• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.391-397
• /
• 2005

Molecular identification techniques are used where morphological characters are not useful for distinguishing species that resemble each other closely. The example studied here is the Adoxophyes species complex, in which A. orana (Fischer von $R{\ddot{o}}sslerstamm$) is officially the only known Korean species in the genus Adoxophyes (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). However there have been suspicions that at least two types of A. orana exist in Korea based on the distribution and range of the host, with A. orana attacking apples and peaches, and another Adoxophyes sp. attacking tea and pears. The latter is presumed to be A. honmai (Yasuda), but the two have remained confused because of their extreme morphological similarity, despite several Asian studies of pheromonal and morphological characteristics. To confirm the occurrence of an Adoxophyes species other than A. orana in Korea, we compared 940 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene from 16 samples of Adoxophyes and found that there is a second Adoxophyes species different from A. orana. Comparison of the different sequences to that of Japanese A. honmai confirmed that they belong to the latter. From the sequence difference between the two Korean species, we were able to develop new PCR primer sets that distinguish them. This molecular identification technique with no enzyme digestion or sequencing step is a convenient and rapid way of differentiating between species that are hard to distinguish morphologically.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.41-47
• /
• 2012

The Scarites aterrimus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) dwells exclusively on coastal sandy dunes. Previously, we investigated the nation-wide magnitude and nature of genetic diversity of the species using mitochondrial COI gene and found moderate to low magnitude of sequence diversity, the presence of closely related haplotypes, and relatively high gene flow estimate. Based on these observations we concluded that the species had no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision and possible population decline. In this study, we additionally sequenced mitochondrial COII gene from 23 individuals collected from 9 Korean localities to confirm previous findings. Sequencing of 688 bp COII gene provided 5 haplotypes ranging in sequence divergence from 0.145% to 0.291% (1 ~ 2 bp), further confirming low sequence divergence of the species. Gene flow estimates and genetic diversity estimates also support the previous findings that there had been no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.286-294
• /
• 2020

The Chironomus(Diptera: Chironomidae) is a freshwater benthic invertebrate that is an important indicator organism used for environmental pollution and water quality monitoring. In this study, we performed morphological classification and genetic species identification using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene on mitochondrial DNA for an accurate species classification of Chironomus larvae found in tap water purification plants in Incheon, Korea. Twenty larvae in six water purification plants consist of four species, including twelve Chironomus kiiensis, six Chironomus flaviplumus, one Chironomus dorsalis, and one Polypedilum yongsanensis (not included Genus Chironomus). Morphological characteristics of each larvae were identified based on the head capsule, the mentum, the mandible, the antenna, and the claw. Based on the COI sequences of 21 individuals of 17 Chironomus species registered in NCBI Genbank, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 20 individuals investigated in this study consist of the same clade with corresponding species of the high homology (99~100%) including C. kiiensis, C. flaviplumus, C. dorsalis, and P. yongsanensis. These results will be used as main classification indicator for monitoring freshwater ecosystems by providing integrated morphological and genetic information for the species identification of Korean Chironomus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1415-1420
• /
• 2000

Essential tremor(ET) is the most common movement disorder however there has been little agreement in the neurologic literature regarding diagnostic criteria for ET. Familial ET is an autosomal dominant disorder presenting as an isolated postural tremor. The main feature of ET is postural tremor of the arms with later involvement of the head, voice, or legs. In previous studies, it was reported that ET susceptibility was inherited in an autosomal dominant inheritance. As with previous results, it would suggest that ET might be associated with defect of mitochondrial or nuclear DNA. Recent studies are focusing molecular genetic detection of movement disorders, such as essential tremor and restless legs syndrome. Parkinson's disease(PD) is a neurodegenerative disease involving mainly the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra by several factors. The cause of dopaminergic cell death is unknown. Recently, it has been suggested that Parkinson's disease many result from mitochondrial dysfunction. The authors have analysed mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) from the blood cell of PD and ET patients via long and accurate polymerase chain reaction(LA PCR). Blood samples were collected from 9 PD and 9 ET patients. Total DNA was extracted twice with phenol followed by chloroform : isoamylalcohol. For the analysis of mtDNA, LA PCR was performed by mitochondrial specific primers. With LA PCR, 1/3 16s rRNA~1/3 ATPase 6/8 and COI~3/4 ND5 regions were observed in different patterns. But, in the COI~1/3 ATPase 6/8 region, the data of PCR were observed in same pattern. This study supports the data that ET and PD are genentic disorders with deficiency of mitochondrial DNA multicomplexes.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.26.1-26.9
• /
• 2017

