• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2016

The distribution of fish (Cobitidae and Cyprinidae) and amphibians together with related environmental factors were surveyed at 30 randomly selected rice-fields (15 flooded unmanaged rice fields (FUR) and 15 unflooded managed rice fields (UMR)) near the Yedang reservoir in Korea, eight times from May to August in 2012. The total number of species captured from the entire survey area was 13 species with 8 families of fish and 5 species of amphibians. The number of species of Cyprinidae fish captured in FUR was higher than that in UMR. Upon the comparative analysis on the distribution of fish and amphibians in FUR and UMR, it was found that the number of Cyprinidae fish captured in FUR was significantly higher than that in UMR while the number of Cobitidae fish captured in UMR was higher than that in FUR. According to the analysis on the environmental factors that affect the distribution of fish, Cyprinidae fish tend to appear in rice-fields, that were flooded in winter, near the Yedang reservoir while Cobitidae fish tend to appear in rice fields that draws its water supply from forest reservoir and have a good water drainage system. In case of amphibians, the number of tadpoles captured in UMR was higher than that in FUR. Rana catesbeiana was dominant in FUR and Rana nigromaculata was dominant in UMR. Upon the analysis on the environmental factors that affect the distribution of tadpoles, it was found that Rana catesbeiana tadpoles tend to appear in rice fields, that were flooded in winter, near Yedang reservoir while Rana nigromaculata tadpoles tend to appear near mountains and far from the Yedang reservoir.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 1994

The census of Amphibia fauna in Tokyusan National Park was carried out during April 10, 1993 and August 8 - August 9, 1993 at the areas of construction field of golf course in Muju Resort and the Chibong. There were 6 species of 5 genera on the 4 families, 2 orders of Amphibia in Tokyusan National Park including Hynobius leechii. Onychodactylus fischeri, and Bufo bufo gargarizans which were announced the specific wild animals with the object of conserving by The Ministry of Environment. At the area of construction field of golf course in Muju Resort, there were 5 species of Amphibia observed as Hynobius leechii, Bombina orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Rana nigromaculata, and Rana dybowskii. Onychodactylus fischeri and Rana dyhowskii were observed at the Chibong area. The Chibong inwhich was observed 9 relatively large number of individuals of Onychodactylus fischeri was revealed as an environmentally sound habitat to Onychodactylus fischeri. Whereas in the construction field of golf course, there were intended to diminishing species and population size rapidly by progress with construction works. Therefore the large construction works such as golf couse and ski slopes which were concerning to deteriorate the natural environment should be restrain in National Park for animal diversity conservative.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.425-432
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• 2015

Pollution in the fresh water system in urban area has the adverse effect on the amphibians population. Restoration activity of amphibian in the urban stream has been growing in Korea as well as western country. For successful restoration water quality of urban stream should be sufficient for survival and normal development of amphibian. To monitor the biological safety of surface water in the Tancheon basin, the capital area of Korea, a 6-day exposure Bombina orientalis embryo developmental toxicity assay was examined. The toxicity of surface water of Tancheon mainstream were lower than those of tributaries of Tancheon. The survival rate of embryos negatively correlated with total dissolved solid, turbidity and electrical conductivity whereas the developmental abnormality and growth retardation of embryos was positively correlated with total dissolved solid, turbidity and electrical conductivity. An amphibian developmental toxicity assay would be helpful for the selection of point for construction of habitat and reintroduction of amphibian in interrupted urban stream.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.175-189
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to analyze characteristics of distribution of amphibian species and the affecting ecological factors. For the study, habitat environment factors were determined and applied to a habitat suitability model for the data collected from the Seom River in Hoengseong County and Wonju City, Gangwon Province, Korea between March 2013 to October 2013. The analyzed amphibian species were Rana nigromaculata, Hyla japonica, Rana dybowski, and Rana rugosa Temminck and Schlegel, and a logistic regression model was used with the pseudo-absence data. The result of the model analysis suggests that the major factors for Rana nigromaculata are distance to vegetation and rock and that for Hyla japonica is waterway. Rana dybowski and Rana rugosa Temminck and Schlegel have similar habitat characteristics, but the latter is shown to be dominant due to its wider habitat preference. According to the species richness model, the analyzed amphibian species are shown to have tendency to move between valleys or streams. This study quantitatively analyzed habitat environment characteristics using species distribution model, however, there is a limitation in terms of analysis on food factor and connectivity with other species. Combined with additional density or habitat analysis on birds or fish, this study can lead to more comprehensive analysis on biological environment factors.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.103-114
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• 1979

