• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2016

We studied the ectosymbionts associating with the sea anemone Stichodactyla gigantea at Kosrae, Micronesia. Ectosymbionts of seven species associated with 60.7% of S. gigantea (n=28), with a mean of 2.4 per anemone and 3.9 per occupied anemone. Anemones hosting one or more ectosymbionts did not differ significantly in size from anemones lacking ectosymbionts and there was no significant correlation between anemone size and the number of ectosymbionts. Of 67 ectosymbionts observed, the sea cucumber Stichopus vastus comprised 23.9%, followed by the shrimp Thor amboinensis (20.9%), unidentified hermit crabs (Paguroidea; 20.9%), the cardinalfish Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus (20.9%), the shrimp Periclimenes brevicarpalis (9.0%), the sea cucumber Holothuria hilla (3.0%), and an unidentified brachyuran crab (1.5%). This study documents the first records of S. vastus, H. hilla, and O. novemfasciatus associating with S. gigantea, and the first locality records of S. gigantea, T. amboinensis, P. brevicarpalis, and S. vastus for Kosrae. Because humans often harvest S. gigantea for food at Kosrae, we recommend protecting the symbiotic assemblage of S. gigantea by establishing a sustainable system of harvesting.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.105-113
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• 2019

Feather mites comprise two superfamilies(Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) and are highly specialized ectosymbionts of birds. To date, this group contains more than 2,500 species worldwide. Fifty-five feather mite species have been reported in Korea, and only one species of genus Alloptes has been recorded from black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa. Three new records of feather mites from the L. limosa in Korea are added in this study: Avenzoaria punctata Gaud, 1972, Bregetovia limosae (Buchholz, 1869), and Montchadskiana buchholzi (Canestrini, 1878). The genus Bregetovia Dubinin, 1951 is also new report for this country. In this paper, we provide the morphological descriptions and illustrations based on the present specimens. Additionally, we determined partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI) from three feather mites as DNA barcodes.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2024

During the surveys of ciliates from hypoxic habitats, three marine anaerobic species were found: Metopus spiculatus, M. vestitus, and Muranothrix felix. These species have not been previously recorded in South Korea and belong to the taxonomic classes Armophorea and Muranotrichea. The morphology of these species was examined by both microscopic observations of live specimens, and stained cells using protargol impregnations. Metopus spiculatus has the following characteristics: body size 80-110×25-35 ㎛ in vivo, beak-like structure at the end of preoral dome, ectosymbiotic bacteria covering cell surface, intracytoplasmic needle-shaped structures and the conspicuous tail end. Metopus vestitus has the following distinguishing characteristics: body size 95-130×25-45 ㎛ in vivo, a cone-shaped body, a covering of ectosymbiotic bacteria on its cell surface, intracytoplasmic needleshaped structures, somatic kineties arranged in 26-28 longitudinal rows, and a posterior part tapered into a tail. Muranothrix felix has the following characteristics: body size 100-130×20-30 ㎛ in vivo, elongated body with twisted neck region, bristle-like cilia protruding perpendicular to the cell margin, ectosymbiotic bacteria covering the cell surface, about 10 macronuclear nodules, and a long, stiffened caudal cilium.