• ALGAE
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.87-96
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• 2011

Protein profiles of a common mixotrophic dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum micans, growing autotrophically and mixotrophically (fed on the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina) were compared using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to determine if they vary in different trophic modes. Approximately 2.3% of the detected proteins were differentially expressed in the different trophic modes. Twelve proteins observed only in the mixotrophic condition had lower pI value (<5) than the fifteen proteins observed only in the autotrophic condition (>5). When the internal amino acid sequences of five selected proteins differentially expressed between autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, two proteins that were specifically expressed in the autotrophic condition showed homology to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatase dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and a bacterial catalase. Three mixotrophy-specific proteins showed homology to certain hypothetical proteins from an insect and bacteria. These results suggested the presence of certain gene groups that are switched on and off according to the trophic mode of P. micans.

• ALGAE
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.265-281
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• 2023

Hypoxia can indeed impact the survival of protists, which play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. To better understand the protistan community structure and species that can thrive in hypoxic waters, we collected samples from both the surface and bottom waters during the hypoxic period in Jinhae and Masan Bays and the non-hypoxic period in Jinhae Bay. Subsequently, we utilized metabarcoding techniques to identify the protistan species. During hypoxia, with dissolved oxygen concentrations of 0.8 mg L^-1 in Jinhae Bay and 1.8 mg L^-1 in Masan Bay within the bottom waters, the phylum Dinoflagellata exhibited the highest amplicon sequence variants richness among the identified protist phyla. Following the Dinoflagellata, Ochrophyta and Ciliophora also displayed notable presence. In hypoxic waters of Jinhae and Masan Bays, we identified a total of 36 dinoflagellate species that exhibited various trophic modes. These included one autotrophic species, 14 mixotrophic species, 9 phototrophic species with undetermined trophic modes (either autotrophic or mixotrophic), 2 kleptoplastidic species, and 10 heterotrophic species. Furthermore, the hypoxic bottom water exhibited a greater number of heterotrophic dinoflagellate species compared to the non-hypoxic surface water within the same water column or the non-hypoxic bottom water. Therefore, feeding by mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates may be partially responsible for their dominance in terms of the number of species surviving in hypoxic waters. This study not only introduces the initial documentation of 26 dinoflagellate species surviving in hypoxic conditions but also establishes a foundation for a more comprehensive understanding of the ecophysiology of dinoflagellates in hypoxic marine environments.

• ALGAE
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.303-313
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• 2019

Floating seaweed rafts are a surface-pelagic habitat that serve as substrates for benthic flora and fauna. Since 2008, Sargassum horneri clumps have periodically invaded the Korea Strait. In this study, the polymerase chain reaction-free small-organelles enriched metagenomics method was adopted to identify the species of epibiotic eukaryotes present in floating S. horneri fronds. A total of 185 species were identified, of which about 63% were previously undetected or unreported in Korean waters. The rafts harbored a diverse assemblage of eukaryotic species, including 39 Alveolata, 4 Archaeplastida, 95 Opisthokonts, 4 Rhizaria, and 43 Stramenopiles. Of these 185 taxa, 48 species were found at both Sargassum rafts collection stations and included 24 Stramenopiles, 17 Alveolata, and 7 Opisthokonts. Among these, the highest proportion (50%) of species was photo-autotrophic in basic trophic modes, while the proportion of phagotrophic, osmo- or saprotrophic, and parasitic modes were 43.8%, 4.2%, and 2.1%, respectively. This study demonstrates the contribution of floating Sargassum rafts as dispersal vectors that facilitate the spread of alien species.

• 해양환경안전학회지
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.750-763
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• 2018

본 연구는 울진 바다목장해역에 서식하는 생물을 대상으로 바다목장 관리를 위한 해양생태계의 영양구조와 에너지흐름을 파악하기 위한 목적으로 2013년 3월부터 10월까지 총 4회 현장조사를 실시하였다. 본 연구에서 개별 생물종들의 생태학적 특징에 따라 유사도에 근거한 비계량형다차원척도법을 사용하여 최고포식자, 바다새, 대형 및 소형유영어류, 볼락류, 가자미류, 저서어류, 반저서어류, 두족류, 저서섭이자, 표서동물, 이매패류, 전복, 자포동물, 동물플랑크톤, 부착성해조류, 미소해조류, 식물플랑크톤, 유기쇄설물 등 총 19가지로 생물그룹핑되었다. Ecopath 모델의 입력변수인 각 생물군들의 생체량, 생산량/생체량의 비, 섭식량/생체량의 비, 피식-포식관계 자료를 사용하여 울진 바다목장해역의 영양구조와 에너지 흐름을 추정하였다. 연구해역에서 각 생물군들의 영양단계는 1 ~ 5.687 범위로 파악되었다. 울진 바다목장 해역에 서식하는 모든 생물그룹들의 전체 소비량의 합은 $229.7t/km^2/yr$, 생물그룹들의 전체 이출량은 $3,432.4t/km^2/yr$이었다. 모든 생물그룹들의 총 에너지량은 $6,796.2t/km^2/yr$, 전체 생산량은 $3,613.1t/km^2/yr$로 추정되었다. 울진 바다목장 해역에서의 순 생태계 생산량은 $3,490.3t/km^2/yr$, 전체 생물군의 생체량은 $167.3t/km^2/yr$으로 추정되었다.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.32-40
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• 2022

