• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2020

A new dragonfly species, Nannophya koreana sp. nov., is described from Korea on the basis of morphology and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene sequences. Nannophya materials from Korea and other areas in Southeast Asia were compared. The new species was previously recognized in Korea as the endangered pygmy dragonfly Nannophya pygmaea Rambur, 1842, which is widely distributed in insular and peninsular Southeast Asia. However, male adults of the Nannophya population in Korea could be distinguished from other N. pygmaea populations by the presence of a thick, incomplete black stripe on the lateral synthorax that terminated at half-length (vs. continuous to wing base), light orange (vs. red) anal appendages, and 4-5 (vs. 2-3) black teeth on the ventral superior appendages. In addition, the body length of N. koreana was generally larger (1.2-1.4 times) than that of N. pygmaea, regardless of life stage. COI gene sequences from the two groups exhibited substantial genetic differences (>12%), thereby sufficiently substantiating their differentiation. The taxonomic status, distribution, and habitat of the new species are discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.47-58
• /
• 2007

The tiny dragonfly, Nannophya pygmaea(Odonata: Libellulidae) is one the smallest dragonflies in the world and listed as a second-degree endangered wild animal and plant in Korea. For the long-term conservation of such endangered species, an investigation on nation-wide genetic magnitude and nature of genetic diversity is required as a part of conservation strategy. We, thus, sequenced a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, corresponding to "DNA Barcode" region(658 bp) from 68 N. pygmaea individuals collected over six habitats in Korea. The sequence data were used to investigate genetic diversity within populations and species, geographic variation within species, phylogeographic relationship among populations, and phylogenetic relationship among haplotypes. Phylogenetic analysis and uncorrected pairwise distance estimate showed overall low genetic diversity within species. Regionally, populations in southern localities such as Gangjin and Gokseong in Jeollanamdo Province showed somewhat higher genetic diversity estimates than those of remaining regions in Korean peninsula. Although geographic populations of N. pygmaea were subdivided into two groups, distance- or region-based geographic partition was not observed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2017

The tiny dragonfly, Nannophya pygmaea (Odonata: Libellulidae), is an endangered insect in South Korea. Previously, a partial mitochondrial DNA sequence that corresponded to a DNA barcoding region has been used to infer genetic diversity and gene flow. In this study, we additionally sequenced the barcoding region from N. pygmaea that had been collected from three previously sampled populations (40 individuals) and these sequences were combined with the preexisting data. We also selected and sequenced an additional mitochondrial gene (ND5) to find further variable gene regions in the mitochondrial genome. DNA barcoding sequences of 108 individuals from five South Korean localities showed that genetic diversity was highest in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do Province. Muuido, which was previously occupied by a single haplotype, was also found to have an identical haplotype, which confirmed the low genetic diversity on this islet. Gene flow among populations is highly limited, and no clear distance- or region-based geographic partitioning was observed. Phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes showed that there were no discernable haplotypes in South Korea. ND5 provided slightly more haplotypes compared to the barcoding region in 40 individuals (14 vs. 10 haplotypes in the COI gene). It also had a slightly higher within-locality diversity estimate, which suggested that ND5 had potential as mitochondrial DNA-based marker for population genetic analysis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.545-548
• /
• 2017

Nannophya pygmaea (commonly known as the scarlet dwarf dragonfly) was designated as an endangered species, level II, by the Ministry of Environment of Korea in 1994; it has been used as a flagship species for the protection and preservation of wetlands. Over 25 sites in Korea have been identified as the habitat of Nannophya pygmaea. However, most of these habitats have proven to be unstable, and there have been subsequent changes in the assemblage structure and organization. Most habitats changed to become grasslands or plain ground, and now only five habitats remain. Although efforts have been made to protect the Nannophya pygmaea as an endangered species, their habitat loss has increased, caused by natural succession and drought. Therefore, we need to make stronger protections in the preservation manual of level II endangered species, particularly Nannophya pygmaea, and its native habitats in Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.324-333
• /
• 2022

Background: The Korean scarlet dwarf, Nannophya koreana Bae (Odonata: Libellulidae), is anendangered dragonfly with an increasing risk of extinction owing to rapid climate changes and human activities. To prevent extinction, the N. koreana population and their habitat should be protected. Therefore, suitable habitat evaluation is important to build the N. koreana restoration project. The habitat suitability index model (HSI) has been widely used for habitat evaluation in diverse organisms. Results: To build a suitable HSI model for N. koreana, 16 factors were examined by seven experienced researchers. A field survey for N. koreana observed sites and spatial analysis were conducted to improve the model. Five factors were finally selected by this procedure (crown density, open water surface, water depth, pioneer plant cover, and type of water source). Finally, the N. koreana HSI model was generated with the five adjusted factors based on interview, field survey, and spatial analysis. This model was validated by a current N. koreana habitat in 2021. With this model, 46 sites in Uljin-gun, Korea, were surveyed for N. koreana habitats; five sites were identified as core habitats and seven as potential core habitats. Conclusions: This model will serve as a strong foundation for the N. koreana restoration project and as a reference for future studies on N. koreana and other endangered insect populations. Further analysis and long-term data will improve the efficacy of this model and restore endangered wildlife.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.292-296
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to estimate relationship between temperature and egg development of Nannophya pygmaea, an endangerd dragonfly species in Korea, using eight different temperature conditions (17, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, and $36^{\circ}C$). Eggs of N. pygmaea were collected from female adults inhabited a small wetland in Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, in June 2007. As a result, hatching rates were 2.86, 17.09, 24.32, 39.67, 34.43, 40.57, 44.79, and 1.75% at 17, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, and $36^{\circ}C$, respectively. The nonlinear model of the temperature related to egg development was well fit to the modified Sharpe and DeMichele model. The derived lower developmental threshold temperature for egg hatching was $14.02^{\circ}C$(y=0.005988x-0.084, $r^2$=0.99), and the derived optimal development temperature was $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.290-294
• /
• 2009

