• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2013

Chironomid adults were collected by light traps at night, sweeping on grasses, during daytime hours, sweeping of swarming males with an insect net, and aspiration of light-attracted adults using a sucking tube. The collected specimens were slide-mounted and examined. I identified two species new to science, namely Orthocladius manhaei n. sp. and Ablabesmyia jeongi n. sp., and three species for the first time in Korea: Paratrichocladius tamaator Sasa, 1981, Rheocricotopus chalybeatus (Edwards, 1929) and Hayesomyia tripunctata (Goetghebuer, 1922). This is the first report of the genera Rheocricotopus and Hayesomyia in Korea. The genus Hayesomyia in the tribe Pentaneurini of Tanypodinae has a Holarctic distribution with only one species recorded from each of the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2024

Chironomus is a large genus of Diptera comprising about 400 species and occurs worldwide except for Antarctica. The strong morphological cross-taxon similarity of chironomid larvae renders identification at the species level difficult. Here, we analyzed the morphology of larvae of Chironomus flaviplumus, an easily cultured species employed as a bioindicator in polluted environments, to determine identifying morphological characteristics at the first through fourth instar. Observed differences appearing at each instar include the presence or absence of setae on the body and tubules on the 10^th and 11^th body segment, the number of seta interna in the mandible, and the presence or absence of ring organs in the antennae. Some specific morphological characteristics did not change after hatching. Our findings provide a reliable method for identifying C. flaviplumus larvae.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 1996

Non-biting midges fchironomidae, Dipteral are one of the largest insect families, which are distributed worldwidely and are found in nearly all types of inland waters. They are known to be aggressive inhalant allergens which cause allergenic diseases. In this study, the crude antigens of Chironomus SavipLumn adults which are most widely distributed in Korea were extracted. and their allergens were analysed with the sera from experimentally sensitized mice. The mice were immunized with $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}{\;}or{\;}10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}$ of the crude antigens, respectively, and the specific serum IgE levels were measured by both ELISA and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) techniques. The highest levels of both total IgE and chironomid-specific IgE were found in the mouse sera obtained after 9 weeks of the first infection with $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}$ crude antigen. The crude antigen was separated into 16-18 protein bands on gel by SDS-PAGE. The crude extract was assessed by SDS-PAGE/immunoblot analysis. One IgE-binding band (65 kDa) was detected by developing with colorimetric substrate, and 4 IgE-binding bands (65, 52, 35 and 25 kDa) by developing with CSPD chemiluminescent substrate. The SDS-PAGE gel of the crude extract of chironomid adults was equally cut into 30 pieces and each of them was eluted to isolate proteins by molecular weight, and the allergenicity of each eluate was assessed by applying P-K test on rats. Proteins of 65, 35 and 15 KDa showed the highest P-K titer (${\times}512$) which was 16 times higher than that of the crude extract (${\times32}$). The P-K titer of 52 kDa protein was also 4 times higher ($128{\times}$) than that of the crude extract, whereas the 25 kDa protein poorly responded, which seemed not antigenic. In conclusion, the present result in mice demonstrated that adults of Chironomus fcuiplumus, a predominent species in Korea, cause allergenic diseases and the main allergens are 65, 52, 35 and 15 kDa proteins, of which 65 kDa protein seems to be a main allergen.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.159-165
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• 2006

Numerical simulation of turbulence flow in a circulating channel was performed. The RNG $k-\varepsilon$ model and Reynolds stress model of the FLUENT was used for evaluating the flow mechanisms. The simulation results were compared with the experimental data measured by a ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocitmeter). The distribution of chironomids was analyzed by the computational results. They distributed at the region of lower velocities and lower turbulence intensity. In the case of a hemisphere structure being located on the straight section, chironomids lived in the upstream and downstream area of the hemisphere. The secondary currents also affected the distribution of chironomids. In conclusion, the computational fluid dynamic techniques can be inexpensively applied for analysing the relationship between flow characteristics and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2009

Habitat environment and feeding habitat of Iksookimia koreensis and Cobitis lutheri were investigated in the Mangyeong River, Jeollabuk-do, Korea from 2005 to 2006. They together inhabit the upper and middle stream, but they showed differences in their microhabitat. I. koreensis inhabited the stony zones of relatively rapid waters with a water depth of 30~60 cm, whereas C. lutheri lived in the sandy zones of relatively slow waters with a depth of 30~100 cm. The two species were active during daylight hours from March to October but hibernated in the winter season. During hibernation I. koreensis still lived in the gravel and stone and C. lutheri burrowed in the sand. I. koreensis ingested mainly chironomid and other aquatic insects, whereas C. lutheri fed mainly on Chironomidae, Copepoda and Branchiopoda. The feeding rate of both species was highest in April and September, but they did not feed in the winter.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.289-292
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• 2020

