• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2018

This study aimed to develop a species identification method for the egg and fry of the three Korean bitterling fishes (Pisces: Acheilognathinae), including Acheilognathus signifer, Acheilognathus yamatsutae and Rhodeus uyekii based on the PCR-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) markers. We conducted a field survey on the Deokchicheon River from the North Han River basin, where the three Acheilognathinae species co-occur, and also analyzed the existing sequence dataset available from the GenBank. We found coexistence of the three species at the study site. The egg and fry were obtained from the host mussels (Unio douglasiae sinuolatus) by hand from May to June 2015 and in May 2017. To develop PCR-based RFLP markers for species identification of the three Acheilognathinae fish species, restriction enzymes pinpointing species-specific single nucleotide variation (SNV) sites in mitochondrial DNA COI (cytochrome oxidase I) and cyt b (cytochrome b) genes were determined. Genomic DNA was extracted from the egg and fry and RFLP experiments were carried out using restriction enzymes Apal I, Stu I and EcoR V for A. signifer, A. yamatsutae and R. uyekii, respectively. Consequently, unambiguous discrimination of the three species was possible, as could be seen in DNA band patterns from gel electrophoresis. Our developed PCR-based RFLP markers will be useful for the determination of the three species for the young and would assist in studying the spawning patterns and reproductive ecology of Acheilognathinae fishes. Furthermore, we believe the obtained information will be of importance for future maintenance, management and conservation of these natural and endangered species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.202-215
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the spawning preference of the Acheilognathinae fishes in relation to the shell size of host mussels after identifying the species of eggs and fries in the host mussel using our recently developed RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) molecular marker at four sites [Hongcheon Naechoncheon (HN) and Deokchicheon (HD) from the North Han River basin and Jeongseon Goljicheon (JG) and Joyanggang (JJ) from the South Han River] in South Korea during May in each year between 2015 and 2018. The Acheilognathinae fish observed in the studied sites included one species (Acheilognathus signifer) in HN and JG, three species (Rhodeus uyekii, A. signifer, and Acheilognathus yamatsutae) in HD, and two species (A. signifer and Acheilognathus yamatsutae) in JJ, and we collected 982 host mussels (Unio douglasiae sinuolatus) that inhabited in all four sites. Using the RFLP molecular marker, we confirmed 46 eggs and fry of the Acheilognathinae fish (454 A. signifer, 43 Acheilognathus yamatsutae, and 149 Acheilognathus yamatsutae) in Unio douglasiae sinuolatus (N=163; 16.6%). We compare the average shell length, shell height, and shell width of mussels with [presence] eggs/fry and mussels without [absence] eggs/fry to examine the spawning preference according to the size of host mussels in each site. The results show that the shell length (1.98 mm), shell height (0.85 mm), and shell width (0.73 mm) of mussels with the eggs/fry were significantly larger (Mann-Whitney U test, P=0.002; difference=1.98 mm) than those of mussel without eggs/fry in HD where three species cohabitated. Although the shell length, shell height, and shell width of mussels with the eggs/fry were larger also in the other three sites, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, we analyzed the mean number of spawned eggs and fry of each species and found $9.31{\pm}5.94$ R. uyekii, $2.86{\pm}2.45$ A.signifer, and $2.50{\pm}1.32$ A. yamatsutae. R. uyekii spawned 6.45-6.81 more eggs than A.signifer and A. yamatsutae on average per mussel, and it was statistically significant (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001). These findings indicate that the three species of Acheilognathinae fish tend to prefer larger mussels as their spawning hosts, and this tendency increases when the number of cohabitating bitterling fish species increases. Moreover, A.signifer and A. yamatsutae spawned a smaller number of eggs evenly in more host mussels while R. uyekii spawned many eggs on relatively fewer mussels. We found mussels (N=4) having the eggs/fry of two coexisting species, A. signifier and A. yamatsutae in HD and JJ where more than two bitterling fish species occurred. It suggests the interspecific competition taking place between the Acheilognathinae fishes for utilizing the same resource of mussels for spawning when two or more species cohabitate. This study is expected help to understand better the spawning patterns and reproductive ecology of the Acheilognathinae fishes, which will provide insightful information for advancing our understanding of their ecological relationships - mutualism or host-parasitism - with host mussels.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2019

