• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.295-299
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• 2023

Two land snails, Aegista chejuensis (Pilsbry and Hirase, 1908) and Plectotropis quelpartensis (Pilsbry and Hirase, 1908), are endemic to Korea and were collected from Hataedo and Jodo Islands in the Yellow Sea of South Korea, respectively. Many terrestrial snail habitats have been confirmed in Korea; however, their genetic sequences have rarely been reported. This study describes the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences of two species, followed by an analysis of the genetic distance between these two species and their congeners. As a result, there was no intra-species variation in both species A. chejuensis or P. quelpartensis. However, the inter-species variation was clear (10.3-31.5%). We provide photographs and a brief diagnosis for morphological verification.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.347-363
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• 2009

The 15,389-bp long complete mitogenome of the endangered red-spotted apollo butterfly, Parnassius bremeri (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) was determined in this study. The start codon for the COI gene in insects has been extensively discussed, and has long remained a matter of some controversy. Herein, we propose that the CGA (arginine) sequence functions as the start codon for the COI gene in lepidopteran insects, on the basis of complete mitogenome sequences of lepidopteran insects, including P. bremeri, as well as additional sequences of the COI start region from a diverse taxonomic range of lepidopteran species (a total of 53 species from 15 families). In our extensive search for a tRNA-like structure in the A+T-rich region, one $tRNA^{Trp}$-like sequence and one $tRNA^{Leu}(UUR)$-like sequence were detected in the P. bremeri A+T-rich region, and one or more tRNA-like structures were detected in the A+T-rich region of the majority of other sequenced lepidopteran insects, thereby indicating that such features occur frequently in the lepidopteran mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analysis using the concatenated 13 amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences of PCGs of the four macrolepidopteran superfamilies together with the Tortricoidea and Pyraloidea resulted in the successful recovery of a monophyly of Papilionoidea and a monophyly of Bombycoidea. However, the Geometroidea were unexpectedly identified as a sister group of the Bombycoidea, rather than the Papilionoidea.

• 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.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2013

Oryzias latipes and Oryzias sinensis are indigenous species found in Japan, China, and other East Asian countries, including Korea. Based on morphological differences, the species have been classified distinctly. However, the range of morphological characters such as the number of gill rakers, vertebrae, and spots on the lateral body overlaps and is too vague for clear identification, so their classification based on their morphological characteristics remains uncertain. In this study, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, which is used for DNA barcoding, was applied to clarify interspecific variation of O. latipes and O. sinensis. Intraspecific genetic diversity was calculated to identify correlations with geographic distributions. We studied two species collected from 55 locations in Korea. All individuals carried a 679-base pair gene without deletion or insertion. Between species, 525 base pairs of the gene were shared. The Kimura two parameter (K2P) distance of O. latipes and O. sinensis was 0.41% and 1.39%, respectively. Mean divergence within genera was 23.5%. Therefore, the species were clearly different. The distance between O. latipes and O. sinensis was 14.0%, which is the closest within genera. Interestingly O. latipes from the Japanese and Korean group represented 16.5% distant. These results were derived from geohistorical and anthropogenic environmental factors. The O. latipes haplotypes were joined in only one group, but O. sinensis was divided into two groups, one is found in the Han River and upper Geum River watershed; the other is found in the remaining South Korean watersheds. Further studies will address the causes for geographic speciation of O. sinensis haplotypes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2023

The invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is native to south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Recently, it has been being spreading in the wild in South Korea. However, its primary sources, introduction routes, establishment, and expansion in South Korea remain unclear. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity and population genetic structures of its domestic natural populations during early invasion, commercial stock from local aquaria (a suspected introduction source), and original United States population using mitochondrial COI gene sequences for 267 individuals and eight microsatellite markers for 158 individuals. Natural and commercial populations of P. clarkii showed reduced genetic diversity (e.g., haplotype diversity and allelic richness). The highest genetic diversity was observed in one original source population based on both genetic markers. Despite a large number of individuals in commercial aquaria, we detected remarkably low genetic diversity and only three haplotypes among 226 individuals, suggesting an inbred population likely originating from a small founder group. Additionally, the low genetic diversity in the natural population indicates a small effective population size during early establishment of P. clarkii in South Korea. Interestingly, genetic differentiation between natural populations and the United States population was lower than that between natural populations and aquarium populations. This suggests that various genetic types from the United States likely have entered different domestic aquariums, leading to distinct natural populations through separate pathways. Results of our study will provide an insight on the level of genetic divergence and population differentiation during the initial stage of invasion of non-indigenous species into new environments.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.95-108
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• 2012

Using genetic sequencing (COI-5P, LSU, $rbc$L) to elucidate their phylogenetic positions and then morphological characters to distinguish each from existing species, three procumbent species, including two novel species, from warm temperate Northern Hemisphere waters are added to the recently resurrected genus $Halopeltis$ J. Agardh: $H.$ $adnata$ (Okamura) comb. nov. from Korea, $H.$ $pellucida$ sp. nov. from Bermuda and $H.$ $willisii$ sp. nov. from North Carolina, USA. Prior to these reports, the genus was confined to the Southern Hemisphere and tropical equatorial waters of the Northern Hemisphere although the latter records lack molecular confirmation. These three additional species join the six known species presently residing in $Halopeltis$.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.133-150
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• 2012

