals in forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA. Sherman and pitfall trapping were conducted for 2 years on three paired sites with low and high amounts of CWD. Deer mice was the dominant species with a total capture of 605 (45.6%). Four species of insectivores were captured, including Sorex moncicolus, S. trowbridgii, S. vagrans, and Neurotrichus gibbsii. A Poisson regression model was used to test whether 11 CWD variables could predict insectivore captures. The volume of logs and mean decay were important variables for deer mice use of CWD. Mean distance from pieces of CWD to the capture point was significantly related to the total number of captures of trowbridge shrew (Sorex trowbridgii) and all insectivore species. Vagrant shrews (Sorex vagrans) were significantly associated with log volume. Retaining large size CWD should be part of a management plan for ground-dwelling insectivores in forests to secure their biodiversity.