• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2014

The taxonomic status of a new forma, Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. f. jeollaensis E. J. Kim & S. S. Whang, and the taxonomic relationships of three Korean cladodes were studied based on DNA sequences of three genes. The new forma O. humifusa f. jeollaensis (Wanggasi-Chunnyuncho) is simlilar to O. humifusa (Chunnyuncho), but differ in having both flower with the reddish inner center, and strong and many 3 cm long spines. Molecular studies showed that the new forma grouped into Macrocentra series instead of Humifusa series which included Korean O. humifusa. We designated the new taxa firstly studied here as a new forma, because the taxa have been mainly cultivated in farmlands in Jeolla-do area rather than distributed in nature. The taxonomic relationships of three Korean cladodes are discussed in detail.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2020

The applications of DNA barcoding have a wide range of uses, such as in taxonomic studies to help elucidate cryptic species and phylogenetic relationships and analyzing environmental samples for biodiversity monitoring and conservation assessments of species. After obtaining the DNA barcode sequences, sequence similarity-based homology analysis is commonly used. This means that the obtained barcode sequences are compared to the DNA barcode reference databases. This bioinformatic analysis necessarily implies that the overall quantity and quality of the reference databases must be stringently monitored to not have an adverse impact on the accuracy of species identification. With the development of next-generation sequencing techniques, a noticeably large number of DNA barcode sequences have been produced and are stored in online databases, but their degree of validity, accuracy, and reliability have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we investigated the extent to which the amount and types of erroneous barcode sequences were deposited in publicly accessible databases. Over 4.1 million sequences were investigated in three largescale DNA barcode databases (NCBI GenBank, Barcode of Life Data System [BOLD], and Protist Ribosomal Reference database [PR2]) for four major DNA barcodes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 [COI], internal transcribed spacer [ITS], ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain [rbcL], and 18S ribosomal RNA [18S rRNA]); approximately 2% of erroneous barcode sequences were found and their taxonomic distributions were uneven. Consequently, our present findings provide compelling evidence of data quality problems along with insufficient and unreliable annotation of taxonomic data in DNA barcode databases. Therefore, we suggest that if ambiguous taxa are presented during barcoding analysis, further validation with other DNA barcode loci or morphological characters should be mandated.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.275-308
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• 2007

For 20 taxa of Korean Allium, including 16 species and 5 varieties, examined were morphological characters (i.e. sexuality, structure and shape of underground part, types and growing patterns of leaf and scape, and shapes of perianth, filament and pistil). The specialization and the evolutionary trends of taxonomic characters were inferred from morphological examination. Taxonomic relationships and system of Korean Allium were also studied. The characters showing evolutionary trends were the structure and shape of underground part including rhizome and bulb, leaf, scape, inflorescens, filament and ovary. It seemed that thin and short rhizome developed from thick and long one, and the membranous simple bulb tunic evolved into fibrous reticulate one. The presence of hyaline sheath in A. monanthum of sect. Microscordum was apomorphic. Both angular leaf blade with 2-rowed vascular bundle and flat blade with 1-rowed vascular bundle were developed from terete one with 2-rowed vascular bundle. The base of filament have differentiated from entire to toothed, and 2-ovuled ovary as well as erect scape before flowering was plesiomorphic type. In addition, sexuality, structure of underground part, the presence of hyaline sheath and cross-section structure of leaf were taxonomic characters with the level of the subgenus in this genus. Shape of rhizome, bulb, leaf, scape and pedicel discriminated each section from other ones in the subgenera easily. The shape and arrangement of perianth and filaments were the diagnostic characters for species level along with shape of ovary and stigma.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2008

Rates of molecular evolution are known to vary widely among taxonomic groups. A number of studies, examining various taxonomic groups, have indicated that body size is negatively and clutch size is positively correlated with the rates of nucleotide substitutions among vertebrate species. Generally, either smaller body mass or larger clutch size is associated with shorter generation times and higher metabolic rates. However, this generality is subject to ongoing debate, and large-scale comparative studies of species below the Order level are lacking. In this study, phylogenetically independent methods were used to test for relationships between rates of the mitochondrial cytochrome b evolution and a range of life history traits, such as body mass and clutch size in the Order Galliformes. This analysis included data from 67 species of Galliformes birds and 2 outgroup species in Anseriformes. In contrast to previous studies, taxa were limited to within-Order level, not to Class or higher. I found no evidence to support an effect of life history traits on the rate of molecular evolution within the Galliformes. These results suggest that such relationship may be too weak to be observed in comparisons of closely related species or may not be a general pattern that is applicable to all nucleotide sequences or all taxonomic groups.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.175-187
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• 2012

Hainan is the second largest and southernmost island of China, and it harbors many species of the family Gracilariaceae. In this study, we conducted molecular and morphological analyses of gracilarian specimens collected from Hainan Island, to clarify their taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships. Five species of Gracilariaceae in Hainan were determined through maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis of rbcL sequence data. Based on the phylogenetic trees and morphology, Hainan specimens were identified as three species of Gracilaria, one species of Gracilariopsis, and one species of Hydropuntia, namely, G. salicornia, G. tenuistipitata, Gracilaria sp., Gp. bailiniae and H. edulis. This is the first report of the molecular phylogeny of Gracilariaceae on Hainan Island, and it helps to clarify the taxonomy and distribution of gracilarian species in the Asia-Pacific region.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.215-229
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• 2018