Amynthas tralfamadore sp. nov. is described from the Mt Halla, Jeju Island biosphere exhibition housed at NIBR Incheon. This species' taxonomy is problematical since it is similar to Amynthas masatakae (Beddard, 1892) from Japan, itself previously reported from Korea and at one time associated with Amynthas campestris (Goto & Hatai, 1898) and A. parvicystis (Goto & Hatai, 1899), all three variously implicated in prior A. robustus (Perrier, 1872) along with Amynthas aspergillum (Perrier, 1872). Based on reinspection of the London lectotype of A. masatakae-here designated and sketched for the first time-the current solution is for maintenance of all five taxa separately. A closely-related Japanese species-Metaphire ryunome sp. nov.-is comparable to Korean Metaphire reisuiensis (Kobayashi, 1938) comb. nov. Another specimen was identified as Amynthas micronarius (Goto & Hatai, 1898), a new record for Korea. It matches the newly-designated neotype (Tokyo NMST An446) and an annotated synonymy is provided; however, erstwhile synonyms, Amynthas shimaensis (Goto & Hatai, 1899) and A. yamizoyamensis (Ohfuchi, 1935) combs. novae, are briefly redescribed and provisionally restored to the Japanese list. mtDNA COI-5P barcode analyses support species identifications.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.215-229
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• 2018

In this study, the phylogenetic relationships among the genera Alsidium C. Agardh and Bryothamnion $K{\ddot{u}}tzing$ were investigated. Phylogenetic analyses using the plastid-encoded markers rbcL, psbA, and the mitochondrial barcode region (COI-5P) resolved a well-supported clade that included the species Alsidium corallinum, Bryothamnion seaforthii, and B. triquetrum. Our results indicated that taxonomic recognition of the genus Bryothamnion is not supported and two species of Bryothamnion are reallocated to Alsidium. A reexamination of the morphological definition of Alsidium is provided with an updated diagnosis of the genus and a morphology-based comparison of species that are currently circumscribed under this generic name. Furthermore, we reviewed morphological differences and similarities between Alsidium and the genus Digenea, both belonging to the tribe Alsidieae, discussing the most relevant morphological characters.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.185-202
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• 2013

In this study, we present the nearly complete mitogenome sequences of the garden chafer, Polyphylla laticollis manchurica, which is listed as an endangered species in Korea. The P. l. manchurica mitogenome, which includes unfinished whole A+T-rich region and a partial srRNA was 14,473-bp long, possessing typical sets of genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes). Gene arrangement of the P. l. manchurica mitogenome was identical to the common one found in the majority of insects. The 5 bp-long motif sequence (TAGTA) that has been suggested to be the possible binding site for the transcription termination peptide for the major-strand was also found in the P. l. manchurica mitogenome between $tRNA^{Ser}$(UCN) and ND1. The start codon for COI gene and ATPase8 was designated as a typical TTG. All tRNAs of the P. l. manchurica showed a stable canonical clover-leaf structure of other mt tRNAs, except for $tRNA^{Ser}$(AGN), DHU arm of which could not form stable stemloop structure. As has been previously determined, the high A/T content was unanimously observed in P. l. manchurica in terms of A/T bias in the third codon position (73.5%) compared with the first (66.4%) and second codon position (66.2%). The PCGs encoded in major-strands are slightly T-skewed, whereas those of the minor-strand are A-skewed, indicating strand asymmetry in nucleotide composition in the Coleoptera including P. l. manchurica.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2021

The crustose brown algal genus Endoplura has been known as a monotypic genus characterized by its intercalary plurangial reproductive structures composed of 2-4 separate parallel filaments terminated by 2-5 sterile cells and by containing several to many chloroplasts per cell. In this study, Endoplura jejuensis sp. nov. and E. koreana sp. nov. from Korea are newly described based on molecular and morphological analyses. Our phylogenetic analyses of the rbcL gene reveal that E. jejuensis sp. nov. and E. koreana sp. nov. are placed in the same clade with "E. aurea" from Japan with a strong bootstrap supporting value. E. jejuensis is characterized by small and light to dark brown crustose thalli of less than 1 cm diameter, tufts of hairs arising from the basal disc, plurangia composed mostly of two separate parallel reproductive filaments terminated by 2-4 sterile cells, and sessile unangia each with a single paraphysis. E. koreana is distinguished by olive or yellowish-brown crustose thalli of up to 3 cm diameter, tufts of hairs arising from the basal disc, and apical parts of erect filaments, plurangia with 2-5 separate reproductive filaments terminated by 2-8 sterile cells, and sessile unangia with 1-2 paraphyses. Our studies also show that "E. aurea" specimens from Japan may be recognized to be a different species from other Endoplura species.