• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 1984

Cobitis choii, n. sp. is descirbed from 14 specimens (55.1-69.7 mm SL) collected from sand bottoms in the Miho-cheon stream, Chungcheongbug-go province, Korea. C. choii is compared with the specimens of C. koreensis, C. granoei, and C. taenia lutheri. The new species differ from them in the serrated lamina circularis at the base of pectoral fins in male, the rounded spots and small scales on the body sides, and slender caudal peduncle.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2018

The habitat characteristics and the age of endangered miho spine loach, Cobitis choii, were investigated in Ji Stream, Guem River, Korea in 2011 to provide baseline data for its restoration. The habitat of the C. choii was the downstream portion composed of sand, and the sand particle sizes was mostly 0.21~1.18 mm (88.7%). Juveniles (age 0+) preferred slower water velocity (0~25 cm/sec) and a lower water depth (5~20 cm) than did individuals who were more than 1 year old, as this group inhabited rapids with 10~25 cm/sec of water velocity and 20~50 cm of water depth. The C. choii rapidly grew during the active period from April to October and they stopped growing during the hibernating period from November to March. The estimated age of the C. choii (females) based on their total length distribution during the spawning period (June) indicated that 1-, 2-, 3- and more than 4-year-old were 40~61 mm, 64~79 mm, 80~91 mm and 92~106 mm, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2012

The distribution status and population size of the endangered species, $Cobitis$ $choii$, were investigated in the Guem River, Korea. From 1984~2004, this species occurred at 20 survey stations; however, their numbers have but rapidly decreased in recent years (2006~2011), during which time they were only observed at six stations. The area of their habitat is narrow and occurs in primarily downstream, sandy zones. Using the mark-recapture method, populations were estimated at 9,106 and 34,717 individuals for the main habitats of Baekgok and Ji Stream, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2018

Feeding ecology of endangered Korean endemic miho spine loach, Cobitis choii, was investigated in Jicheon Stream, Geumgang River, Korea to provide ecological characteristics and baseline data for its restoration. C. choii is active during daylight hours above sand from March to October when the water temperature exceeded $13^{\circ}C$, but tended hibernate in the stream bottoms (sand) in the winter months (November~February) when the water temperature was lower than $13^{\circ}C$. They fed (index of relative importance, IRI) mainly Diptera (69.9%), Copepoda (23.2%), Arcellidae (2.3%), Branchiopoda (2.0%) and Ploima (2.0%). And their small juvenile (age 0+) fed mainly small size, Ploima and Branchiopoda, however, they ate mainly large size, Chilonomidae, while growing to adult fish (age 2+~3+).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.271-284
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• 2014

The objectives of this research were to analyse the microhabitat of Cobitis choii which is designated as an endangered fish species (I) and national monument species in Korea (No. 454), and provide valuable information of suitable replacement habitat in the future for a conservation of the population with rapid decreases by environmental pollution. Sampling and microhabitat analysis in three streams such as Baekgok, Yugu and Gap Stream, known as one of the least habitats in Korea showed that the mean number of Cobitis choii observed was 2.6. This result indicated that the richness was too low, so the species conservation was very urgent. Optimal physical microhabitat of the population was determined as environmental conditions with > 60% sand with 1 mm particle size, optimal water depth of 20 - 60 cm in the habitats, and the optimal current velocity of < 0.4 m/s. Under the circumstances of the microhabitat, optimal water volume (discharge) was 0 - 2 m3/s in the each sectional analysis and this reach was mainly composed of the stream section with intermittant slow runs and pools. These microhabitats were largely disturbed by physical modifications of habitat and chemical pollutions due to direct influences of nutrient-rich water inputs from the urban area and intensive agricultural pollutants. For these reasons, optimal habitat replacement are required in the future for the conservation of the species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.sup1
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• pp.7-28
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• 2009

The family Cobitidae of Korea was reviewed as 16 species in 5 genera with the key to species for the identification by the external features. The three genera of Iksookimia, Koreocobitis, and Kichulchoia erected from the genus Cobitis were reclassified based on the presence or absence of Gambetta’s zones on the body sides, their body pigmentation, the shape of lamina circularis in males, the number of unbranched anal fin rays, and some molecular phylogenetic data. By the results of these reexamination, the generic names of the three species were changed as Cobitis choii, Iksookimia pacifica, and Kichulchoia mutifasciata. It was remarked biogeographically that most species of genera Cobitis, Iksookimia, Koreocobitis, and Kichulchoia show the disjunct distributions with bottom-dwelling preferences as endemic to Korean peninsular. Three species of Cobitis choii, Kichulchoia brevifasciata, and Koreocobitis naktongensis are considered to be critically endangered according to the severe habitat destruction and the alteration of river topography.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2011

Gene and promoter structures of metallothionein(MT) from Miho spine loach (Cobitis choii; Cypriniformes) were characterized, and the transcriptional responses to experimental exposures to heavy metals and heat stress were examined. The C. choii metallothionein displayed well-conserved features of teleostean metallothioneins at gDNA, mRNA and amino acid levels. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the C. choii MT regulatory region potentially possessed various motifs or elements targeted by various transcription factors associated with metal-coordinating regulation (e.g., metal transcription factor-1), immune responses (e.g., nuclear factor kappa B), and thermal modulations (e.g., heat shock factor). Acute heavy-metal exposures to 0.5 or $1.0\;{\mu}M$ of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) or zinc (Zn) showed that MT transcription was significantly stimulated by Cd (9.6-fold relative to non-exposed control) and Cu (10.4-fold), only moderately by Mn (2.4-fold), but hardly by Ni and Zn. Elevation of water temperature from $25^{\circ}C$ to $31^{\circ}C$ caused a rapid modulation of MT mRNAs toward upregulation to 9.5-fold; however, afterward the elevated mRNA level slightly decreased during further incubation at $31^{\circ}C$ for 6 h. Results from this study suggest that MT-based expression assay could be a useful basis for better understanding the metal- and/or heat-caused stresses in this endangered fish species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2024

