• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2006

A closely associated set of characteristics was analyzed using both classical and truss dimensions to discriminate the morphometric traits of three species of torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) in Korea. After arcsine square root transformation, 18 measurements relative to the standard length and three measurements relative to the head length of each species of torrent catfish were compared statistically. Classical and truss dimensions of each of four morphometric traits showed higher values in the bullhead torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus, than the Korean and south torrent catfish (L. andersoni and L. mediadiposalisa, respectively; P<0.05). Truss dimensions of three morphometric traits were higher in the bullhead and Korean torrent catfish than in the south torrent catfish (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in six morphometric traits among these Amblycipitidae. The dimensions used in this study may be useful as taxonomic indicators to discriminate species of Liobagrus in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2006

Histological observations of the barbels of torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) in Korea are reported. The bullhead torrent catfish (Liobagrus andersoni) and Korean torrent catfish (L. obesus) have eight obvious barbels in two pairs each on the maxilla and mandible. Each barbel is composed of an epidermis, dermis, and central cartilagerod. The epidermis of the maxillary and mandibular barbels of the bullhead torrent catfish is thicker than that of the Korean torrent catfish (P<0.05) and is formed of stratified epithelium that contains many cutaneous taste buds and a few small club cells. There are many taste buds on the upper part of each barbel. The dermis consists of loose connective tissue fibers that enclose blood vessels and bundles of nerve fibers. The barbels of these fish can be categorized into stiff and flexible types and are accessory, feeding, and sensory structures. Our results validate the barbels as gustatory receptor organs for these fishes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the skeletal development of bullhead torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus larvae and to utilize them as basic data for the taxonomic study of Liobagrus larvae. Skeletal development was observed by being divided into cranium, visceral skeleton, shoulder girdle bone, pelvic girdle bone and vertebra. On the first day after hatching, the pre-larvae had an average total length of 7.92 mm, and a line-shaped parasphenoid ossified in the cranium. In the jaw bone, the dentary supporting the lower jaw and the maxillary supporting the upper jaw were ossified. In the anterior abdominal vertebrae of the vertebra, seven centrums began to ossify and five neural spines ossified simultaneously. On the 3 day after hatching, pre-larvae had an average total length of 8.95 mm, and the prefrontal ossified in cranium. The number of abdominal vertebrae was increased to 14, and three parapophysis developed from the front side. On the 24th day after hatching, post-larvae had an average total length of 15.2 mm and the epural bone ossified in coccyx. The parhypural bone was ossified, and ossification of coccyx and pelvic girdle bone was completed. On the 30th day after hatching, the average total length of the juvenile was 17.8 mm, and the ossification of cranium and visceral skeleton was all completed while the preorbital and three suborbitals were ossified in the orbital region of the cranium.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 1995

One new and one the first recording digenetic trematodes are described from Korean freshwater fishes : Orientocreadium koreanum sp. nov. from Liobagrus andersoni Regan (Korean torrent catfish) and O. psedobagri Yamaguti, 1934 from Pseudobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson) (Korean bullhead). The problems of the family Orientocreadiidae and the major identifying characters of O. koreanum are discussed.