Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회지)

Korean Society of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회)
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Current Status of Exotic Turtles Found in Jungnang Stream Located in Urban Area, Seoul, Republic of Korea

한국의 서울 도심에 위치한 중랑천의 외래거북 현황

  • Seung-Min Park (School of Biological of Sciences and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Jea-Hyeok Choi (School of Biological of Sciences and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Jung-Suk Lee (Citizen's movement for north environmental justice) ;
  • Ha-Cheol Sung (Department of Biological Sciences, Chonnam National University)
  • 박승민 (전남대학교 대학원 생물과학.생명기술학과) ;
  • 최재혁 (전남대학교 대학원 생물과학.생명기술학과) ;
  • 이정숙 (북부환경정의 중랑천사람들) ;
  • 성하철 (전남대학교 생물학과 )
  • Received : 2023.04.15
  • Accepted : 2023.06.29
  • Published : 2023.08.31
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Abstract

Invasive species are introduced for various purposes, such as pets and food, and the trade of reptiles among them has continuously increased due to their unusual or rare external character traits. As their imports increase, the number of exotic reptiles in the wild is also increasing, and most of the recently discovered exotic turtles have been found near urban areas. Therefore, this study aims to report the current status of exotic turtles inhabiting the Jungnang Stream in downtown Seoul, Republic of Korea. As a result of the survey, seven species of exotic turtles were identified: Chrysemys picta picta, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, T. s. troostii, and Mauremys sinensis. One native turtle species was found: Pelodiscus maackii. Six species are designated as "ecosystem disturbance species" in the Republic of Korea. The dominant species was P. concinna, and C. p. picta, which is still traded in pet shops, was also found. The results have confirmed the current status of exotic turtles in urban rivers, and it was determined that the results show that they are continuously entering the wild.

외래생물은 애완용 등의 목적으로 유입되고 있으며 파충류는 특이하거나 희귀한 생김새로 인해 거래량이 지속적으로 늘어나고 있다. 수입량이 증가함에 따라 야생에서 발견되는 외래거북의 수도 증가하고 있으며 최근에 발견된 외래생물은 대부분 도심지 근처에서 발견되었다. 따라서 본 연구는 서울 도심에 위치한 중랑천에 서식하는 외래거북 현황을 보고하고자 한다. 조사 결과 동부비단거북(Chrysemys picta picta), 리버쿠터(Pseudemys concinna), 플로리다붉은배거북(P. nelsoni), 붉은귀거북(Trachemys scripta elegans), 노란배거북(T. s. scripta), 쿰버랜드거북(T. s. troostii), 중국줄무늬목거북(Mauremys sinensis) 등 총 7종의 외래거북을 확인하였으며 국내종은 자라(Pelodiscus maackii) 1종이 확인되었다. 이 중 6종은 국내에서 생태계교란종으로 지정되어 있다. 가장 많이 발견된 종은 리버쿠터(P. concinna)로 나타났으며 현재 파충류 펫샵에서 거래중인 동부비단거북(C. p. picta)도 발견되었다. 이를 통해 도심하천의 외래거북 현황을 확인할 수 있었으며, 지속적으로 야생에 유입되고 있음을 보여주는 결과라 판단된다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

현지 조사를 직접 진행하신 '북부환경정의 중랑천사람들'분들게 감사드립니다.

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