• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2020

On May 27, 2019, a non-native turtle was discovered at Ilsan Lake Park, Janghang-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Republic of Korea. The turtle was identified as a western painted turtle (Emydidae: Chrysemys picta bellii) based on the external morphology, plastron color, plastron pattern, stripes on the side of the head, and shape of the carapace. In the lake park, another non-native turtle was observed sunbathing on the same rock. In this paper, we firstly reported the confirmed presence of a western painted turtle in the wild of Korea. Unfortunately, various non-native turtles are continuously reported in Korean ecosystems. Therefore, we highlight that continuous surveying and reporting of the non-native species is important to their management.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2012

Korean freshwater turtles are divided into native turtles, Chinemys reevesii in Geoemydidae, Pelodiscus sinensis in Trionychidae, and imported turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, Pseudemys rubriventris and Ocadia sinensis. In this study, we determined the distribution of Korean freshwater turtles based on a field study and literature study, and considered the taxonomic position of unidentified native turtles. The study was carried out between May 2010 and November 2011 during the day time, and the capturing tool used to collect turtles consisted of net and metal frame. C. reevesii and P. sinensis were found in 16 and 11 places, respectively. C. reevesii, which inhabits the Korean peninsula, is a taxonomically controversial species, but it is presumed that the turtle belongs to Mauremys. Moreover recent taxonomic studies of the soft-shell turtle have shown that the Korean native species is P. maackii, and P. sinensis was imported from abroad and has been in the natural habitats of Korea since 1970s. The exterior shape and skeletal form of P. maackii and P. sinensis are nearly similar. However, the skin color and yellow spots on the shell could be used to distinguish the two species.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2024

The remarkable economic growth achieved in the modern era has revitalized various industries, including pet trade. More than 2,000 species of non-native species have been introduced to South Korea and approximately 7.7 tonnes of alien turtles are imported annually. Turtles belonging to the family Kinosternidae. They are mostly small and popular pets, although they are designated as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) species. In the present study, we present the first two species of musk turtles found in the wild in South Korea. On April 5, 2023 and July 8, 2023, an eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) and a razorbacked musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) were captured in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do and Jung-gu, Daejeon, respectively. The carapace length was 88.6 mm for S. odoratus and 105.68 mm for S. carinatus. They were identified based on their morphological characteristics and mtDNA cytochrome b gene. These turtles were found in waterfront areas with over 1.4 million annual visitors. Both sites were found to have threatened amphibians and reptiles. There is an urgent need to continue monitoring and conducting risk assessments for the protection of endemic species in Korea.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.592-597
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• 2014

The cell membrane provides critical cellular functions that rely on its elaborate structure and organization. The structure of turtle membranes is an important part of an ongoing study of erythrocyte membranes. Using a combination of atomic force microscopy and single-molecule force spectroscopy, we characterized the turtle erythrocyte membrane structure with molecular resolution in a quasi-native state. High-resolution images both leaflets of turtle erythrocyte membranes revealed a smooth outer membrane leaflet and a protein covered inner membrane leaflet. This asymmetry was verified by single-molecule force spectroscopy, which detects numerous exposed amino groups of membrane proteins in the inner membrane leaflet but much fewer in the outer leaflet. The asymmetric membrane structure of turtle erythrocytes is consistent with the semi-mosaic model of human, chicken and fish erythrocyte membrane structure, making the semi-mosaic model more widely applicable. From the perspective of biological evolution, this result may support the universality of the semi-mosaic model.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.29-41
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• 2022

Alien species cause problems in various ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and destroy ecosystems. Due to these problems, the problem of a management plan is increasing, and it is difficult to accurately identify each individual and calculate the number of individuals, especially when researching alien turtle species such as GPS and PIT based on capture. this study intends to conduct an individual recognition study using a UAV. Recently, UAVs can take various sensor-based photos and easily obtain high-definition image data at low altitudes. Therefore, based on previous studies, this study investigated five variables to be considered in UAV flights and produced a test paper using them. OCR was used to monitor the displayed turtles using the manufactured test paper, and this confirmed the recognition rate. As a result, the use of yellow numbers showed the highest recognition rate. In addition, the minimum threat distance was confirmed to be 3 to 6m, and turtles with a shell size of 6 to 8cm were also identified during the flight. Therefore, we tried to propose an object recognition methodology for turtle display text using OCR, and it is expected to be used as a new turtle monitoring technique.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2023

The main factor of biodiversity decline in major biological populations around the world is invasion of alien species. To protect native species, it is necessary to manage alien species. Recently, to eradicate ecosystem disturbance caused by alien species in Korea, many efforts have been made to capture individuals using nets and purchase captured individuals. However, there is no standard for classifying species due to the form of nest site or external characteristics of eggs of freshwater turtles. Thus, Mauremys reevesii eggs might be discarded due to mistaking as eggs of alien turtles. Based on more data, this study aims to compare and analyze external differences among eggs of Trachemys scripta elegans, Pseudemys concinna, and M. reevesii and use them as reference materials in the process of eradicating alien turtles. This study measured characteristics of eggs of the three turtle species. As a result of comparison, all variables of external characteristics of alien turtles and M. reevesii eggs showed significant differences. The shape of egg was also different, with eggs of T. scripta elegans and P. concinna showing a bicone shape and those of M. reevesii showing an ellipsoid shape. In conclusion, based on results of previous studies and the present study, eggs of M. reevesii, T. scripta elegans, and P. concinna are different in shape and structure. Thus, it is possible to distinguish between M. reevesii and invasive alien turtle using their eggs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2024

