• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2012

The neritid species Clithon retropictus inhabits rivers and estuaries along the southern coast of the Korean mainland but has not been previously reported from Jeju Island. In 2007 and 2011 specimens of this species were obtained from two separate localities on the south coast of the island. Comparisons were made with von Martens' original description, specimens from the Korean mainland, and illustrations and descriptions in the literature. Although there were some differences in color and markings, and slight differences in morphology, the specimens from Jeju Island compare well with those from the mainland and in the literature. The shells of this species become more ovate and more eroded with age. In one locality, a small river, specimens of the pleurocerid Semisulcospira libertina (Gould, 1859), were found adjacent to, and coexisting with, a population of C. retropictus, an association that often occurs. The occurrence of Clithon retropictus represents a range extension to Jeju Island.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2018

Clithon retropictus has been protected by the Ministry of Environment as an endangered species since 1998 and has been listed on the state red list of endangered species category II. It is viewed as a representative for all endangered species in the northeastern coastal waters of Korea. Most of the habitats of C. retropictus have been found to be in an unstable state because of development projects such as road construction, small stream development, irrigation for securing agricultural water, and flood prevention. These habitats are damaged by small stream maintenance projects and development, and the risk of damage is increasing and active efforts are needed in order to protect them. Although the Ministry of Environment is striving to preserve this endangered species, the habitat of C. retropictus is still facing external threats because it spreads to only a small area at high densities. Therefore, in order to protect the habitat of C. retropictus, a level II endangered species, it is urgent to make an effort to minimize habitat damage and to take measures for its protection.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.591-602
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• 2018

Clithon retropictus has been designated as an endangered wildlife Class II due to its high value as a biological indicator species capable of judging environmental quality such as salinity, water flow, and ground conditions. However, basic research on its physiological and ecological characteristics is still lacking. As such, this study intended to examine the impact of environmental conditions such as salinity and soil particle size on the size and density of Clithon retropictus at the Yeoncho river estuary. The investigation of the salinity, which is a key variable that affects the distribution of organisms in the estuary, showed that Clithon retropictus could grow at a salinity ranging from 0#x2030; (freshwater) to 25‰ (brackish water). The coarse gravel (19-75mm) tended to increase nearer the upper stream (under the Yeoncho weir), while the proportion of particles smaller than sand (less than 19mm) increased toward the downstream. The population and the size of the individuals decreased rapidly in the downstream where water stagnated near the Yeoncho weir, and the salt water joined. The results indicated that Clithon retropictus had a high tolerance to salinity, but the adaptability was weaker toward the extremes since the population, and the size tended to decrease as the salinity increased. The correlation analysis revealed that both salinity and soil particle size affected the population and individual size. The correlation between the individual size and salinity was -0.242 (P <0.01), indicating that the size decreased with increasing salinity. The correlation between individual size and coarse gravel having a particle size of 19mm or more was 0.420 (P <0.01), indicating that the size increased with increasing the particle size.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.76-83
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• 2022

We attempted to estimate potential habitats of Clithon retropictus and to determine the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates by presence of C. retropictus. 2016 to 2018 database of "Survey and Assessment of Estuary Ecosystem Health" by the Ministry of Environment were used to identify the distribution site of C. retropictus. The occupancy model was applied to estimate the potential habitat of C. retropictus. Four diversity indices were used to confirm the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. C. retropictus was found in the southern coast area and part of the east coast, and this pattern was consistent with previous studies. Additionally, the occupancy model predicted that a potential habitat of C. retropictus could appear in the west coast area. The community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates was relatively high at the site with C. retropictus than the site without C. retropictus. Therefore, the occupancy model can be considered when conserving C. retropictus inhabiting a limited area. Additionally, C. retropictus can be used to the indicator species that can represent the brackish water environment.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.317-326
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• 2021

The present study was carried out with a view to understand the distribution and ecology of Clihton retropictus (Martens, 1879), a class II endangered wildlife designated and protected by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, and to suggest the effective conservation and management measures for this species and its habit. First, the distribution of Clihton retropictus was investigated nationwide, and environmental factors such as salinity and substratum were analyzed in consideration of the ecological characteristics of this species. In addition, the individual size, density, and movement of Clihton retropictus per each district surveyed were analyzed. Due to its nature of inhabiting in the brackish water zone, the analysis showed that the salinity of this species was 0.7 ~ 16.6‰ at low tide and 1.0 ~ 17.3% at high tide. It was learned from the analysis of substratum that its composition in each river under investigation was slightly different, but most of substratum had a higher composition ratio than gravel (pebble, 16 ~ 64 mm). On the other hand, the size of each individual was checked by measuring the length of its diameter, and there was almost no change in the individual when the inhabited range of Clihton retropictus was short. However, there was tendency that the longer the habitat range, the bigger the individual size. From surveying the population density by season, it was made clear that, during the summer (July to August) and fall (September to October), the density was relatively higher while the number of individuals decreased significantly during winter (November to December) when the water temperature was lowered. In an effort to effectively establish conservation and management measures, the moving distance was measured, and it became known that, during the surveys in summer and fall when the individuals were active, the individuals moved in more distances than during the winter survey. The results of this study are expected to be utilized as basic data for establishing effective management plans such as creation of habitats for Clihton retropictus, its migration projects and selection of migration destinations which get unavoidable due to development projects.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.113-125
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• 2021

In this study, a problem-centered learning based STEAM field experience learning program was developed and the effects of applying it were investigated. The program was composed of 8 sessions by using problem-centered learning education method and integrating STEAM elements between disciplines. The contents of program are as follow. In the step of sharing problems and making a problem-solving plan, they understood the various examples and meanings of endangered species, explored the project activities, and made an inquiry plan. In the search and re-exploration phase, a smart device was used to investigate the appearance, habitat environment and cause of extinction for Clithon retropictus, and a site inquiry plan was established for each group. Then, they moved to the field to explore brackish-headed gallops and discuss ways to protect endangered species. In the step of creating a solution, a web-based report was produced as the final product using smart devices based on the results of the inquiry. In the presentation and evaluation stage, the produced web-based report was used to present each group, conduct mutual evaluation, and organize project activities. The developed program was applied to 6th grade 29 students enrolled in the J University Gifted Education Center. In order to find out the effectiveness of the program, tests of science process skill, creative problem-solving ability, and scientific attitude were conducted before and after of program learning, and the results were statistically analyzed by t-test. In addition, a STEAM program satisfaction test was conducted after project in order to find out the satisfaction of the class. As a result of application of the program, the results were significantly improved in openness, criticism, and creativity among the sub-factors of creative problem-solving ability and scientific attitude. Satisfaction with the STEAM program was also high, but no significant result was found in science process skill. Therefore, the program of this study could be influenced on improvement of creative problem-solving ability and scientific attitude of gifted students in elementary science.