The trade-off between morphology and physical function may vary according to ecological traits. Taking a quantitative approach, we attempted to analyze the differences in the skeletal shape of the lower body and limbs in relation to the ecological traits of four anuran species (Dryophytes japonicus, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, and Lithobates catesbeianus) occurring in South Korea. Body size, locomotor mode, microhabitat, trophic positions, and predator defense mechanisms were selected for the ecological traits of the anurans. The pelvis, ilium, and urostyle, which are associated with locomotor performance, were selected for the skeletal shape of the lower body. The ratio of limbs, which is related to locomotor mode and microhabitat, was confirmed by analyzing the skeletons of the forelimbs (radio-ulnar and humerus) and hindlimbs (femur and tibiofibular). Both landmark-based geometric morphometrics and traditional methods were used for skeletal shape comparison. The skeletal shape of the lower body was completely different among the four species, whereas the ratio of the limbs was only different in D. japonicus. The skeletal shape of the lower body may be related to body mass and predator defense mechanisms, whereas the ratio of the limbs was related to the locomotor mode and microhabitat. Quantifying these morphological differences among various species can help elucidate the mechanisms of behavioral and morphological changes in response to ecological effects.

• ALGAE
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.289-301
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• 2019

Mixotrophy in marine organisms is an important aspect of ecology and evolution. The discovery of mixotrophic abilities in phototrophic dinoflagellates alters our understanding of the dynamics of red tides. In the phototrophic dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium, some species are mixotrophic, but others are exclusively autotrophic. There are differences in the ecological roles of autotrophic and mixotrophic Alexandrium in marine food webs. However, of the 34 known Alexandrium species, the mixotrophic ability of >20 species has yet to be explored. In this study, the mixotrophic capabilities of Alexandrium insuetum CCMP2082, Alexandrium mediterraneum CCMP3433, Alexandrium pacificum CCMP3434, Alexandrium tamutum ATSH1609, and Alexandrium margalefii CAWD10 were investigated by providing each species with 22 diverse prey items including bacterium-sized microbeads (1 ㎛), the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp., algal prey species, and the ciliate Mesodinium rubrum. None of the 5 Alexandrium species fed on any of the prey items. These results increase the number of Alexandrium species lacking mixotrophic abilities to 9, compared to the 7 known mixotrophic Alexandrium species. Furthermore, the Alexandrium phylogenetic tree based on the large subunit ribosomal DNA contained 3 large clades, each of which had species with and without mixotrophic abilities. Thus, the acquisition or loss of mixotrophic abilities in Alexandrium might readily occur.

• Mycobiology
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.559-581
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• 2021

The coastal marine ecosystems of Vietnam are one of the global biodiversity hotspots, but the biodiversity of marine fungi is not well known. To fill this major gap of knowledge, we assessed the genetic diversity (ITS sequence) of 75 fungal strains isolated from 11 surface coastal marine and deeper waters in Nha Trang Bay and Van Phong Bay using a culture-dependent approach and 5 OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) of fungi in three representative sampling sites using next-generation sequencing. The results from both approaches shared similar fungal taxonomy to the most abundant phylum (Ascomycota), genera (Candida and Aspergillus) and species (Candida blankii) but were different at less common taxa. Culturable fungal strains in this study belong to 3 phyla, 5 subdivisions, 7 classes, 12 orders, 17 families, 22 genera and at least 40 species, of which 29 species have been identified and several species are likely novel. Among identified species, 12 and 28 are new records in global and Vietnamese marine areas, respectively. The analysis of enzyme activity and the checklist of trophic mode and guild assignment provided valuable additional biological information and suggested the ecological function of planktonic fungi in the marine food web. This is the largest dataset of marine fungal biodiversity on morphology, phylogeny and enzyme activity in the tropical coastal ecosystems of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Biogeographic aspects, ecological factors and human impact may structure mycoplankton communities in such aquatic habitats.