Yemen has been faced with the worst cholera epidemic of modern times, with more than 1 million suspected cases and 3000 deaths at the time of writing. This problem is largely due to the longstanding civil war between pro-government forces and the Houthi armed movement, which has severely damaged already vulnerable sanitation and healthcare facilities and systems in the country. It is further compounded by a dire lack of basic amenities, chronic malnutrition, and unfavourable weather conditions. Another contributory component may be aerial transfer by cholera-infected chironomid insects. To contain the spread of cholera in Yemen, a nation-wide armistice should be negotiated, and national and local committees must be convened to coordinate efforts on the ground. Community isolation facilities with proper sanitation, reliable disposal systems, and a clean water supply should be set up to isolate and treat sick patients. The continuity of vaccination programmes should be ensured. Public health campaigns to educate local communities about good hygiene practices and nutrition are also necessary. The One Health paradigm emphasizes a multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary understanding and approach to prevent and mitigate the threat of communicable diseases. This paradigm is highly applicable to the ongoing cholera crisis in Yemen, as it demands a holistic and whole-of-society approach at the local, regional, and national levels. The key stakeholders and warring parties in Yemen must work towards a lasting ceasefire during these trying times, especially given the extra burden from the mounting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak worldwide.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.3 s.117
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• pp.413-417
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• 2006

Gammarus sobaegensis, a common amphipod crustacean in Korean mountain streams, was experimented in the laboratory in terms of two environmental factors, medium and temperature conditions, which are essential in laboratory rearing. Individuals of G. sobaegensis were collected from a small spring outlet beside Gapyeong stream in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, in December 2003. Survivorships of G. sobaegensis were evaluated from the effect on rearing media (distilled water: DW, tap water: TW, chironomid rearing medium: CM, and stream water: SW) and temperatures (10, 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$). As a result, G. sobaegensis was higher in survivorships at TW followed by SW, CM, and DW and at $10^{\circ}C$ followed by 15, 20 and $25^{\circ}C$.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.11B no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 2004

In order to extract and analyze complex features of the behavior of animals in response to external stimuli such as toxic chemicals, we implemented an adaptive computational method to characterize changes in the behavior of chironomids in response to treatment with the insecticide, diazinon. In this paper, we propose an energy minimization model to extract the features of response behavior of chironomids under toxic treatment, which is applied on the image of velocity vectors. It is based on the improved active contour model and the variations of the energy functional, which are produced by the evolving active contour. The movement tracks of individual chironomid larvae were continuously measured in 0.25 second intervals during the survey period of 4 days before and after the treatment. Velocity on each sample track at 0.25 second intervals was collected in 15-20 minute periods and was subsequently checked to effectively reveal behavioral states of the specimens tested. Active contour was formed around each collection of velocities to gradually evolve to find the optimal boundaries of velocity collections through processes of energy minimization. The active contour which is improved by T. Chan and L. Vese is used in this paper. The energy minimization model effectively revealed characteristic patterns of behavior for the treatment versus no treatment, and identified changes in behavioral states .is the time progressed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.385-393
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• 2007

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were studied after a small dam removal from the mid-section of the Gyeongan stream in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Quantitative sampling was conducted at immediately upstream (upper) and downstream (lower) sites from the dam as well as at the site where the dam was located (dam site: middle) using a Surber sampler (50$\times$50 cm, mesh 0.25 mm), four times (November 2004, May 2005, January 2006, and May 2006) after the dam removal. As a result, 46 species of benthic macroinvertebtates, belonged in 35 genera, 27 families, 11 orders, 5 classes, and 4 phyla, were sampled from the stream sites, but the number of species that occurred at each sampling trial was different (ranged 3$\sim$17 spp.) according to the seasons and sites. Approximately one year after the dam removal, the species number has in-creased and taxa composition has changed as the microhabitat became more heterogeneously due to a riffle formation in the upstream site. Chironomid larvae and tubificid worms, which are common in Korean urban streams, were the dominant species, while Hydropsyche kozhantschikovi was the 2nd dominant species at some sampling trials. In general, McNaughton's dominance indices decreased and Shannon species diversity indices increased approximately one year after the dam removal. Compositions of collector-filterers, clingers, and swimmers increased as hydropsychid caddisflies, heptageniid mayflies, and baetid mayflies increased, respectively, in the upstream site. The group pollution index and the ecological score using benthic macroinvertebrates both indicated that water environment has been improved in the upstream site after the dam removal.