• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.103-119
• /
• 2016

This study aims to assess habitat feature on the large-scale spawning ground of the Boreal Digging Frog Kaloula borealis in Daemyung retarding basin of Daegu, and to analyze the relationships between species abundance and meteorological factors for each habitat. Fifty-seven(57) pitfalls were installed to collect species abundance of 4 survey regions, and high-resolution satellite image, soil sampling equipment, digital topographic map, and GPS were used to develop habitat features such as terrain, soil, vegetation, human disturbance. The analysis shows that the frog is most abundant in sloped region with densely herbaceous cover in southern part of the retarding basin. In the breeding season, lowland regions, where Phragmites communis and P. japonica dominant wetlands and temporary ponds distributed, are heavily concentrated by the species for spawning and foraging. Located in between legally protected Dalsung wetands and lowland regions of the retarding basin, riverine natural levee is ecologically important area as core habitat for Kaloula borealis, and high number of individuals were detected both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Temperate- and pressure-related meteorological elements are selected as statistically significant variables in species abundance of non-breeding season in lowland and highland regions. However, in sloped regions, only a few variables are statistically significant during non-breeding season. Moreover, breeding activities in sloped regions are statistically significant with minimum temperature, grass minimum temperature, dew point temperature, and vapor pressure. Significant meteorological factors with habitat features are effectively applied to establish species conservation strategy of the retarding basin and to construct for avoiding massive road-kills on neighboring roads of the study sites, particularly post-breeding movements from spawning to burrowing areas.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2020

Our study was conducted to examine the nest attendance of the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) from 2015 to 2018 at two Islets located in Incheon, South Korea. We visited study sites in March-April and set up the remote sensor cameras at two breeding sites (Mae-do, Guji-do) to observe chick-rearing behavior. Mean nest bout length at Mae-do (female: 4.2 ± 0.1 hr, male: 4.0 ± 0.1 hr) was shorter than at Guji-do (female: 5.3 ± 0.2, male: 6.0 ± 0.3 hr), and trip duration at Mae-do (female: 4.4 ± 0.1 hr, male: 4.0 ± 0.1) was also shorter than at Guji-do (female: 7.0 ± 0.2 hr, male: 7.0 ± 0.3). Mean nest bout length and trip duration at both study sites decreased as chick rearing progressed. Males attended their nests during the daytime, and females attended their nests during the nighttime. Our results showed that females and males' duties were divided by the diel cycle, but the pattern of nest attendance could change depending on the environment of their breeding sites during the chick-rearing period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.219-229
• /
• 2020

Objective: Considering the physiological and clinical importance of leptin receptor (LEPR) in regulating obesity and the fact that porcine LEPR expression is not known to be controlled by lncRNAs and miRNAs, we aim to characterize this gene as a potential target of SSC-miR-323 and the lncRNA TCONS_00010987. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses revealed that lncRNA TCONS_00010987 and LEPR have SSC-miR-323-binding sites and that LEPR might be a target of lncRNA TCONS_00010987 based on cis prediction. Wild-type and mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence fragments and wild-type and mutant LEPR 3'-UTR fragments were generated and cloned into pmiRRB-REPORT^TM-Control vectors to construct respective recombinant plasmids. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the SSC-miR-323 mimics or a negative control with constructs harboring the corresponding binding sites and relative luciferase activities were determined. Tissue expression patterns of lncRNA TCONS_00010987, SSC-miR-323, and LEPR in Anqing six-end-white (AQ, the obese breed) and Large White (LW, the lean breed) pigs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; backfat expression of LEPR protein was detected by western blotting. Results: Target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the four recombinant vectors were constructed. Compared to the negative control, SSC-miR-323 mimics significantly inhibited luciferase activity from the wild-type TCONS_00010987-target sequence and wild-type LEPR-3'-UTR (p<0.01 for both) but not from the mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence and mutant LEPR-3'-UTR (p>0.05 for both). Backfat expression levels of TCONS_00010987 and LEPR in AQ pigs were significantly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01), whereas levels of SSC-miR-323 in AQ pigs were significantly lower than those in LW pigs (p<0.05). LEPR protein levels in the backfat tissues of AQ pigs were markedly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01). Conclusion: LEPR is a potential target of SSC-miR-323, and TCONS_00010987 might act as a sponge for SSC-miR-323 to regulate LEPR expression.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.85-92
• /
• 2012

