• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2019

DNA metabarcoding is currently used for large-scale taxonomic identification to understand the community composition in various marine ecosystems. However, before being widely used in this emerging field, this experimental and analytic approach still has several technical challenges to overcome, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) bias, and lack of well-established metabarcoding markers, a task which is difficult but not impossible to achieve. In this study, we present an adapted PCR-free small-organelles enriched metagenomics (SoEM) method for marine biodiversity assessment. To avoid PCR bias and random artefacts, we extracted target DNA sequences without PCR amplification from marine environmental samples enriched with small organelles including mitochondria and plastids because their genome sequences provide a valuable source of molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis. To experimentally enrich small organelles, we performed subcellular fractionation using modified differential centrifugation for marine environmental DNA samples. To validate our SoEM method, two marine environmental samples from the coastal waters were tested the taxonomic capturing capacity against that of traditional DNA metabarcoding method. Results showed that, regardless of taxonomic levels, at least 3-fold greater numbers of taxa were identified in our SoEM method, compared to those identified by the conventional multi-locus DNA metabarcoding method. The SoEM method is thus effective and accurate for identifying taxonomic diversity and presents a useful alternative approach for evaluating biodiversity in the marine environment.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2021

South Korea presently harbors less than 800 long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus), an endangered species. I report for the first time on the taxonomic status and genetic diversity of the Korean species using non-invasive fecal sampling based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence analyses. To determine the taxonomic status of this species, I reconstructed a consensus neighbor-joining tree and generated a minimum spanning network combining haplotype sequences obtained from feces with a new goral-specific primer set developed using known sequences of the Korean goral and related species (e.g., Russian goral, Chinese goral, Himalayan goral, Japanese serow, etc.). I also examined the genetic diversity of this species. The Korean goral showed only three different haplotypes. The phylogenetic tree and parsimony haplotype network revealed a single cluster of Korean and Russian gorals, separate from related species. Generally, the Korean goral has a relatively low genetic diversity compared with that of other ungulate species (e.g., moose and red deer). I preliminarily showcased the application of non-invasive fecal sampling to the study of genetic characteristics, including the taxonomic status and genetic diversity of gorals, based on mitochondrial DNA. More phylogenetic studies are necessary to ensure the conservation of goral populations throughout South Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2024

Background: This study focused on the diet of Clithon retropictum, level II endangered species in Korea. Since the development of brackish water zones has led to a decline in the population of this species, to obtain information on the ecology of C. retropictum required for its conservation and restoration. To investigate the actual preys of C. retropictum in south coast of Korea, we conducted high-throughput sequencing and metabarcoding techniques to extract DNA from gut contents and periphyton in their habitats. Results: Total 118 taxonomic groups were detected from periphyton samples. 116 were Chromista and Cyanobacteria dominated in the most samples. In gut contents samples, 98 taxonomic groups were detected. Similar to the results of periphyton, 96 were Chromista and Cyanobacteria dominated in the most samples. In the principal component analysis based on the presence/absence of taxonomic groups, gut content composition showed more clustered patterns corresponding to their habitats. Bryophyta was the most crucial taxonomic group explaining the difference between periphyton and gut contents compositions of C. retropictum. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that C. retropictum may not randomly consume epilithic algae but instead, likely to supplement their diet with Bryophyta.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.60-77
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• 2020

Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) consists of six subfamilies, which are divided into three groups according to larval ecological habits (phytophagous, mycophagous, and zoophagous). The five basal subfamilies of Cecidomyiidae consist entirely of mycophagous species, with approximately 1500 species described worldwide and 29 previously known to occur in Korea. In this study, 37 named species (1 Lestremiinae, 29 Micromyinae, 4 Winnertziinae, and 3 Porricondylinae species) are newly reported from South Korea. We excluded Lestremia yasukunii Shinji from the list of Korean mycophagous cecidomyiids as it is a nomen nudum. Therefore, we herein officially recognize 65 species, 30 genera, and four subfamilies for the Korean mycophagous cecidomyiid fauna. We also provide diagnoses and photographs to aid species identification and discussion on the four years of gall midge taxonomic inventory in South Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 1996

Restriction-polymorphic patterns of nuclear-ITS were examined for the genetic relationships among 12 bisidiomycetous mushrooms to Aphyllophorales and Agaricales. The taxonomic affinity of Ganoderma species with the family Polyporaceae also was examined. With 13 restriction endonucleases, 159 restriction characters were generated form the 12 species examined. UPGMA and neighbor-joining analyses separated the 12 species into two genetically distinct groups that correspond to orders (Agaricales and Aphyllophorales) where each species is included. This result indicates that there is clear genetic demarcation between Agaricales and Aphyllophorales. Dendrograms constructed by several data analyses showed that even though Ganoderma species are somewhat in intermediate taxonomic position between the Polyporaceae and families of the Agaricales, they are genetically more related to the Polyporaceae. These results are consistent with morphological characters observed in those mushrooms. However, it is premature to conclude taxonomic status Ganoderma species in the present study employing small sample size.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.288-323
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• 2020

