• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2008

This study was conducted to determine clutch size and habitat usage of Kentish plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) breeding on Sinja-do lslet in the Nakdong Estuary from 22 April to 12 July in 1995 and from 21 April to 20 June in 1996. The Kentish plover preferred grasslands and damp sands to dry dunes as nesting sites. The difference in hatching success among these microhabitats was attributed to high tides, which washed away many nests on damp sands, and strong winds, which frequently shifted the sand to bury eggs on dry dunes. The main mortality factor in grasslands was predation by magpies Pica pica. Each clutch contained one to four eggs, with a mode of three eggs. Hatching success was highest in two-egg clutches and lowest in one- and four-egg clutches. The mean interval for egg laying was 1.8 days between the first and second eggs and 2.1 days between the second and third eggs. The average incubation period was about 24.2 days.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2016

In this study we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution and preferred habitat type of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) based on the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey. Kentish plovers were observed in 97 maps out of a total 842 maps (11.8%) between 2006 and 2012, mainly along the western and southern coasts of Korea. They were also observed in the eastern coast of Korea, inland rivers (Han, Geum, Nakdong, Seomjin, and Yongsan River), the western and eastern coast of Jeju island, and Daecheong Island in the Yellow Sea. The observations were mainly made during the spring breeding season and migration seasons in spring and autumn. The occurrence of kentish plovers was positively influenced by the area of water and wetland according to the middle classification level of land cover type analysis and the area of coastal wetlands in the detailed classification level of land cover types. Most (90%) of the kentish plovers recorded maps had coastal wetlands. Kentish plovers were known to be susceptible to change of habitat. As the occurrence of kentish plovers could be associated with the habitat-change of coastal wetlands and it is possible to estimate the number of individuals, it is recommended that kentish plovers be used as a bioindicator species for the ecological assessment of ecosystem in intertidal zones.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2023

The Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus ; family Charadriidae; genus Charadrius) is a small bird that moves from continent to continent depending on the season. On the Kentish Plovers, phylogenetic studies have been widely conducted to classify different species or subspecies and to determine the time of speciation. However, the perspectives on the interspecific or intraspecific relationships in the phylogenetic analysis of Kentish Plovers remain debatable. Here, we reviewed the differences between the Kentish and Snowy Plovers (C. nivosus ) in terms of their morphology, ecology, and genetic information. Particularly, their differences in genetic information can be well demonstrated; however, the intraspecies differences in the populations that live in different environments can relatively be poorly explained. We suggest that not only genetic features but also morphological, ecological, and behavioral traits are important when comparing the Kentish Plovers with other species, such as the Snowy Plovers, in phylogenetic studies. Furthermore, we suggest that phylogenetic studies on the subspecies of the Kentish and Snowy Plovers should be conducted for their better identification.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2004

This study was about heavy metal accumulation in liver and kidney of Shorebirds migrating to yeongjong and Sammok Island. Zinc concentration was highest in liver(76.7 ㎍/wet g) and kidney (65.7 ㎍/wet g) of Limosa lapponica to Yeongjong Island. In case of manganese, the highest accumulation in liver was Tringa nebularia to Yeongjong Island, and in kidney was Charadrius alexandrinus, to Sammok Island, respectively 4.68㎍/wet g, 18.6㎍/wet g. Copper concentration was th highest that in liver(25.4㎍/wet g) was Limosa lapponica to Yeongjong Island, in kidney(11.7 ㎍/wet g) was Tringa cinereus to Sammok Island. Calidris ruficollis to Sammok Island was the highest accumulated lead and concentration was 17.0㎍/wet g in liver, 40.2 ㎍/wet g in kidney. Lead concentration was more in kidney than in liver. Cadmium concentration in liver was the highest accumulated Calidris alpina(0.73±0.26 ㎍/wet g) to Yeongjong Island, in kidney was the highest accumulated Charadrius alexandrinus(4.89±1.49 ㎍/wet g) to Yeongjong Island. Cadmium concentration was higher in kidney than in liver to all species. Therefore, lead and cadmium concentration was more to Yeongjong than to Sammok Island in liver and kidney except Calidris tenuirostris.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.160-169
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• 2019