Fishes in genus Sardinella are small pelagic species, which plays an important role in marine ecosystem as the first consumer. Those species are also commercially important, whose total catch reaches 278,600 tons in 2011 in Indonesia, but their identification has been difficult for their morphological similarity. In this study, we reported Sardinella jussieu for the first time in Indonesian coastal area (Banten Bay, Indonesia, $6^{\circ}\;0^{\prime}\;50.00^{{\prime}{\prime}}\;S-106^{\circ}\;10^{\prime}\;21.00^{{\prime}{\prime}}\;E$). We were able to confirm the species by both its morphological characteristics including the black spot at dorsal fin origin, the dusky pigmentation at caudal fin, 31 total scute numbers, and DNA sequence identity in the GenBank database by the molecular analysis. Its total mitochondrial genome was determined by the combination of next-generation sequencing and typical PCR strategy. The total mitochondrial genome of Sardinella jussieu (16,695 bp) encoded 13 proteins, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and the putative control region. All protein-coding genes started with ATG and typical stop codon and ended with TAA or TAG except for ND4 in which AGA is used. Phylogenetic analyses of both COI region and full mitochondrial genome showed that S. jussieu is most closely related to Sardinella albella and Sardinella gibbosa

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.165-182
• /
• 2015

The snailfishes (Scorpaenoidei: Liparidae) is a large group requiring taxonomic reviews because of a potential taxonomic confusion due to its great similarity in external morphology between species and a variation of its body color with size. Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic review were conducted for 10 species in 3 genera reported around the Korean waters, which facilitate understanding interrelationship within its family, and further management of fisheries resources. Molecular phylogeny using mitochondrial COI (mtCOI) and nuclear RAG2 (nRAG2) sequences indicates that the reciprocal monophyly of the three genera (Careproctus, Crystallichthys, and Liparis) were supported except Crystallichthys matsushimae, being closely related to Careproctus notosaikaiensis in only mtDNA COI topology. Liparis ingens Gilbert and Burke (1912) was reported as a distinct species differing from L. ochotensis. However, in the present study, comparing L. ingens from Korea with L. ochotensis from Japan and Russia, the two species were well corresponded in their morphology and molecule, therefore, we suggest L. ingens to be treated as a junior synonym of L. ochotensis.

• 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.16 no.2
• /
• pp.75-86
• /
• 2008

In order to understand geographic genetic variation and relationship among populations of the mason bee (Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowsky), which is used as pollinator for apple tree, we sequenced a portion of mitochondrial (mt) COI gene, which corresponds to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) from 81 O. cornifrons individuals collected over eight localities in Korea. The sequence data revealed overall moderate to low genetic diversity within species, with a maximum sequence divergence of 0.76%. Geographically, two haplotypes (BAROC01 and BAROC02) were widespread with a frequency of 82.7%, whereas several haplotypes were found in a locality as a single individual, suggesting that haplotype distribution can be summarized as coexistence of a few widespread haplotypes and several regionally restricted haplotypes. Overall, high rate of per generation female migration (Nm=$1.1{\sim}$infinite) and low level of geographic subdivision ($F_{ST}=0{\sim}0.315$) among localities were characteristic. Although two populations (p < 0.026) were genetically subdivided from the remaining localities, no clear polarity was observed. Taken together, the nature of genetic divergence of the mason bee populations is characterized as one that possessing moderate to low genetic diversity, high gene flow, and wide spread haplotypes with ahigh frequency, concordant with the capability of dispersal in connection with the lack of historical biogeographic barriers.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.65-74
• /
• 2011

The Scarites aterrimus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), is one of the carabid beetles dwelling exclusively on coastal sandy dunes. Habitat deterioration and equivalent activity have greatly concerned population declines in several species dwelling on the coastal sandy dunes. As a first step to establish long-term conservation strategy, we investigated the nation-wide magnitude and nature of genetic diversity of the species. As a first step, we sequenced a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, corresponding to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) from a total of 24 S. aterrimus individuals collected over nine sandy dunes belonging to four Korean provinces. The sequence analysis evidenced moderate to low magnitude of sequence diversity compared with other insect species distributed in Korean peninsula (0.152% to 0.912%). The presence of closely related haplotypes and relatively high gene flow estimate collectively suggest that there had been no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision. Population decline was postulated on the basis of several missing haplotypes that are well found in the species with a large population size. This interpretation is consistent with field observation of small population size in the coastal sandy dune habitats. The highest genetic diversity estimates were found in the coastal sand dune population of Seogwipo, Jeju Island, justifying a prior attention to the population, in order to sustain overall genetic diversity of the species. Further scrutinized study might be required for further robust conclusion.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.395-410
• /
• 2014

The genus Callophyllis is recorded as six separate species with imprecise species delimitation in Korea. To elucidate the species boundaries of Korean Callophyllis, we performed morphological observations and molecular analyses, and included three Japanese Callophyllis species from the type locality. From the results of molecular analyses using plastid rbcL and mitochondrial COI-5P genes, we confirmed ten Callophyllis species, including five cryptic ones: C. adhaerens, C. adnata, C. crispata, and C. japonica from Korea and Japan; C. hayamensis as an unrecorded species from Korea; C. cartilaginea, C. mollitia, C. repens, C. serratifolia, and C. undulata as new species from Korea. There were no Korean specimens that matched C. adnata or C. crispata from Japan, except Korean C. japonica, which formed a genetic group with the Japanese species. We obtained the interspecific divergences among the five cryptic species as 0.6-4.5% in rbcL and 2.8-8.4% in COI-5P. We recognized that the species diversity of Callophyllis has been underestimated from the northwestern Pacific region. The species boundary of Callophyllis from Korea and Japan will be a cornerstone to revealing the phylogenetic affinity of the genus distributed in both hemispheres of the western Pacific.