• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2019

Pufferfish (Takifugu spp.) are economically important edible marine fish. Mistakes in pufferfish classification can lead to poisoning; therefore, accurate species identification is critical. In this study, we used the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) to design specific primers for six Takifugu species among the 21 domestic or imported pufferfish species legally sold for consumption in Korea. We rapidly and simultaneously identified these pufferfish species using a highly efficient, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system with the six species-specific primers. The results showed that species-specific multiplex PCR (multiplex species-specific polymerase chain reaction; MSS-PCR) either specifically amplified PCR products of a unique size or failed. MSS-PCR yielded amplification fragment lengths of 897 bp for Takifugu pardalis, 822 bp for T. porphyreus, 667 bp for T. niphobles, 454 bp for T. poecilonotus, 366 bp for T. rubripes, and 230 bp for T. xanthpterus using the species-specific primers and a control primer (ca. 1,200 bp). We visualized the results using agarose gel electrophoresis to obtain accurate contrasts of the six Takifugu species. MSS-PCR analysis is easily performed and provides identification results within 6 h. This technique is a powerful tool for the discrimination of Takifugu species and will help prevent falsified labeling, protect consumer rights, and reduce the risk of pufferfish poisoning..

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.297-307
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• 2018

The sugar beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii is a well known pathogen on Chinese cabbage in the highland fields of Korea. However, a race of cyst forming nematode with close morphological resemblance to H. trifolii was recently isolated from the same Chinese cabbage fields. Morphological species differentiation between the two cyst nematodes is challenging, with only minor differences between them. Thus, this study described the newly intercepted H. trifolii population, and reviewed morphological and molecular characteristics conceivably essential in differentiating the two nematode species. A comparison of morphometric measurements of both infective juveniles and vulval cones of cysts showed significant differences between the two cyst nematodes. When total RNA and genomic DNA were extracted from a mixed field population, COI genes and ITS regions were clearly amplified with primers of the two Heterodera species, suggesting that Heterodera population collected from the Chinese cabbage field consisted of a mixture of two species. COI and ITS of H. trifolii were predominantly amplified from nucleotides prepared from H. trifolii monoxenic population whereas those of H. schachtii were strongly detected in H. schachtii monoxenic cultures. Thus, this study confirms the coexistence of the two species in some Chinese cabbage fields; and the presence of H. trifolii in Korea is reported here for the first time.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 2012

DNA barcoding has been widely used in species identification and biodiversity research. A short fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence serves as a DNA bio-barcode. We collected DNA barcodes, based on COI sequences from 156 species (529 sequences) of fish, insects, and shellfish. We present results on phylogenetic relationships to assess biodiversity the in the Korean peninsula. Average GC% contents of the 68 fish species (46.9%), the 59 shellfish species (38.0%), and the 29 insect species (33.2%) are reported. Using the Kimura 2 parameter in all possible pairwise comparisons, the average interspecific distances were compared with the average intraspecific distances in fish (3.22 vs. 0.41), insects (2.06 vs. 0.25), and shellfish (3.58 vs. 0.14). Our results confirm that distance-based DNA barcoding provides sufficient information to identify and delineate fish, insect, and shellfish species by means of all possible pairwise comparisons. These results also confirm that the development of an effective molecular barcode identification system is possible. All DNA barcode sequences collected from our study will be useful for the interpretation of species-level identification and community-level patterns in fish, insects, and shellfish in Korea, although at the species level, the rate of correct identification in a diversified environment might be low.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2014

This research was performed in order to investigate the origin, standard compound, and structural and physical properties of honeybee venom which used as natural antibiotic ingredients to animal. We compared the nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) of honeybees were collected from Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam province and Suwon. As major constituent of honeybee venom, melittin was assayed by liquid chromatography. X-ray, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were utilized to examine the structural and physical properties of honeybee venom. Based on the 627bp sequence of COI, Apis mellifera ligustica was determinated honeybees collected from all six regions. Melittin content varied from 50.7 to 68.6 and averaged 59.8%. According to XRD analysis, honeybee venom showed regular crystal structure peaks at $2{\Theta}=8.5^{\circ}$ and $21.5^{\circ}$. DSC showed that the maximum degration temperature of powder was around $230^{\circ}C$. Through FT-IR analysis, we could identify cross-linking by the presence of peptide peak at 1,500~1,600 $cm^{-1}$. In conclusion, the origin of honeybee venom was Apis mellifera ligustica and effective ingredient standards was melittin content varied from 50.7 to 68.6 as natural antibiotic ingredients.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2011

The Scarites aterrimus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), is one of the carabid beetles dwelling exclusively on coastal sandy dunes. Habitat deterioration and equivalent activity have greatly concerned population declines in several species dwelling on the coastal sandy dunes. As a first step to establish long-term conservation strategy, we investigated the nation-wide magnitude and nature of genetic diversity of the species. As a first step, we sequenced a portion of mitochondrial COI gene, corresponding to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) from a total of 24 S. aterrimus individuals collected over nine sandy dunes belonging to four Korean provinces. The sequence analysis evidenced moderate to low magnitude of sequence diversity compared with other insect species distributed in Korean peninsula (0.152% to 0.912%). The presence of closely related haplotypes and relatively high gene flow estimate collectively suggest that there had been no historical barriers that bolster genetic subdivision. Population decline was postulated on the basis of several missing haplotypes that are well found in the species with a large population size. This interpretation is consistent with field observation of small population size in the coastal sandy dune habitats. The highest genetic diversity estimates were found in the coastal sand dune population of Seogwipo, Jeju Island, justifying a prior attention to the population, in order to sustain overall genetic diversity of the species. Further scrutinized study might be required for further robust conclusion.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2021