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), which is native to North America, started to be imported into South Korea as pets in the 1990s. The turtle was sold in supermarkets and pet shops nationwide at low prices such as 20 USD. These non-native turtles, with their large size and strong predatory nature, have been consistently discovered in the wild in South Korea beginning in 2014, and they were designated as an ecosystem-disturbing species (EDS) in October 2022. Until June 30, 2023, a collection system was implemented to reduce the abandonment problem of C. serpentina due to their designation as an EDS. In this study, we analyzed the impacts of the legal designation as an ecologically disturbing species and the collection system of C. serpentina on their abandonment and surrender. Our findings showed that designation as EDS did not affect the abandonment of C. serpentina. Meanwhile, the collection system led to cases of immediate surrender. Within 3 years of post-purchase, 41.8% of the turtles were surrendered, and 67.5% were surrendered when they reached 3kg. Determining the impact of the legal designation as an EDS may be currently limited due to the difficulty of detecting C. serpentina in the wild. On the other hand, cases of surrender through the collection system are considered to be effective as they have been shown to reduce the abandonment of this newly designated ecosystem-disturbing species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.396-401
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• 2020

As the world becomes more globalized, the non-native species issue has emerged as a problem that is growing internationally. In particular, the number of non-native turtles found in the wild has been increasing sharply in South Korea. At least 15 species of non-native turtles, including the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) first imported in the 1970s, have been found in Korea. On October 15, 2019, an alligator snapping turtle (AST, Macrochelys temminckii) was found in a stream located in Gwangju city, South Korea. The discovery of AST became a big issue in South Korea as the animal is known for its large body size and aggressiveness and was featured widely in the mass media. In this study, to learn the public's perception of non-native species, we examined comments (opinions) to the online news articles about the AST. We collected 1,100 comments from the Internet news articles on the AST. Out of the 1,100 comments, 342 (31.1%) comments were related to non-native species' issues. Most of the respondents (97.7%, n=334) stated that the non-native species are a problem. Forty two comments mentioned potential threats posed by non-native species: non-native species' aggressive nature (n=11, 26.2%) and ecological disturbance (n=31, 73.8%). Lack of responsibility (n=122, 51.7%) was the major causative factor for the introduction of non-native species, and followed by indiscriminate pet trade (n=99, 42.0%), absence of relevant legislation (n=13, 5.5%), and absence of treatment (n=2, 0.8%). Animal registration (n=59, 45.7%) was the most commonly mentioned as the way to deal with the issue of the non-native species' invasion. Our results show that the public is aware of the seriousness of the invasion of non-native species, including AST. This study highlights that researchers and government officials need to consider the public's perception and opinions. We believe that our study can serve as an essential reference for the policy direction and the management of non-native species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determined the status and geographical distribution of the alien invasive Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) turtle on Jeju Island. We found thirty-two Red-eared slider habitats including twenty-five ponds, five agricultural reservoirs, a puddle and a stream. Among those, thirteen sites are newly determined habitats of the turtle. The remaining nineteen are previously reported. However, we could not find any turtles at nine sites, which were documented as turtle habitats in earlier reports. A total of one hundred thirty-three turtles were observed. Among them, we determined that thirty-nine were juvenile turtles, found in nineteen different habitats, indicating estimating that Red-eared sliders produced their progeny in the wild of this island. Because of geographical isolation by the ocean, no freshwater turtle had been found until $19^{th}$ Century. Therefore, the increased number of finding sites and Red-eared sliders indicate the possibility of human release of their pets or for other purposes, and natural propagation in the wild on Jeju Island. Our findings will be useful for management planning to deal with this invasive species, and implementation of a conservation program for native wildlife on Jeju Island.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.378-384
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• 2019

Red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, is one of the most famous species to disturb native ecosystems in the world. In South Korea, the species was imported as pet, and now it is found whole of the country. Recent, natural breeding and spreading of the turtle has been reported. In this paper, we investigated the environmental factors to affect the reproduction of T. s. elegans. We surveyed the distribution of the turtle in Jeju island, South Korea, between 2012 to 2017. We compared the land covers and climate of habitats from breeding sites and non-breeding sites. The species was found from 38 sites in Jeju island; 21 of breeding sites and 17 of non-breeding sites. The number of total and only adult turtles was significantly higher in breeding sites than non-breeding sites (P<0.05). In breeding site, the reproduction rate from the farmland was significantly higher than others(P<0.05). However, the rate of land covers was not significant in non-breeding site (P>0.05). The difference on the climate between breeding and non-breeding was not significant(P>0.05). Moreover, none of climate factors affected to reproduction of T. s. elegans(P>0.05). Our study showed that the land covers surrounding the habitats are more important than climate for reproduction of T. s. elegans in Jeju island. This result indicates investigating the habitat and surrounding is necessary for the control of reproduction and spreading of the introduced species.