The migration status of waterbirds inhabiting the 10 coastal wetlands in the south and west coasts (Jangbongdo, Muuido, Daecheoncheon estuary, Seocheon tidal flat, Yubudo, Gomso bay, Hauido, Jeungdo, Doam bay, Gangjin bay) was examined from May 2008 to March 2013. For the most dominant taxonomical group, shorebirds accounted for 37.5% of the number of species and 67.1% of the total population, followed in the order of dabbling ducks, herons, and seagulls. The dominate species were Calidris alpina, Larus crassirostris, Limosa lapponica, Charadrius alexandrinus, and Calidris tenuirostris. Shorebirds were observed most at Seocheon Tidal Flats and Yubudo Island, and dabbling ducks were found most in Doam Bay. Diving ducks were observed most at Gangjin Bay and seagulls were seen most frequently at Seocheon Tidal Flats. The ten coastal wetlands of the western and southern coasts were divided into three groups according to the similarity index of waterbirds (Ro). Group 1 was the area where dabbling ducks and diving ducks were dominant, group 2 was the area where shorebirds were dominant, and group 3 was the area where seagulls were dominant. It was evident that there were differences in species composition depending on the regional environments.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.85-118
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• 2001

Studies on Gymnophalloides seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) and human infections are briefly reviewed. This minute intestinal fluke was first discovered from a Korean woman suffering from acute pancreatitis and gastrointestinal troubles. It was described as a new species by Lee, Chai and Hong in 1993. The southwestern coastal village where the patient resided was found to be a highly endemic area, and additional endemic areas have been identified. The parasite is very small, 0.33-0.50 mm long and 0.23-0.33 mm wide. and characterized by the presence of a ventral pit. The first intermediate host remains unknown, but the second intermediate host has been found to be the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Man and the Palearctic oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus have been shown to be natural definitive hosts , and wading birds including the Dentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus are highly susceptible to experimental infection. Gerbils, hamsters, cats, and several strains of mice were also susceptible laboratory hosts. In experimentally infected mice, the parasites inhabit the small intestine, pinching and sucking the root of villi with their large oral suckers, but they did not invade beyond the mucosa in immunocompetent mice. However, they were found to invade the submucosa in immunosuppressed mice. Human G. seoi infections have been found in at least 25 localities; 23 islands on the Yellow Sea or the South Sea, and 2 western coastal villages. The highest Prevalence was found in a village on Aphaedo. Shinan-fun (49% e99 Positive rate) : other areas showed 0.8-25.3% prevalence. Infected people complained of variable degrees of gastrointestinal troubles and indigestion. The infection can be diagnosed by recovery of eggs in the feces; however, an expert is needed to identify the eggs. Praziquantel, 10mg/kg in single dose, is effective for treatment of human infections. Eating raw oysters in endemic areas should be avoided.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.545-550
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• 2006

Ten supernormal clutches of little terns Sterna albifrons and seven clutches having mixed eggs by little terns and kentish plovers Charadrius alexandrinus were recorded during the breeding seasons of 2003$\sim$2005 at Ganwol lake, Hongsung-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. The frequency of egg retrieval by Little Terns was higher after the second egg laying regardless of the clutch size and incubation stage. The frequency of egg retrieval was high at all incubation stage. When experimental eggs were placed within 15 cm from the nests, the percentage of egg retrieval was highest (almost 100%). However the percentage dropped rapidly over 35$\sim$55 cm range and finally to zero at 60 cm distance. Little terns retrieved all kinds of eggs set near their nests regardless of its kind or size. This study suggests that egg retrieval by little terns may be a source of the nest with supernormal and mixed egg clutch observed in this species.