A revised checklist of Korean Trichoptera is provided for the species recorded from the Korean Peninsula, including both North and South Korea. The checklist includes bibliographic research as well as results after reexamination of some specimens. For each species, we provide the taxonomic literature that examined Korean Trichoptera materials or mentioned significant taxonomic treatments regarding to Korean species. We also provide the records of unnamed species based on larval identification for further study. Based on taxonomic considerations, 20 species among the previously known nominal species in Korea are deleted or synonymized, and three species omitted from the previous lists, Hydropsyche athene Malicky and Chantaramongkol, 2000, H. simulata Mosely, 1942 and Helicopsyche coreana Mey, 1991 are newly added to the checklist. Hydropsyche formosana Ulmer, 1911 is recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time by the identification of Hydropsyche KD. In addition, we recognized 14 species of larvae separated with only tentative alphabetic designations. As a result, this new Korean Trichoptera checklist includes 218 currently recognized species in 66 genera and 25 families from the Korean Peninsula.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2015

The taxonomic study of the genus Myzia Mulsant, 1846 in Korea is presented. The genus Myzia contains five species worldwide and two species currently recognized in Palaearctic region. Until now, only M. oblongoguttata (Linnaeus, 1758) has been known in Korea, but we found M. gebleri (Crotch, 1874) for the first time in Korea. We redescribed these two Korean species of the genus Myzia with photographs of the habitus and detailed illustrations of their aedeagus and other appendages. A taxonomic key to the species of Korean Myzia beetles are also provided.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.207-209
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• 1987

A systematic mosquito taxonomic study in Korea was established by Lee in 1971. Since then, many species have been recorded as new to Korea. However, much of this taxonomic information has been distributed in a number of scientific publications. This fork attempts to combine this information into a single document, as well as to synthesize revised taxonomic synonyms of species cccurring in Korea. Four species, Culex vora.x, Culex kangi, Aedes kobayashii and Culiseta kanayamensis listed in our previous paper, are synonyms of Culex kalifaxii, Cutex jackseni, Aedes alehtorowi and Culiseta bergrothi, respectively. Culex annulus is a misidentified species of Culex pseudovishnui. The subspecies Cutes pipiens quinquefassiatus and subgenus Manscnia (Ccquillettidia) were treated as full species and genus respectively in a catalog of the mosquitoes of the world. However, not all current authors agree to those specific and generic treatment. Based on available publications the total number of mosquito species recorded in Korea is now 52 representing 9 genera. Forty-five of these 52 are confirmed species with preserved specimen representation. As collection of specimen continues, there is a possibility that representative of 7 unconfirmed species will be found. 1 hope this paper will provide useful information for entomology workers who are interested in mosquito taxonomy in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.363-371
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• 2021

Vicia bifolia Nakai (Fabaceae) and Cyperus compressus L. (Cyperaceae) have been ambiguous in terms of their distribution and taxonomic entities in Korea. The existence of these two taxa was confirmed when V. bifolia and C. compressus was found on Jellabuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju-do. Vicia bifolia is similar to V. unijuga by having a pair of leaflets but is distinguished by the length of the petiole, the size and degree of longevity of the bracts, and the shape of the stipules. Cyperus compressus was found on Jeju-do, is similar to C. tenuispica, C. haspan, and C. flaccidus, but is distinguished by the branching pattern of the inflorescences and the size of scales and achenes. A description, differences from related species, a key to the taxa and photographs of Korean Vicia bifolia and Cyperus compressus are provided in this study.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2020

Aconitum kaimaense Uyeki & Sakata was first collected by Uyeki & Sakata at Bujeon Plateau in Hamgyongnam-do and reported as a new species and recorded in Enumeration of Korean Plants (Pak, 1949). A. kaimaense was taxonomically treated under the name of Aconitum jaluense Kom in A Revision of Aconitun Subgenus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) of East asia. (Kadota, 1987), and it was also treated as synonym in Korea(1996, 2007, 2011). A. kaimaense has erect or apically slightly curved stem, dense corymb inflorescence, pubescent pedicels, yellowish white sepals and carpels 5(or 4) pubescent. In this study, to investigate the taxonomic location of A. kaimaense, we conducted literature observation, sample observations in KYO, TNS, KH, SNU, SKK, and field research in Korea. The distribution in Hongcheon, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, and Yangyang of Gangwon-do was confimed.