This research was executed to analyze the problems of Korean type of 'Light-weight' Greening that has been applied similarly by the type of 'Intensive Greening,' and to suggest the better way. To achieve this purpose, we compared and analyzed the theory about the definition of Korean type of Roof Greening and the type of Greening of FLL. And we researched documents and fields of 18 sites of Seoul City that applied the type of 'Light-weigh' Greening, and produced improvement issues and directions. To resolve the confusion of the type definition and site application, arising from considering 'weight of greening' as the main viewpoint to classify the type of Greening, we have to change the term 'Light-weight' with more suitable for contents-based definitions. According to a 'Light-weight' Greening field survey, only 5 among 18 sites are suitable for Extensive Greening and the rest sites show the character of Intensive Greening. Korean concept of 'Light-weight' Greening corresponds with the definition of 'Weight of Greening', but has a problem that does not correspond with the viewpoint of 'Maintenance of Greening'. This problem comes from the fact that the surveyed Light-weight(extensive) Greening sites are designed and executed for use. Therefore, Extensive Greening is proper to be applied for sites, excluded from use. 5 sites, determined suitable for Extensive Greening, adopts 'Sedum-herbaceous Planting' or 'Sedum-grasses Planting' forms of Greening, based on Sedum. So, it has to precede with selecting and breeding plants for developing various forms of Greening, suitable for Extensive Greening including 'Grasses-herbaceous Planting.'

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.8
• /
• pp.1141-1149
• /
• 2018

Objective: Cluster of differentiation 4 protein (CD4) gene is an important immune related gene which plays a significant role in T cell development and host resistance during viral infection. Methods: In order to unravel the relationship of CpG island methylation level of CD4 gene with its gene expression and T lymphocyte subpopulation traits, we used one typical Chinese indigenous breed (Dapulian, DP) and one commercial breed (Landrace), then predicted the CpG island of CD4 gene, determined the methylation status of CpG sites by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP), and carried out the correlation analyses of methylation frequencies of CpG sites with mRNA expression and T lymphocyte subpopulation traits. Results: There was one CpG island predicted in the upstream -2 kb region and exon one of porcine CD4 gene, which located 333 bp upstream from the start site of gene and contained nine CpG sites. The correlation analysis results indicated that the methylation frequency of CpG_2 significantly correlated with CD4 mRNA expression in the DP and Landrace combined population, though it did not reach significance level in DP and Landrace separately. Additionally, 15 potential binding transcription factors (TFs) were predicted within the CpG island, and one of them (Jumonji) contained CpG_2 site, suggesting that it may influence the CD4 gene expression through the potential binding TFs. We also found methylation frequency of CpG_2 negatively correlated with T lymphocyte subpopulation traits CD4+CD8-CD3-, CD4-CD8+CD3- and CD4+/CD8+, and positively correlated with CD4-CD8+CD3+ and CD4+CD8+CD3+ (for all correlation, p<0.01) in DP and Landrace combined population. Thus, the CpG_2 was a critical methylation site for porcine CD4 gene expression and T lymphocyte subpopulation traits. Conclusion: We speculated that increased methylation frequency of CpG_2 may lead to the decreased expression of CD4, which may have some kind of influence on T lymphocyte subpopulation traits and the immunity of DP population.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.72.1-72
• /
• 2003

Generally, plants defend themselves against pathogens by structural and biochemical reactions. Defense structures act as physical barriers and inhibit the pathogen from gaining entrance and spreading through the plant. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv glycines, the causal pathogen of bacterial pustule of soybean, causes hypersensitive response (HR). When pepper fruits were inoculated with X. axonopodis pv. glycines, in situ, time-series defense-related structural changes occurred in the inoculated sites. Early responses were programmed cell death (PCD), characterized by condensation and vacuolization of the cytoplasm, condensation of nuclear materials, and fragmentation of the nuclear DNA, which were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Nuclear fragmentation was proven by TUNEL method under confocal laser scanning microscopy and DNA laddering through eletrophoresis. At later stages, plant responses were cell elongation and cell division, forming a periderm-like boundary layer that demarcated healthy tissues from the inoculation sites. Using several stains such as toluidine blue, sudan IV, annexin V, and phloroglucinol-HCl, defense-related materials and structural changes were also examined.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.134-142
• /
• 2017