The infection status with Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) was examined in freshwater fishes from Yangcheon (a branch of Gyeongho-gang), which is located in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, the Republic of Korea. Total 2,201 fishes in 26 species were examined by the artificial digestion method through 7 years. CsMc were detected in 1,171 (53.2%) fishes in 21 spp. (80.8%) and their density was 85 per fish infected. Total 532 (99.6%) out of 534 Pungtungia herzi (index fish) examined were infected with 147 CsMc per fish infected. Metacercarial densities in this fish were highest in 2015 (179 CsMc), followed by 2012 (168), 2013 (152), 2016 (145), 2014 (114), and 2017 (89) respectively. In the gobioninid fish group, i.e., P. herzi, Sarcocheilichthys spp., Squalidus spp., Pseudogobio esocinus, Hemibarbus longirostris, and Hemibarbus labeo, 841 (92.7%) fishes were infected with 117 CsMc per fish infected. Total 250 (54.7%) acheilognathinid fish (bitterlings), Acheilognathus spp. and Acanthorhodeus spp. were infected with 5.8 CsMc. In the rasborinid fish (chubs) group, i.e., Zacco platypus, Zacco temminckii, and Zacco koreanus, 77 (13.7%) out of 563 fish examined were infected with 2.4 CsMc in average. The susceptibility indices of CsMc were 49.09 in the overall positive fish group, 104.15 in the gobioninid group, 3.17 in the acheilognathinid group and 0.35 in the rasborinid fish group respectively. Only 1 CsMc was detected in 3 fish species, Coreoperca herzi, Channa argus, and Lepomis macrochirus, respectively. Conclusively, it was confirmed that CsMc are moderately prevalent in fishes from Yangcheon in Sancheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2019

Majangcheon is a small agricultural stream which is located in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do. To understand ecological characteristics of Majangcheon as biological habitats, we surveyed its physical environment and fishes from June 2016 to September 2016. The altitudinal difference between lowest and highest point of the stream was 3 meters and the first-order stream under a map drawn on a scale of 1:25,000. The flow rate of stream was slow in overall with $0.09-0.48m{\cdot}s^{-1}$. More than 50% of clay were found in all points except for the point St. 3 in the riverbed structure surveyed. A total of 2,532 individuals of 22 species in nine families were collected from Majangcheon. Of them, stillwater-living species (Acheilognathinae and Carassius auratus) and floating species (Zacco platypus and Oryzias sinensis) were mainly collected. In Majangcheon, thus, both of stillwater-living and floating fishes were specifically coexisted. The correspondence analysis, based on fishes collected from Majangcheon and past research, showed that Majangcheon is closer to the flat streams in Gyeonggi-do rather than the mountainous streams in Gangwon-do but it appeared as an independent group from those of two regions. As a result, Majangcheon is a stream with specificity of fish community.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.198-209
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• 2008

During studies of the fish fauna and communities of Mankyeong River, which flows to the Yellow Sea, 14 families in 44 genera and 63 species of freshwater fishes were caught. Zacco platypus (27.7%) was the dominant species and Z. koreanus (11.3%) the subdominant species in this river. Twenty-three species of Korean endemic fishes appeared, and two of these, Pseudopungtungia nigra and Liobagrus obesus, represented endangered Korea species. Community structure of each branch stream was stable, showing appropriate dominant species: Z. koreanus in Jeonju Stream, Z. platypus in Kosan and Soyang Streams, and Carassius auratus in Mankyeong main stream. Three introduced species appeared: C. cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides, and Lepomis macrochirus. Among these introduced species, M. salmoides expanded its territory from midstream to downstream because of its strong carnivorous tendency and it favoring of lentic waters. This distribution of M. salmoides affected the number and distribution of small native freshwater fishes, especially those in the subfamily Acheilognathinae.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2008

An eco-washland is increasingly getting attentions as a new alternative plan for management of water resources because of role as flooding control and ecological park without social and ecological side effects. However, there is a lack of study regarding technological development and ecological guidelines to create eco-washland. This study was carried out to suggest ecological guidelines necessary for engineering process to create eco-washland. A study site was the lower reach of Seokjang stream connecting to Yimjin river, a candidate of new eco-washland, and Kumsa area in Namhan river was selected as a reference site. The analysis of ecological characteristics focused on vegetation, fishes, and birds. Major vegetation communities, composed of dominant species such as Salix koreensis, Salix gracylistyla, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Phragmites communis, etc., formed physical conditions along with other land uses including open water, sandbar, cultivated land, etc. Dominant species of fishes were some species belonging to Cyprinidae and Acheilognathinae, and in case of birds Anser albifrons, Anas platyrhychos, Anas poecilorhyncha belonging to waterbirds and Paradoxornis webbinanus dependent to forest edge were dominantly distributed. The results showed that complex wetland types associated with partially deep water and upland was the optimal eco-hydrological condition of washland. Cyprinidae and Acheilognathinae in case of fish and Egretta spp. (spring season) and Anas spp. (winter season) in case of bird were selected as target species for the these wetland types. Finally, a detail planning criteria to create habitats of these target species were discussed in terms of spawning, breeding, feeding, resting, refuge, nesting, etc.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1994

