• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.153-158
• /
• 2014

A natural intergeneric hybrid between Rhodeus pseudosericeus and Acheilognathus signifer was collected in their sympatric area, the Jucheongang (stream), the Namhangang (river), Korea. Morphological characters as well as mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt-cyb) gene were investigated to confirm the natural hybrid origin. In the comparison of morphological characters, the natural hybrid appeared to have intermediate characters between two parental species in several key characters such as the band of dorsal fins, the color pattern of body, and the body spot and stripe. Also, the collected specimen had an incomplete lateral line with a large number of pored scales. In analysis of mt-cyb gene, it revealed that the maternal species of the natural hybrid appeared to be R. pseudosericeus due to their 100% sequence identity. Thus, such results gave convincing evidence for the occurrence of a natural intergeneric hybrid between Rhodeus pseudosericeus and Acheilognathus signifer.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.275-285
• /
• 2020

Two specimens presumed to be hybrids of Rhodeus pseudosericeus and R. notatus were collected from the Sangcheon Stream of the Han River, Korea. The body color of natural hybrid individuals was yellowish brown, showing the intermediate characteristics of R. pseudosericeus and R. notatus, but overall, the characteristics of R. notatus were similar. Meristic and morphometric characters, the number of dorsal fin rays, anal fin rays and longitudinal row scales showed a hybrid index (HI) of 0, indicating the characters of R. notatus. The hybrid index of predorsal length (HI=74.6), preanal length (HI=75.3), and preventral length (HI=77.6) were similar to the characters of the R. pseudosericeus. Also four characters were appeared to have intermediate characters between R. pseudosericeus and R. notatus; number of gill rakers (HI=55.3), body depth (HI=67.9), snout length (HI=43.4), and inter orbital width (HI=44.8). The rest of 14 characters deviated between 0 and 100, showing unique characteristics of hybrid individuals. Recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1) analysis, hybrids were identified as natural hybrids due to the overlapping peaks of their parent species. Also, as a result of analysis using the cytochrome b gene (COB), one individual was derived from R. pseudosericeus, while the other was derived from R. notatus.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2021

A male, presumed to be an intergeneric hybrid between Tanakia lanceolata and Rhodeus pseudosericeus, was collected in the Boryeong Daecheoncheon Stream flowing into the Yellow Sea in the Republic of Korea. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed to discriminate the definite origin of the estimated natural hybrid. As a result of the morphological analysis, the color of the dorsal and anal fin rays edges of the natural hybrid individual, the upper and lower body colors followed the morphological characteristics of T. lanceolata, and that blue longitudinal stripe in the center of the caudal peduncle, the incomplete lateral line, and the barbels absent followed the morphological characteristics of R. pseudosericeus. In addition, as a result of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the natural hybrid showed a nucleotide sequence similarity of 99.82 to 100% with T. lanceolata, and the maternal species was identified as T. lanceolata. As a result of the recombination activating gene 1 (rag1) gene analysis of nuclear DNA (nDNA), the natural hybrid showed double peaks pattern reflecting both the single nucleotide polymorphism sites (38 bp) between T. lanceolata and R. pseudosericeus, and the paternal species was identified as R. pseudosericeus. Therefore, a natural hybrid estimated male of Acheilognathinae analyzed in this study was found to be an intergeneric hybrid between a female T. lanceolata and a male R. pseudosericeus.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.266-272
• /
• 2006

The egg development and early life history of Korean endemic bitterling Rhodeus pseudosericeus were observed under the controlled water temperature, $17.0{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. Fertilized eggs are opaque yellow in color, measuring 2.9~3.1 mm in length and 1.6~1.9 mm in breadth. The eggs of this species began to hatch about seventy hours after insemination and the range of total length of larvae were 3.2~3.4 mm. The larvae reached at the heterotrophic stage about twenty-five days after hatching. R. pseudosericeus had a pair of wing-shaped yolk projection during the prelarval stage that is a common character of the genus Rhodeus.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.266-279
• /
• 2019

