Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment (생태와환경)

The Korean Society of Limnology (한국수생태학회)
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Stress Responses of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in Relation to Habitats and Season

계절과 서식지 유형에 따른 국내 Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)의 스트레스 반응

  • Lee, Gun Joo (Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Cho, Hyun Jin (Department of Biological Sciences, Chonnam National Univerity) ;
  • Na, Jeong Eun (Department of Biological Sciences, Chonnam National Univerity) ;
  • Jang, Jae Min (Department of Biological Sciences, Chonnam National Univerity) ;
  • Jang, Jin Woo (Department of Biological Sciences, Chonnam National Univerity) ;
  • Lee, Hak Young (Department of Biological Sciences, Chonnam National Univerity)
  • Received : 2019.10.19
  • Accepted : 2019.12.12
  • Published : 2020.03.31
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Abstract

In order to understand the stress responses, we measured the concentration of stress hormones by using the fresh feces of wild otters in the Gwangju stream and Seomjin river during summer and winter in 2018. We compared seasonal and regional number of spraints (=otters' feces), temperature, altitude, water width, land cover, and water quality with stress hormones. The stress hormone levels were higher in summer than in winter, and significantly different to season and region. In addition, the number of feces were different according to the season and region, and showed a negative correlation with stress hormone. This study suggested assessing stress hormones as another promising method for the analysis of status of wild otters and it will contribute to establish the management and conservation policy, especially in urban area.

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References

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