Morphology of glochidia of two species of Unionidae mussels, Unio douglasiae and Anodonta woodiana were studied based on SEM, and their attachment on Acheilognathus yamatsutae(Acheilognathinae) was observed in the experimentally infected fishes. The glochidia were round-triangle in shape and possessed larval threads, hooks, hooklets, and sensory hairs. Glochidal attachment and cyst formation of the fish were observed without regard to feeding habit and habitat. Density of glochida on the fish (Acheilognathus yamatsutae) was in the order of pectoral fin, dorsal fin, gill and caudal fin. The host fish became encysted about 5-10 hours to the glochidia, and the glochidia detached about 5-6 days after attachment at water temperature $26{\pm}1^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2011

In this study we described reproduction study of Korean endemic species, Acheilognathus koreensis and three other acheilognathinae species A. signifer, Rhodeus pseudosericeus, and R. uyekii. Morphology of egg shape and larvae just hatched is unique by the species respectively. There is no interrelation factor between size of female and number of spawned eggs per one time. Minium water temperature for spawning of A. koreensis was observed in $13.0^{\circ}C$ having low hatching rate with 43.5 percent. The egg of A. koreensis began to hatch approximately 79 hours after insemination. As higher as water temperature until $22.0^{\circ}C$ hatching elapsed time for developing eggs of A. koreensis and three species in this study was shortened. A. koreensis was grew up to be a adult enough which can be join to new production for three hundred days after hatching with 52.4 mm in total length. This reproduction study will be applied to preservation of Korean endemic fresh water fishes basically.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.229-246
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• 2023

The bitterling (Cyprinidae, Acheilongnathinae) is a temperate freshwater fish with a unique spawning symbiosis with host mussels. Female bitterlings use their extended ovipositors to lay eggs on the gills of mussels through the mussel's exhalant siphon. In the present study, in April of 2020, we investigated spawning frequencies and patterns of three bitterling fish species in host mussel species in the Nakdong River basin (Hoecheon). During field surveys, a total of four bitterling and three mussel species were found. We observed bitterling's spawning eggs/larvae in the three mussel species: Anodonta arcaeformis(proportion spawned: 45.5%), Corbicula fluminea(12.1%), and Nodularia douglasiae (45.2%). The number of bitterlings' eggs/larvae per mussel ranged from 1 to 58. Using our developed genetic markers, we identified the eggs/larvae of each bitterling species in each mussel species (except for A. macropterus): A. arcaeformis (spawned by Acheilognathus yamatsutae), C. fluminea (A. yamatsutae and Tanakia latimarginata), and N. douglasiae (A. yamatsutae, Rhodeus uyekii, and T. latimarginata). Approximately 57.6% of N. douglasiae mussel individuals had eggs/larvae of more than one bitterling species, suggesting that interspecific competition for occupying spawning grounds is intense. This is the first report on bitterling's spawning events in the Asian clam C. fluminea from Korea; however, it should be ascertained whether bitterling's embryo undergoes successful development inside the small mussel and leaves as a free-swimming juvenile. In addition, the importance of its conservation as a new host mussel species for bitterling fishes needs to be studied further.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.128-138
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• 1998

Comparative studies on the morphological characters of the circumorbital bone were made in order to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of the family Cyprinidae. In this paper, forty four species from Korea and three species of Gobiobotia and Saurogobio dabryi from China were studied. Pungtungia herzi, Pseudopungtungia nigra and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus were similar in morphological structure on points of the first infraorbital elongated. In Hemibarbus, the base portion of the opened sensor canal was transformed into a lateral plate in the infraorbital. Microphysogobio was characteristic in that the infraorbital series were large, and had close relationship with Pseudogobio esocinus and Saurogobio dabryi. Gobiobotia were reduced to a bony canal with dermal bone. Culter brevicauda had a short supraorbital. Cyprininae were characterized by larger fourth and fifth infraorbitals. Leuciscinae were divided into two groups: Moroco and Zacco. The former includes Phoxinus phoxinus, Moroco oxycephalus and Moroco kumgangensis, and the latter includes Zacco platypus, Zacco temmincki and Opsariichthys bidens. Moroco group was distinguished from Zacco group in points of having a short supraorbital and a elongated the first infraorbital.