• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.744-750
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• 2010

This study examined the different polyphenism of larval salamander Hynobius ieechii according to two habitats, pond and stream. We collected salamander's eggs from three regions including Mountain Inwang, Surak and Gwangju. Eggs were treated by four different conditions according to predation level and habitat: high risk - which had a predation risk three times a day; low risk - which had no predation risk, pond and stream habitat. Predation risk was conducted by using chemical cue from Chinese minnows. The chemical cue treatment started from the day of collection and ended one week after the hatching. After the treatment phase, we measured the head width at the level of the eyes(HWE) and the largest head width(LHW) and snout-vent length of the each larva. We calculated the ratio of the head size by dividing HWE by LHW and made a comparison with each of the average ratio of head size according to the predation risk. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the ratio of the head size and snout-vent length according to the predation risk and habitat. From these results we found that predation risk and habitat condition can cause the different polyphenism to the larval salamander and these morphological changes could be affect their mortality.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2023

Captive breeding and reintroduction are crucial strategies for conserving endangered species populations. However, fish raised in predator-free environments, show a lack of recognition of predationrelated stimuli such as chemical and visual signals. It is critical to recognize chemical signals from injured conspecifics, also known as alarm signals, and the order or shape of predators to indicate the spread of predation risk in the habitat. We conducted a laboratory experiment to determine and adjust the optimal exposure period to induce appropriate anti-predator behavior response to different types of stimuli (Chemical, Visual and Chemical+Visual) for the endangered species Microphysogobio rapidus. Our results demonstrate that predator avoidance behavior varies depending on the types of stimuli and the duration of predation risk exposure. First, the results showed captive-breed M. rapidus show lack of response against conspecific alarm signal (Chemical cue) before the predation risk exposure period and tend to increase response over predation risk exposure time. Second, response to predator (visual cue) tend to peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, but show dramatic decrease after 72 hours cumulative exposure. Finally, response to the mixed cue (Chemical+visual) tend to peak prior to the predation risk exposure period and show reduced response during subsequent exposure periods. This experiment confirms the lack of responsiveness to conspecific alarm signals in captive-bred M. rapidus and the need for an optimal nature behavior enhancement program prior to release of endangered species. Furthermore, responsiveness to predator visual signal peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, suggest an optimal predation risk exposure period of up to 48 hours.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2020

In 2016, the two-spotted cricket was approved as a general food ingredient by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Additionally, the two-spotted crickets have high protein content (60%) and can be reared throughout the year even during the overwintering period. In this study, storage conditions were set in case cricket breeding was not possible due to problems such as breeding space and labor costs, and selection oviposition mats to determine high fecundity rates and low cannibalism rates for the eggs were investigated. The oviposition mat was mostly composed of soil (p < 0.05). Less than 62 crickets per 10 litters were found to be best suited for 1 day of spawning, based on the cannibalism rate of the eggs during the egg laying period. The results from the hatched eggs indicated that the hatching extended 12 to 14 days, and the best hatching rate was approximately 85% when stored at low temperatures(16℃) for 10 days. An efficient production proposed method that established the best oviposition mat and egg storage method for the cricket.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2015

Fruit drop due to Eurytoma maslovskii infestations of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) is a serious economic issue in most parts of Jeonnam Province, with the exception of the coastal areas such as Wando, Shinan, Yeosu, and Muan. The average incidence of fruit drop was 67% in 2013 and 33.3% in 2014. E. maslovskii larvae overwinter inside the pits of Japanese apricots. Larval survival rates decrease to less than 30% after a rainy summer season. The eggs are long oval of 0.68 mm, 0.29 mm and ivory white. Mature larva is of 6.56 mm, 3.18 mm. Free pupa are black, adult females and males of 6.97 mm, 4.90 mm lengths, respectively, while the ovipositor is 0.64 mm in length. Adult emergence occurs from early April to early May, when Japanese apricot fruits are from 4 mm to 17 mm in diameter. Adults persist for 13.5 d after emergence, and the sex ratio of females to males was found th be 45.9:54.1. Although up to four eggs may be oviposited per fruit, only one larva will ultimately survive, ans the larvae are cannibalistic. The period during which E. maslovskii is able to oviposit on Japanese apricots only lasts from mid- to late April (fruit diameter: 12~16 mm). When the diameter of the fruit is >16 mm, the pit of the Japanese apricot hardens and larvae have difficultly penetrating the stone. Therefore, the most effective method of controlling this pest is to spray orchards with a control agent 2~3 times, at 5 d intervals, beginning in mid- April.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.603-617
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• 2018

This study surveyed the diversity and community characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates and freshwater fish, which are the main animal classifications in a hydro ecosystem, from May to September 2017 in the western plains of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The results showed a total of 125 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 66 families, 19 orders, and four phyla in the streams and wetlands. Among benthic macroinvertebrates, Coleoptera (27 spp.: 21.60%) was the largest group in terms of species richness followed by Odonata (26 spp.: 20.80%), non-Insecta (22 spp.: 17.60%), and Hemiptera (11 spp.: 8.80%) occupying in the lentic area. Of the feeding function groups (FFGs), predators (51 spp.: 56.67%) showed a relatively larger presence, indicating the dominance of hygrophilous invertebrates that usually inhabit the freshwater wetlands or ponds. Of the habitat oriented groups (HOGs), climbers (33 spp.: 24.44%) and burrowers (17 spp.: 12.59%) were the dominant groups. This observation is typical in a slow flowing habitat and can lead to the disturbance of the ecosystem due to cannibalism among predators. Cannibalism can be caused by stress induced by various population and environmental factors. For the ecosystem services benchmark (ESB) value, site 13 appeared to be the highest with 82 marks while other sites showed relatively lower rates and indices (III water quality class with ${\alpha}$-mesosaprobic). The analysis result of stability factors showed that almost all sites were evaluated to be the I characteristic group with high resilience and resistance or the III characteristic group that was sensitive to environmental disturbance and formed uneven and unstable communities. Of the freshwater fishes, 46 species (3,405 individuals) belonging to 39 families and 18 orders were identified in all the investigated sites. Among them, Cyprinidae (30 spp.: 65.2%) was the largest group, and Zacco koreanus was identified as the dominant species (728 individuals, 21.4%). The survey of freshwater fish communities found both stable communities (sites 7 and 13) with low dominant index (0.39) and high diversity index (2.29) and unstable communities (sites 2, 3, 8, and 10) in opposite tendency. This survey found five Korean endemic species, 17 species belonging to the export controlled species, two endangered species level II (Lethocerus deyrollei and Cybister chinensis), and rare species (Dytiscus marginalis czerskii) among benthic macroinvertebrates. The survey also found an invasive species, Ampullarius insularus, which was distributed throughout the whole area and thus can continuously disturb the ecosystem in the western plain area in the DMZ. Of freshwater fish, one natural monument (Hemibarbus mylodon) and three endangered species level II (Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia macrocephalus, and G. brevibarba) were observed. The survey also found four introduced species (Pomacea canaliculate, Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus, Micropterus salmoides) in the western DMZ area, indicating the need for the protection and conservation measures.