We investigated the characteristics of fish communities and habitat status of endangered species Rhodeus pseudosericeus in Heuk Stream, a tributary of the Han River, from April to October 2018. During this period, we collected 47 species of 14 families from 10 survey stations using kick nets, cast nets, and long bag set nets. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco platypus (37.6%) and Z. koreanus (13.8%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Squalidus gracilis majimae (11.1%), Pungtungia herzi (7.7%), Rhodeus pseudosericeus (5.0%), Microphysogobio yaluensis (4.3%), and Hemibarbus longirostris (3.0%). Among the fish collected, 19 species (40.4%) were Korean endemic species. Endangered species were R. pseudosericeus and Acheilognathus signifer while exotic species were Micropterus salmoides and Oncorhynchus mykiss, and land-locked species were Plecoglossus altivelis and Rhinogobius brunneus. The community analysis showed that the dominance and evenness indexes were mostly low and that the diversity and richness indexes were high. Moreover, the river health (index of biological integrity) was mostly excllent (1 site is good, 9 sites are very good). R. pseudosericeus inhabited widely from St. 3 to St. 9 in Heuk Stream, and its population size was large. Age groups for R. pseudosericeus estimated by the frequency distribution of total length in spawning season (April) indicated the 32~45 mm group as 1-year old, the 46~59 mm group as 2-years old, 60~69 mm group as 3-years old, and the 70~89 mm group as 4-years or older. Total length range of male and female was similar, and the sex ratio of female (426) to male (394) was 1 : 0.95. A. signifer, which had been released in Heuk Stream, inhabited from St. 4 to St. 5, but its population size was small. Lastly, this paper discusses a conservation plan for fish in Heuk Stream.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.151-162
• /
• 2023

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and inhabiting status of the endangered species, Rhodeus pseudosericeus, in the Geumdang Stream in Korea from March to October 2021. A total of 1,698 fish in 5 families and 25 species were collected from 7 survey stations during the survey period. The dominant species was Zacco platypus (relative abundance, 46.5%), and the subdominant species was Squalidus gracilis majimae (16.7%), followed by Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (12.0%), Z. koreanus (5.7%), Pungtungia herzi (3.2%), R. pseudosericeus (2.0%), R. notatus (1.9%), and Acheilognathus rhombeus (1.8%). Nine Korean endemic species (36.0%) were collected, including R. pseudosericeus, R. uyekii, Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, S. gracilis majimae, Z. koreanus, Cobitis nalbanti, Iksookimia koreensis, and Odontobutis interrupta. An exotic species, Micropterus salmoides, designated as an invasive alien species (IAS), was collected downstream. The investigation of the habitat patterns of the endangered species (class II), Rhodeus pseudosericeus, showed a habitat range of about 6 to 7 km in the middle of Geumdang Stream (RP-1 to RP-4), and this species inhabited the edge with water depths of 0.3 through 1.0 m with slow water flow and many aquatic plants. According to the community analysis results, the overall dominance and evenness indexes were low, while diversity and richness indexes were high, and the cluster structure was largely divided into upstream and middle-downstream areas. The river health (fish assessment index) evaluated using fish was assessed as good (3 stations), normal (3 stations), and bad (1 station), and water quality was evaluated as good both upstream and downstream. Compared to previous studies, the number of species was relatively similar, and among the species that appeared in the past, 13 species did not appear in this survey, while 6 species appeared for the first time in this survey. Disturbance factors included river construction, many weirs, and the appearance of the ecosystem-disturbing species, M. salmoides. Since Geumdang Strem has high conservation value because it is home to many species in the Acheilognathinae subfamily, including the endangered species R. pseudosericeus, continuous attention and systematic conservation measures are required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.246-262
• /
• 2024

The survey conducted from 2018 to 2020 aimed to investigate the changes in fish fauna and community characteristics in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, Korea. During the survey period, 35 sites were selected, resulting in the collection of 7,817 fish belonging to 12 families and 40 species. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus, with a relative abundance of 34.5%, followed by Z. platypus at 28.7%. Other significant species included Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.3%), and Squalidus gracilis majimae (4.3%). Notably, four protected species - Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Cottus koreanus, designated as class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment- were identified. These species predominantly inhabit the middle and lower reaches, except for Gobiobotia brevibarba, which is found in the upper reaches. Nineteen species, accounting for a 47.5% endemism rate, were endemic to Korea. The study also noted the presence of one climate-sensitive species, Cottus koreanus, and two exotic species, Carassius cuvieri and Micropterus salmoides. Community analysis indicated a trend of decreasing dominance and increasing diversity and richness from upstream to downstream, with a distinct division into uppermost reaches, upper reaches, middle and lower reaches, and lakes. The construction of the Hwaseong Dam has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the fish community. The habitat and abundance of endangered species such as R. pseudosericeus, A. signifer, and G. brevibarba decreased dramatically immediately after the dam's construction, transforming the submerged area from lotic to lentic environments. Approximately 20 years later, the habitats have stabilized, leading to an increase in the fish population and a recovery of the previously diminished endangered species. The river health (FAI) was also evaluated, with 27 sites rated as very good (A), seven as good (B), and one as fair (C). However, endangered species such as A. signifer continue to face threats from dam and river construction, while C. Koreanus has experienced a severe population decline due to river works. Additionally, the presence of the ecosystem-disrupting species M. salmoides in Hwaseong Lake raises concerns. To ensure a stable habitat for fish in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, it is crucial to avoid indiscriminate river construction, urgently implement restoration policies for endangered species such as A. signifer, and develop management strategies to control the spread of invasive species such as bass.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2020