• ALGAE
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.111-126
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• 2023

Mixotrophic dinoflagellates act as primary producers, prey, and predators in marine planktonic food webs, whereas exclusively autotrophic dinoflagellates are primary producers and prey. Species of the dinoflagellate genus Scrippsiella are commonly found in marine ecosystems and sometimes cause harmful red tides. Among the 28 formally described Scrippsiella species, S. acuminata has been found to be mixotrophic and two unidentified species have been found to be mixotrophic. To determine whether the other species in this genus are similarly mixotrophic, the mixotrophic ability of S. donghaiensis SDGJ1703, S. lachrymosa SLBS1703, S. masanensis SSMS0908, S. plana SSSH1009A, and S. ramonii VGO1053 was explored using 15 potential prey items, including 2-㎛ fluorescently labeled microspheres (FLM) and heterotrophic bacteria (FLB), the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp., and various microalgal prey species. The ability of S. acuminata to feed on FLM and FLB was also investigated. We found that S. donghaiensis, S. lachrymosa, S. masanensis, S. plana, and S. ramonii did not feed on any potential prey tested in this study, indicating a lack of mixotrophy. However, S. acuminata fed on both FLM and FLB, confirming its mixotrophic ability. These results lowered the proportion of mixotrophic species relative to the total number of tested Scrippsiella species for mixotrophy from 100% to 29-38%. Owing to its mixotrophic ability, S. acuminata occupies an ecological niche that is distinct from that of S. donghaiensis, S. lachrymosa, S. masanensis, S. plana, and S. ramonii.

• ALGAE
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.39-55
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• 2023

Exploring mixotrophy of dinoflagellate species is critical to understanding red-tide dynamics and dinoflagellate evolution. Some species in the dinoflagellate genus Karenia have caused harmful algal blooms. Among 10 Karenia species, the mixotrophic ability of only two species, Karenia mikimotoi and Karenia brevis, has been investigated. These species have been revealed to be mixotrophic; however, the mixotrophy of the other species should be explored. Moreover, although K. mikimotoi was previously known to be mixotrophic, only a few potential prey species have been tested. We explored the mixotrophic ability of Karenia bicuneiformis, Karenia papilionacea, and Karenia selliformis and the prey spectrum of K. mikimotoi by incubating them with 16 potential prey species, including a cyanobacterium, diatom, prymnesiophyte, prasinophyte, raphidophyte, cryptophytes, and dinoflagellates. Cells of K. bicuneiformis, K. papilionacea, and K. selliformis did not feed on any tested potential prey species, indicating a lack of mixotrophy. The present study newly discovered that K. mikimotoi was able to feed on the common cryptophyte Teleaulax amphioxeia. The phylogenetic tree based on the large subunit ribosomal DNA showed that the mixotrophic species K. mikimotoi and K. brevis belonged to the same clade, but K. bicuneiformis, K. papilionacea, and K. selliformis were divided into different clades. Therefore, the presence or lack of a mixotrophic ability in this genus may be partially related to genetic characterizations. The results of this study suggest that Karenia species are not all mixotrophic, varying from the results of previous studies.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.130-134
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• 1986

본 실험은 3종의 농약(butachlor, trichlorfon, BPMC)에 대하여 3가지 실험종인 S. subspicatus, M. rectirostris와 O. latipes에 대해 급성독성실험을 실시하여 급성독성을 평가하고 이를 기초로 하여 각 실험종간의 민감도를 비교하였다. 1) 제초제 butachlor의 96시간 및 48시간의 급성독성 값은 S. subspicatus가 0.23 mg/1, M. rectirostris는 1.3 mg/1, O. latipes 0.58 mg/1으로서 S. subspicatus에 대해 butachlor가 가장 높은 독성을 나타내었다. 2) 살충제 trichlorfon과 BPMC의 96시간 및 48시간의 급성독성값은 S. subspicatus에 대해 290 mg/1와 56 mg/1이상이었고, M. rectirostris에 대해서는 0.0011 ㎎/1와 0.011 ㎎/1, 그리고 O. latipes에 대해서는 70 ㎎/1와 11mg/1였다. 따라서 갑각류인 M. rectirostris가 이들 농약에 대한 감수성이 가장 높았다. 3) 급성독성값의 비율로 농약별 실험종간 민감도를 비교해 보면 제초제 butachlor에는 S. subspicatus가 가장 민감한 실험종이며, 살충제 trichlorfon, BPMC에 대해서는 M. rectirostris가 가장 민감한 실험종임이 판명되어 차후 각종 화학물질의 급성독성 실험시에는 실험된 3종 모두를 이용한 실험방법이 요구된다.