In this study, the phylogenetic relationships among the genera Alsidium C. Agardh and Bryothamnion $K{\ddot{u}}tzing$ were investigated. Phylogenetic analyses using the plastid-encoded markers rbcL, psbA, and the mitochondrial barcode region (COI-5P) resolved a well-supported clade that included the species Alsidium corallinum, Bryothamnion seaforthii, and B. triquetrum. Our results indicated that taxonomic recognition of the genus Bryothamnion is not supported and two species of Bryothamnion are reallocated to Alsidium. A reexamination of the morphological definition of Alsidium is provided with an updated diagnosis of the genus and a morphology-based comparison of species that are currently circumscribed under this generic name. Furthermore, we reviewed morphological differences and similarities between Alsidium and the genus Digenea, both belonging to the tribe Alsidieae, discussing the most relevant morphological characters.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2004

In Korean Peninsula including neighboring islands and Japanese Islands identical firefly species or the species belonging to same genera occur together in both territories. These geographic firefly species, nonetheless, have never been subject to taxonomic consideration together until recently, lacking clear species status and phylogenetic relationships. A recent serial study of these fireflies using luciferase gene and/or portions of mitochondrial DNA sequences provided some insight into these populations in terms of validity of species name, phylogenetic relationships, and speciation event. In this article, thus, we have reviewed the recent progress on phylogenetic and/or population genetic aspects of these species, i.e., Hotaria-group fireflies, Luciola lateralis, and Pyrocoelia rufa to better understand the firefly species in these regions.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.149-162
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• 2016

Five species of the genus Leontopodium are recognized in Korea, but their taxonomic positions have been controversial. To clarify the taxonomic entity of these Korean species, we examined their morphological characters based on herbarium specimens and field observations. Valuable distinguishing characters for identification included the plant height, the basal shape of cauline leaves, the type and position of inflorescence, the types of hairs, the presence of leaves at the anthesis, and hairs on the phyllaries. Based on our observations, we were able to determine the taxonomic relationships between L. japonicum and its relatives, L. coreanum and L. hallaisanense. We also included the morphological characters of L. seorakensis in continuous variations of L. leiolepis, which we treated as synonyms. Consequently, we classified these Korean Leontopodium species into four taxa - L. coreanum var. coreanum, L. coreanum var. hallaisanense, L. leiolepis, and L. leontopodioides - with appropriate descriptions and illustrations.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2011

Elsholtzia hallasanensis, E. springia, and E. splendens var. fasciflora (Lamiaceae) were reported recently as new species or new varieties of E. splendens according to their morphological characteristics. To reappraise the taxonomic status of these additional taxa and to determine the relationships between all Korean Elsholtzia taxa except E. saxatilis, which is distributed in North Korea, molecular studies based on the nrDNA (ITS) and cpDNA (rpl16, and trnH-psbA) sequences of seven taxa of Elsholtzia and one outgroup were carried out. The molecular data support that E. angustifolia and E. minima are distinct species from E. splendens and E. ciliata, respectively, because they have several private marker genes and show monophyly. The molecular data also support that E. splendens has a very close taxonomic relationship with both E. hallasanensis and E. springia. We found that E. splendens var. fasciflora, with multiple inflorescence, was based on several private marker genes and on the monophyly of its trees, suggesting that it can be considered as a variety. Elsholtzia springia, with the same sequences and the same morphological characteristics with E. hallasanensis after transplanting, should be treated as a synonym of E. hallasanensis. Moreover, we consider the taxonomic status of E. hallasanensis as E. splendens var. hallasanensis (Y. Lee) N.S. Lee & C.S. Lee, stat. nov.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.189-207
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• 2006

Goodyera rosulacea, which is morphologically similar to G. repens, is described recently as a new species based on its distinct morphological characters such as rosette-formed leaves, short rhizome and habitat. To verify the taxonomic identity of G. rosulacea and its taxonomic relationship within Korean Goodyera taxa, sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the trnL region of cpDNA from 24 accessions including 1 outgroup accession were analyzed. Aligned sequences were analyzed using maximum parsimony and distance method, and the taxonomic identity and the taxonomic relationships among the related taxa were estimated by the existence of private marker gene and the phylogenetic tree of the aligned sequences. Molecular data indicate that G. rosulacea gas several private marker genes and shows monophyly in phylogenetic trees of both ITS and trnL sequences. the pairwise distance between G. rosulacea and the orher taxa of Korean Goodyera was 3.49-6.68% for ITS region and 5.05-9.53% for trnL region, indicating that G. rosulacea could be treated as an independent species. Therefore, our molecular data support the taxonomic of G. rosulacea as a distinct species of Korea. In phylogenetic trees, G. rosulacea formed same clade with G. repens, which has similar morphological characters with G. rosulacea, and showed the lowest pairwise distance with G. repens among Korean Goodyera taxa. These molecular data sugguested that G. rosulacea and G. repens are closely related taxa.