Larval development of Nannopaya pygmaea Rambur (Libellulidae), an endangered dragonfly in Korea, was studied using an introduced lariat population in an artificial wetland habitat. Artificial habitat was created in a green house which imitated a small wetland in Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, where N. pygmaea inhabited. A total of 300 N. pygmaea larvae were introduced to the artificial habitat in June 2007. Larvae were recaptured five times between June 2007 and November 2008 for measurement of body length. As a result, the initial and recaptured populations (Recaptured I, II, III, IV, and V populations, respectively) contained two body size groups [initial 6.20$\pm$0.34 mm and 7.94$\pm$0.46 mm (mean$\pm$SD); Recaptured I 2.84$\pm$0.43 mm and 5.16$\pm$0.83 mm; Recaptured II 5.96$\pm$0.66 mm and 8.02$\pm$0.35 mm; Recaptured III 5.97$\pm$0.73 mm and 7.82$\pm$0.37 mm; Recaptured IV 7.04$\pm$0.93 mm and 8.52$\pm$0.39 mm; Recaptured V 5.72$\pm$0.60 mm and 7.71$\pm$0.30 mm]. Our rearing experiment evidenced that the recaptured I-V populations are the offspring of the initial population and the offspring grew approximately 3 mm at 470 degree days. It was also estimated that N. pygmaea larvae need approximately 100 degree days to grow 0.7 mm in body length.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.150-154
• /
• 2018

In lotic wetlands, runner reed (Phragmites japonicus) plays a role as a pioneer, which helps other plant species to settle by making dense roots trapping floating-sediments. In lentic wetlands, on the other hand, P. japonicus could play a role as an invader threatening biodiversity by forming tall and dense stands. To conserve an abandoned paddy terrace in mountainous areas, a habitat of an endangered dragonfly species (Nannophya pygmaea), from the monotypic-occupation by P. japonicus, we applied three kinds of treatment: (1) hand-clipping in 2009, (2) mechanical excavating in 2012, and (3) planting of alternative vegetational unit in 2012. We have monitored vegetation changes in the wetland in 2008~2012 and 2017. Vegetation cover of P. japonicus sharply decreased from 43% in 2011 to 16% in 2012 by the mechanical excavation. After 5 years from applying the treatment, Schoenoplectiella mucronata that was utilized in the planting became the predominant species instead of P. japonicus and the number of wetland plant species increased from 16 to 25 with the shift in species composition. This study showed the utility of three control methods of P. japonicas in a lentic wetland.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.45 no.3 s.144
• /
• pp.381-383
• /
• 2006

The hatching rate of the eggs of Nannophya pygmaea Rambur, an endangered dragonfly species in Korea, was experimented in different temperature conditions ($10,\;15,\;20,\;25,\;and\;30^{\circ}C$) in laboratory. N. pygmaea eggs were collected from female adults inhabited a small wetland in Mungyong-si, Kyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, in July 2006. The hatching rate was evaluated from the number of hatched nymphs for the period of 100 days. As a result, the hatching rates were 83, 89, and 76% at $20,\;25,\;and\;30^{\circ}C$, respectively; however, eggs were not hatched at $10^{\circ}C\;and\;15^{\circ}C$ during the experiment period. The derived thermal threshold for egg hatching was $14.3^{\circ}C$, which is relatively higher than the values of other temperate dragonflies.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.35-42
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to provide basic information that can be used to restore habitats of Nannophya pygmaea. Nannophya pygmaea is an endangered species of wildlife fauna in Korea and its habitats are distributed very scarcely in Korea. Ten wetland sites throughout Korea, where N. pygmaea inhabited (2 sites in Incheon Muui-do, 1 site in Gokseong Singi-ri, 4 sites in Gokseong Wolbong-ri, and 3 sites in Mungyeong Yulsu-ri) were investigated from June 2006 to August 2007. Investigation was made on landscape properties, habitat sizes, vegetation types, water environments, and water sources. N. pygmaea was generally found in the abandoned paddy fields surrounded by mountains. The habitats ranged from $113.4m^2$ to $1,153.1m^2$ in area, and were mostly dominated by Juncus effusus and Persicaria thunbergii. The water level was $2.6\sim7.3cm$, and the water temperature ranged from $16^{\circ}C$ to $27.8^{\circ}C$. The elevation of the habitats ranged from 139 to 243 m above sea level, which was mostly lower than that of other high mountain wetland habitats. In conclusion, the habitats of N. pygmaea can be restored at wetlands, which have similar condition with field habitat such as abandoned paddy fields in the beginning stage of oligotrophy. Because N. pygmaea is sensitive to microtopography and other surrounding environments, the approach to restore the habitats for N. pygmaea should consider those microhabitat conditions shown in this study.