Nando Island is reported as one of the biggest breeding colonies of seabirds in South Korea, and is protected as a Natural Monument. This study was conducted between July to November 2015, to investigate the breeding population of Black-tailed gulls and their habitat on Nando Island. We estimated the breeding population of Black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) using nest density. The mean nest density of Black-tailed gulls was $0.51\;per\;1m^2$ ($0.51m^{-2}$), and the breeding population was approximately 26,760 individuals. The dominant vegetation was Echinochloa crusgalli and Agropyron tsukushiense var. transiens, which served as shelter and nest sites to Black-tailed gulls. The diet of Black-tailed gulls was mainly the fish, Japanese Anchovy Engraulis japonicas (48%). Other species which were found to breed on Nando Island were Streaked Sheawater (Calonectris leucomelas), Temminck's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capillatus), and Swinhoe's storm petrels(Oceanodroma monorhis).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.876-883
• /
• 2012

In order to analyze the meteorological factors influencing breeding activities of the Kaloula borealis, spawning sites which are located in Daejung-Eub, Jeju Island were investigated for 4 years from 2008 to 2011. The factors for analysis were rainfall, humidity, temperature, barometric pressure and wind speed. Comparative analysis were done on the spawning activities on rainy days. The analysis shows that the main factors influencing breeding activities of the Kaloula borealis are rainfall, humidity, and barometric pressure. The most influencing factor among them is rainfall. According to the analysis, the Kaloula borealis participate in spawning activities when it rains hard and humidity and barometric pressure also have influence on their spawning activities to a certain degree. As for temperature, the breeding season is summer so it meets one of the conditions for breeding activities. As a result, like the previous studies on other anurans in temperate regions, rainfall and temperature have a great impact on breeding activities of the Kaloula borealis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.162-173
• /
• 2015

The current study analyzed the home range size of the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) by observation using the natural markings in the suburban area of Busan from December 2009 to May 2010. In all, 26 individual kestrels were observed in the study area, of which 14 individual kestrels were frequently observed (more than five times) and 12 were observed less frequently (less than five times). Mean home range sizes of the 14 frequently observed kestrels were estimated using two different methods (minimum convex polygon (MCP) method and fixed kernel (FK) method): 34.49 ha(2.74-163.96 ha) by 100% MCP, 41.35 ha(3.54-99.02 ha) by the 95% FK, 14.33 ha(0.20-31.57 ha) by the 75% FK and 5.75 ha(0.52-14.74 ha) by the 50% FK. The mean home range size was larger for males than for females estimated at 51.50 ha(15.04-163.96 ha) and 11.80ha(2.74-24.48 ha), respectively, by the 100 % MCP method and 8.02 ha(2.38-14.74 ha) and 2.72 ha (0.52-4.28 ha), respectively, by the 50 % Fixed Kernel method. The home range sizes by sexes in breeding pairs differed during the wintering and breeding seasons; the sizes decreased among females but increased among males during the breeding season. Such differences of home range sizes between sexes could be attributed to parental role division during the breeding season. Females stay in the nest or next to it during laying, incubating, and feeding activities, and males go far away from their nest sites to forage areas for their fledglings for most of the breeding period.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.564-568
• /
• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to determine and characterize the food resources and foraging sites of Pacific Reef Herons bred in Aewol-eup, Jeju Island, during Feb. 2005 ~ Aug. 2005. The food resources of Pacific Reef Herons were identified as comprising 21 individuals of 5 species, and these identifications were verified as follows: 38.1% of Tridentoger obscurus(n=8), 19.0% of Ennedpterygius etheostomus(n=4), and 14.3% of Engraulis japonica(n=3). The sizes of the food resources were measured as follows: total $58.29{\pm}5.17mm$(n=19), T. obscurus was $67.49{\pm}4.91mm$(n=8), E. etheostomus was $43.98{\pm}3.50mm$(n=4), and E. japonica was $22.77{\pm}1.17mm$. The semi-digested foods were confirmed as Paralichthys olivaceus and Sebastes inermis. The primary foraging sites were 7.4km(Oedocheon) east, to 6.6km(Geumseongcheon) west of the Aewol breeding area.