This study investigated spawning characteristics of Hangang bitterling, Rhodeus pseudosericeus inside the host mussel, Unio douglasiae sinuolatus at the Heukcheon Stream in Korea from April to June 2017. 327 mussels were collected, among them, 34 (14.1%) were spawned mussels of R. pseudosericeus with glochidia. The mean number of R. pseudosericeus embryos with or without glochidia by the mussel gill position was 5.0±3.58 (range, 1~8) vs. 2.8±2.13 (1~9) in the left outer demibranch, 1.5±0.96 (1~3) vs. 1.7±0.82 (1~3) in the left inner demibranch, 1.4±0.51 (1~2) vs. 2.1±1.85 (1~6) in the right inner demibranch, and 6.4±4.82 (1~20) vs. 3.0±1.86 (1~6) in the right outer demibranch. The frequency of R. pseudosericeus embryos with or without glochidia by the mussel gill position was 82.6% vs. 73.4% in the left outer demibranch, 17.4% vs. 9.4% in the left inner demibranch, 26.1% vs. 15.6% in the right inner demibranch, and 58.7% vs. 67.2% in the right outer demibranch. The mean number of R. pseudosericeus embryos with or without glochidia was 8.5±6.43 (1~23) vs. 4.5±3.38 (1~14). The number and frequency of R. pseudosericeus embryos were higher in the mussel with glochidia and the outer demibranchs than those without glochidia and with inner demibranchs.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 2017

Reproductive characteristics of Rhodeus pseudosericeus (Pisces: Acheilognathinae) was investigated at the Heukcheon (River), Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Korea from January to July in 2012. This fish prefers heavily vegetated stagnant pool with Phragmites japonica and Salix koreensis and area with high proportions of sand and mud. The standard length of the population indicated that 13~22 mm group is 0-year old, 30~45 mm group is 1-year old, 45~55 mm group is 2-year old and 45~70 mm group is more than 3-year old (June in 2012). The sex ratio of female to male was 1 : 0.80. The spawning season was from March to June with water temperatures in the range $11.0{\sim}26.2^{\circ}C$. The embryos were found with no egg mass in Unio douglasiae sinuolatus and the number of those was 1~22 ($5.8{\pm}5.51$). The number of the embryos found in each of the four parts of the mussel gill was 1~9 ($2.7{\pm}2.16$) in left outer, 1~2 ($1.5{\pm}0.71$) in left outer, 1~5 ($1.8{\pm}1.79$) in left outer and 1~22 ($5.8{\pm}5.51$) in left outer.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.100-106
• /
• 2018

The distribution aspect and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Rhodeus pseudosericeus were investigated from 2012 to 2017 in Korea for the subject of this study. The number of appearance sites in the past literature of available and identified R. pseudosericeus was 26. During the study period, the samples of R. pseudosericeus were collected in 44 sites (Hangang River 35 sites, Sapgyocheon Stream 4 sites, Daecheoncheon Stream 5 sites) among the noted 214 sampling stations investigated. Among these, the newly appearance streams were Ilricheon Stream, Samsancheon Stream, Bangyecheon Stream and Hanpocheon Stream in the Hangang River. In addition, the habitats and populations in the upper Seomgang River (Hoengseong Dam), lower Heukcheon Stream, Muhancheon Stream and Daecheoncheon Stream decreased due to dam construction, river work, water pollution, and the spread of the exotic species Micropterus salmoides. The main habitat of R. pseudosericeus was the middle-upper stream of clean water with slow water velocity, sand-pebble bottoms and lots of aquatic plants. Given this evidence as noted for the 30.2% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, due to the qualitative decline of habitat, the overfishing risk of ornamental fish and the spread of M. salmoides, in this case R. pseudosericeus is considered to be Vulnerable (VU A2cde) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.