Distribution status and extinction threat evaluation of an endangered species, Cobitis choii, were investigated from 2015 to 2019. In 2015 and 2018, we investigated past appearance sites of C. choii. In 2015, 163 individuals from nine sites were collected by surveying 19 stations. In 2018, 19 individuals from five sites were collected by surveying 22 sites. In 2019, 156 individuals from 12 sites were collected as a result of a survey of 79 sites of past appearance and potential appearance of C. choii. Appearance regions were Mihocheon (Baekgokcheon (2 sites), Chopyeongcheon (1 sites)), Gapcheon (3 sites), Yugucheon (2 sites), Jicheon (4 sites), and Geumgang mainstream (2 sites). Among these appearing regions, Baekgokcheon, Yugucheon, and Mihocheon mainstreams showed a sharp decline in population. Baekgokcheon was estimated to have a habitat change due to a project to raise the bank of Baekgok Reservoir. Yugucheon was estimated to have a habitat disturbance due to flood-induced collapse and reconstruction of weir. Mihocheon mainstream was estimated to have water pollution and habitat disturbance. On the other hand, Chopyeongcheon and Geumgang mainstream were newly habitat identified and Gapcheon was noted to show an increase in the number of individuals. After performing extinction threat evaluation, C. choii was evaluated as Endangered (EN A2ac) due to its rapid population decline (more than 50%) in its habitats of Baekgokcheon, Yugucheon, and Mihocheon based on criteria A, while it was evaluated as Vulnerable (VU B1ab (iii,v) +B2ab +B2ab (iii,v)) due to its narrow extent of occurrence (EOO, 1,735 km²) and area of occupancy (AOO, 36 km²) in 6 locations with a continuous population decline based on criteria B. Therefore, the final threat of extinction grade was evaluated as Endangered (EN A2ac). In Baekgokcheon, Yugucheon, and Mihocheon mainstream where the population has declined rapidly recently, conservation measures are urgently required to increase its population.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.322-328
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• 2012

To estimate the population size of Miho spine roach (Cobitis choii), one of national monument species in Korea, multiple mark-recapture experiments (Jolly-Seber model) by VIE tagging were conducted in the upper region of the Backgok Stream located in the Kum-River system, Korea. Fish sampling was conducted at four different times from October 5 to October 26, 2011. A total of 335 sampling points were sampled, where the species was determined in 217. The population size was estimated to be 6,143 in this study. Compared to a previous report conducted by the Korean Ministry of Environment (2009), the population size of this species has decreased by 41%. The reasons for population decline are thought to be due to loss of microhabitat, sedimentation, water pollution. Consequently, a habitat restoration program is required to protect the microhabitat and recover the population size in this area.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2014

Community structure of fish and inhabiting status of natural monument and endangered species, Cobitis choii were investigated in the Baekgok Stream, a tributary of the Geum River drainage system of Korea from May to November 2012. Ten-15 fish species inhabited upper stream (St. 1~St. 3) with a Aa or Aa-Bb river type composed of mostly pebble and cobble bottoms. 15~21 species did middle stream (St. 4~St. 5) with Aa or Aa-Bb type composed of mostly cobble, boulder and pebble bottoms. Nine species did Reservoir Baekgok (St. 6) with composed of mostly mud bottoms, and Seven species did Reservoir Baekgok outflow (St. 7) with Aa-Bb type composed of mostly boulder and cobble bottoms. And 20~23 species did lower stream (St. 8~St. 9) with a Bb-Bc type composed of mostly cobble and sand bottoms. A total of 35 species belonging to ten families were found in the stream during the survey. The dominant species were in the order of Zacco platypus (34.7%), Pungtungia herzi (9.4%) and Microphysogobio yaluensis (9.0%). Other abundant species included Tridentiger bifasciatus (8.2%), Pseudogobio esocinus (5.9%), Carassius auratus (4.6%), Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (3.7%), Rhinogobius brunneus (3.0%). Among residing species, ten (28.6%) species were endemic to Korea, one (Cobits choii) was endangered, and two (Micropterus salmoides and C. cuvieri) were non-indigenous. Natural monument and endangered species, C. choii were only inhabited St. 5, and they are inhabited 30~100 cm in water depth, sand bottom and slowly velocity. Using the mark-recapture method, populations were estimated at $7,838{\pm}6,290$ individuals. Age group in May estimated from total length indicated that the 38~45 mm group is 0 year old, the 46~60 mm group is 1 years old, the 61~80 mm group is 2 years old, and the 81~93 mm group is more than 3 years old. Condition factor (${\times}10^5) was 0.36~0.39 and 0.35~0.38 for female and male, respectively, and they are 13.5% were infected with parasites (digenea). We are discussed the health status, threats and conservation strategies of C. choii in the Baekgok Stream.