• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2014

Community structure of fish and inhabiting status of natural monument and endangered species, Cobitis choii were investigated in the Baekgok Stream, a tributary of the Geum River drainage system of Korea from May to November 2012. Ten-15 fish species inhabited upper stream (St. 1~St. 3) with a Aa or Aa-Bb river type composed of mostly pebble and cobble bottoms. 15~21 species did middle stream (St. 4~St. 5) with Aa or Aa-Bb type composed of mostly cobble, boulder and pebble bottoms. Nine species did Reservoir Baekgok (St. 6) with composed of mostly mud bottoms, and Seven species did Reservoir Baekgok outflow (St. 7) with Aa-Bb type composed of mostly boulder and cobble bottoms. And 20~23 species did lower stream (St. 8~St. 9) with a Bb-Bc type composed of mostly cobble and sand bottoms. A total of 35 species belonging to ten families were found in the stream during the survey. The dominant species were in the order of Zacco platypus (34.7%), Pungtungia herzi (9.4%) and Microphysogobio yaluensis (9.0%). Other abundant species included Tridentiger bifasciatus (8.2%), Pseudogobio esocinus (5.9%), Carassius auratus (4.6%), Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (3.7%), Rhinogobius brunneus (3.0%). Among residing species, ten (28.6%) species were endemic to Korea, one (Cobits choii) was endangered, and two (Micropterus salmoides and C. cuvieri) were non-indigenous. Natural monument and endangered species, C. choii were only inhabited St. 5, and they are inhabited 30~100 cm in water depth, sand bottom and slowly velocity. Using the mark-recapture method, populations were estimated at $7,838{\pm}6,290$ individuals. Age group in May estimated from total length indicated that the 38~45 mm group is 0 year old, the 46~60 mm group is 1 years old, the 61~80 mm group is 2 years old, and the 81~93 mm group is more than 3 years old. Condition factor (${\times}10^5) was 0.36~0.39 and 0.35~0.38 for female and male, respectively, and they are 13.5% were infected with parasites (digenea). We are discussed the health status, threats and conservation strategies of C. choii in the Baekgok Stream.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2012

The distribution status and population size of the endangered species, $Cobitis$ $choii$, were investigated in the Guem River, Korea. From 1984~2004, this species occurred at 20 survey stations; however, their numbers have but rapidly decreased in recent years (2006~2011), during which time they were only observed at six stations. The area of their habitat is narrow and occurs in primarily downstream, sandy zones. Using the mark-recapture method, populations were estimated at 9,106 and 34,717 individuals for the main habitats of Baekgok and Ji Stream, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.271-284
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• 2014

The objectives of this research were to analyse the microhabitat of Cobitis choii which is designated as an endangered fish species (I) and national monument species in Korea (No. 454), and provide valuable information of suitable replacement habitat in the future for a conservation of the population with rapid decreases by environmental pollution. Sampling and microhabitat analysis in three streams such as Baekgok, Yugu and Gap Stream, known as one of the least habitats in Korea showed that the mean number of Cobitis choii observed was 2.6. This result indicated that the richness was too low, so the species conservation was very urgent. Optimal physical microhabitat of the population was determined as environmental conditions with > 60% sand with 1 mm particle size, optimal water depth of 20 - 60 cm in the habitats, and the optimal current velocity of < 0.4 m/s. Under the circumstances of the microhabitat, optimal water volume (discharge) was 0 - 2 m3/s in the each sectional analysis and this reach was mainly composed of the stream section with intermittant slow runs and pools. These microhabitats were largely disturbed by physical modifications of habitat and chemical pollutions due to direct influences of nutrient-rich water inputs from the urban area and intensive agricultural pollutants. For these reasons, optimal habitat replacement are required in the future for the conservation of the species.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.98-103
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• 2008

Genetic diversity and population genetic structure within or among three stream populations (Gab, Baekgok and Ji streams) of Korean endangered natural monument fish, Iksookimia choii, were assessed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). AFLP analysis using three primer combinations generated 104 to 106 AFLP bands, and percent polymorphic bands were similar in those three populations ranging 21.5 to 24.5%. Heterozygosity and genetic diversity within or among populations were quite low for all of these populations with average values ranging from 0.067 to 0.084 and from 0.076 to 0.087, respectively. Analyses of pairwise distance and genetic similarity among three populations of I. choii also revealed the similar results with very low genetic differentiation one another. Although pairwise Fst values were very low, our data clearly indicated distinct genetic differentiation among the three populations. This is the first report concerning the genetic diversity and differentiation of this species, and provides basic genetic information that should facilitate attempts to conserve this species.