The authors observed the ultrastructure of the granular glands in the amphibian skin with an electron microscope. The specimens from the experimental animals (Bombina orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Rana nigromaculata and Rana rugosa) were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde fixative in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2 prior to fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in graded ethanol and acetone, embedded in Epon 812 mixture, and sectioned with a LKB-ultramicrotome. the ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed with a JEOL-100B electron microscope. The results were as follws: 1. The granular gland in the amphibian skin consisted of the glandular epithelial and the myoepithelial cells. 2. The epithelial cells of the granular gland in the amphibian skin consisted of the dark cells but the light cells were also observed in that of Bombina orientalis. 3. The granular glands of the amphibian skin were in holocrine fashion. 4. The nuclei of the epithelial cells of the amphibian cutaneous granular glands were round or oval and showed small and large inforldings of nuclear envelope. Heterochromatins were mainly distributed near the nuclear envelope. Mitochondria were mainly distributed in the perinuclear portion and rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulums were developed in the cytoplasm but smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulums were not well developed. 5. Secretory granules were round or oval and electron-dense and less electron-dense granules were observed. 6. The authors infer that the differences in electron density of the secretory granules in the granular glands of the amphibian skin are due to difference in the concentrations of secretory substances as related to the processes of its formation, and that those chemical components are identical.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.184-190
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• 1997

Herpetofauna in Soraksan National Park was carried out both Apr. 27, Apr. 28, 1996 and Aug. 19, Aug. 20, 1996. 6 stecies of 4 Families in Amphibian and 2 species of 2 Families in Reptilian were observed in this survey. It was observed relatively poor biota to other National Park that caused to excessive visitor and impacts by divelopments. Onychodactylus fischeri which was revealed Specific Endangered Animal assigned by Minister of Environmemt distributed abundantly along the Chohangnyong. So Chohangnyong should be conserved by prolonging the Year of Natural Rest.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 1998

Herpetofauna of the Naesorak in Sorasan National Park was carried out both June 30, 1997~July 3, 1997. 6 species of 5 Families in Amphibian and 3 species of 3 families in Reptilian were observed in thes survey. It was observed relatively poor biota to Kaya, Sokri, and Chri National Park in Korea. There were three Specific Endangered Animal assigned by Minister of Environment such as Bufo stejnegeri, Rana dybowskii and Eremius argus. Especially Eremius argus was abundantly distributed around Limansuryonjang. So Limkansuryonjang should be conserve for Eremias argus's stable environmental condition.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2011

Aquatic contamination by organic pollutants has been a suspected reason for rapid decrease of amphibian populations whose embryonic and larval stages are in an aquatic environment. Amphibian embryos can be a useful model to study the ecoctoxicologial impacts of aquatic pollutants. The obtained toxicological data are useful references for the management of aquatic pollutants in public health because amphibia share many developmental events with terrestrial vertebrates including humans. Safety guidelines for the toxicological effects of aquatic contaminants of chemicals identified as hazardous should be addressed at multiple endpoints. Alkylphenols have been widely-used in agricultural, industrial, and household activities; they contaminate and can persist in aquatic environments. Exposure to alkylphenols results in endocrine disruption in aquatic animals. In this review, we summarize the developmental toxicities of alkylphenols in amphibian embryos and larva according to the exposure route, chemical concentration, duration of exposure, and affected developmental stage together with mechanisms of toxicity and typical patterns of developmental abnormality. The merits of amphibian embryos as a toxicity test model for mid- to long-term exposure to aquatic pollutants are discussed proposed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2008

Bombina orientalis, or Korean fire-bellied toad is belonging to Class Amphinia, Order Anura, Family Bombinatoridae, Genus Bombina. Ecological characteristics, such as small size, slow moving and swimming, gentle attitude to other species, under laboratory and/or wild condition lead the toad as suitable experimental animals with easy handling. Seasonal reproductive biology except breeding season (usually from Apr. to late Jun.) are unknown still caused by sampling methods for hibernating specimens have not been established yet. Most species of amphibian, include B. orientalis, are declined around the world related with global warming, therefore, wild caught specimen for any purposes must be limited controled soon. Even though, some pre-studies of biotope for increasing biodiversity have been reported, construction of an artificial biotope to get natural breeding cycling specimen for study of amphibian reproduction is unique modelling and only trial. In an effort to set year-round sampling for study of reproduction of B. orientalis, we suggest protocols for planning, construction manual and SOP(Standard Operation Process) to manage amphibian biotope. During pilot operation of a designed and constructed biotope, the seasonal acclimation during winter hibernation of B. orientalis were successful. It will be helpful for studying the reproductive biology of wild amphibians in temperate region and allow to get reasonable research conditions in amphibian laboratory.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 2014

The distribution of animals is affected by habitat selection, and habitat type and prey resource are important factors affecting their survival. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution pattern of the Red-tongue viper snake (Gloydius ussuriensis) with respect to altitude, habitat type and distribution of potential prey resource in Cheon-ma mountain, Korea. The study area of Cheon-ma mountain was separated into three altitude categories (low, middle, and high altitude) and the habitat types were categorized according to presence or absence of aquatic ecosystem and the preferred habitat in relation to altitude was determined. The distribution pattern of Red-tongue viper snakes was significantly different according to altitude and habitat type: they were mainly distributed at low altitude and in the water valleys. The distribution pattern of the Red-tongue viper snake correlated with that of amphibians. The analyses of microhabitat use of the Red-tongue viper snake and amphibians showed that their microhabitat types were not different significantly in water valleys. In conclusion, Red-tongue viper snakes were mainly distributed in the water valleys at low altitude and this is because amphibians are important as potential prey of the Red-tongue viper snake in Cheon-ma mountain.