As the global demand for the carrageenophyte Kappaphycus is steadily increasing, its overall productivity, carrageenan quality, and disease resistance are gradually declining. In the face of this dilemma, wild Kappaphycus populations are viewed as sources of new cultivars that could potentially enhance production; therefore, assessment of their diversity is crucial. This study highlights the morphological and genetic diversity of wild Kappaphycus species obtained from two sites in the Philippines. Nucleotide alignments of available 5' region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI-5P) and cox2-3 spacer sequences of Kappaphycus confirmed the presence of K. alvarezii in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and K. striatus in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Based on the concatenated sequences of the COI-5P and the cox2-3 spacer, nine novel haplotypes were observed along with other published haplotypes. However, there was no relationship between haplotype and morphology. These newly recognized haplotypes indicate a reservoir of unutilized wild genotypes in the Philippines, which could be taken advantage of in developing new cultivars with superior traits. DNA barcodes generated from this study effectively expand the existing databank of Kappaphycus sequences and can provide insights in elucidating the genetic diversity of Kappaphycus species in the country.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 2021

On March 13, 2018 two postflexion larval specimens (18.28 mm and 16.80 mm in standard length) belonging to the family Cryptacanthodidae, suborder Zoarcoidei were collected from Sokcho and Gangneung in Gangwon Province. The family Cryptacanthodidae comprises 4 species worldwide: 3 in the North Pacific Ocean and 1 in the western North Atlantic Ocean. As a result of analyzing 620 bp of the mtDNA COI region, the two postflexion larvae collected in this study were identified as Cryptacanthodes bergi by 99.5% agreement with C. bergi adult registered in NCBI. Postflexion larvae of C. bergi are compressed with large eyes and radial pectoral fins and the anus located in front of the center of the body. Melanophores were intensively distributed along the dorsal midline, except for caudal peduncle, and sporadically distributed on the back of the anus. In addition, there were limited star-like melanophores on the back of the gut. This species showed 0.058 genetic distance when compared mtDNA COI region of C. aleutensis, and it was well distinguished in the distribution pattern of black vesicles of the head, count and measurement traits. Considering the morphological and ecological characteristics of this species, we suggest a new Korean name, " Gwisin-jang-gaeng-i ".

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.67-77
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• 2021

Salurnis marginella Guérin-Méneville, 1829 (Hemiptera: Flatidae) is an invasive species first reported in 2003 in Iksan, which is located in the mid-western region of South Korea, and subsequently found in the nearby regions in 2005. However, molecular-perspective reports on their invasive characteristics are not yet available. In this study, population genetic characteristics of Korean S. marginella were evaluated using the mitochondrial COI region and sequencing 124 individual samples collected in 11 Korean localities. A total of 12 haplotypes were identified with a maximum sequence divergence of 1.368% (9 bp). Haplotype diversity was relatively higher than that of other insect species invaded into Korea, providing 2-6 haplotypes per populations, indicating that introduction to Korea may have happened rather extensively and consistently. Nucleotide diversity (π) was the highest in Iksan but owing to the limited sample size (three individuals) from this locality, additional studies are required for drawing conclusive inference regarding the place of entry to Korea. Ulsan, the easternmost population in the present study, revealed nearly the lowest diversity estimates, such as the lowest H and the second-lowest π; a unique haplogroup with a higher frequency; and an independent genetic cluster, suggesting that the introduction of S. marginella to Ulsan was an independent event. Further collection in Korea and neighboring countries, including the original distributional range is necessary to elucidate the invasive dynamics of S. marginella

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the developmental characteristics and genetic diversity of seven populations of two-spotted crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)) raised in South Korea. Regarding the developmental characteristics of the species, we observed no statistically significant difference in the weight of the nymphs in the six populations we tested. After molting, although weight differences were observed between the populations in each stage of the developmental period, the average weight for each developmental stage was constant. We also analyzed mitochondrial COI gene sequences (DNA barcoding region) of the reared crickets collected from five insect farms and two national insect rearing facilities and the resultant sequences were analyzed together with the 12 sequences from foreign countries specimens obtained from public data. We detected six haplotypes from 111 specimens, indicating a low intraspecific genetic distance (~1.8%). The most dominant haplotype was overwhelmingly haplotype 1, which was found in all South Korean specimens and four specimens from China, Indonesia, and Germany. These findings indicate that the low genetic diversity of South Korean specimens can be explained by the fact that the G. bimaculatus population imported for feed from Japan in the early 2000s became a maternal group that spread throughout cricket farms in South Korea. In order to breed healthy cricket strains, it is necessary to increase genetic diversity by importing them from other countries through appropriate quarantine procedures.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.307-311
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• 2022

The genus Areotetes van Achterberg & Li, 2013 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae), which is endoparasitoid of mining or infesting of fruit dipterous larvae, have been reported for the first time in China. Currently, four species of the genus Areotetes have been known from the province Hunan and Fujian, China. In this study the genus Areotetes with Areotetes carinuliferus van Achterberg & Li, 2013 is reported for the first time from Korea. Material studied in the present study were collected by sweeping in Mt Gongchi, Eochungdo, Province Jeonbuk, Korea. Herein, diagnosis of genus, description, distribution, and diagnostic illustration of A. carinuliferus are provided. In addition, DNA barcode data of the partial gene of mitochondrial cytochorome c oxidase subunit I (COI) are included.