• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.86.1-86.8
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• 2020

Background: Dicyemids are parasites found in the renal sac of cephalopods. The first species of dicyemid was found from kidneys of the Korean common octopus Callistoctopus minor. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the dicyemid and investigate the effect on renal sac of host. Methods: In this study, we compared the morphological characteristics of isolate to dicyemids (Dicyema sphyrocephalum, Dicyema clavatum, and Dicyema dolichocephalum) reported from C. minor in Japan. We compared the 18S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of isolate to the sequences of D. shyrocephalum and D. clavatum. The infected octopuses renal tissues were histologically compared with the tissues of uninfected individuals. Results: The morphological characteristic of this isolated species corresponds to D. sphyrocephalum. The sequences similarities of 18S rDNA and COI gene of isolate are 99.7% and 98.1% with D. sphyrocephalum. We observed morphological changes in the epithelia folds of kidney at the dicyemids attached areas. Conclusions: The present study identified the isolate as D. sphyrocephalum and this is the first report of dicyemid species from Republic of Korea. Further studies on the effects of dicyemids on growth and health status of cephalopods will be needed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.201-205
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• 2022

Babesia microti is one of the most common causative agents of babesiosis. A sensitive and rapid detection is necessary for screening potentially infected individuals. In this study, B. microti cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) was selected as the target gene, multiple primers were designed, and optimized by a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay. The optimal primers and probe were labeled with fluorescein. The sensitivity of fluorescent RAA (fRAA) was evaluated using gradient diluents of the cox1 recombinant plasmid and genomic DNA extracted from whole blood of B. microti infected mice. The specificity of fRAA was assessed by other transfusion transmitted parasites. The analytical sensitivity of the fRAA assay was 10 copies of recombinant plasmid per reaction and 10 fg/µl B. microti genomic DNA. No cross-reaction with any other blood-transmitted parasites was observed. Our results demonstrated that the fRAA assay would be rapid, sensitive, and specific for the detection of B. microti.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.569-574
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• 2023

A single specimen (30.35 mm standard length) of Ptereleotris evides was collected from the southern coast of Jejudo Island, Korea, in September 2017 during a skin diving outing. Ptereleotris evides is characterized by having a slightly elongated body, six spines on the 1^st dorsal fin, one spine and 25 soft rays on the 2^nd dorsal fin, 22 pectoral fin rays, one spine and four soft rays on the pelvic fin, one spine and 25 soft rays on the anal fin, and no disc in pelvic fin. This species differs from the congeneric species, P. hanae and P. heteroptera in having no elongated rays on the caudal fin and a black spot at the ventral margin of the caudal peduncle, respectively. Molecular analysis results based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences showed that our specimen almost corresponded to P. evides (99.82%) sequences from registered at the NCBI. As this is the first record of P. evides in Korean waters, we propose a new Korean name for it, "Ga-mak-cheong-hwang-mun-jeol".

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2023

Three newly recorded rotifers were collected through surveys of several islands in Korea: Lecane perplexa (Ahlstrom, 1938); Lindia torulosa Dujardin, 1841; and Monommata maculata Harring & Myers, 1930. These species represent 24th, second, and third records of each genus discovered in Korea, respectively. Lecane perplexa and Monommata maculata, were collected from reservoirs using plankton nets, whereas Lindia torulosa was collected from a soil sample. The morphological characteristics of the discovered species are as follows: Lecane perplexa is characterized by a straight or slightly concave anterior margin of the lorica, an incomplete transverse fold on the ventral lorica, and a single toe with pseudoclaws and accessory claws; Lindia torulosa has an illoricated and vermiform body, a head with rostrum, a pair of auricles, cardate type trophi, and distinctively shaped epipharynx components; and Monommata maculata is characterized by long toes, an inner margin of rami with 10-12 serrated teeth, 3-4 large teeth, and interlocking teeth. Here, the morphological characteristics of the three Korean monogonont rotifers, which include trophi photographs, are presented. In addition, partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of each species are presented.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2022

Leptochiton Gray, 1847 is one of the most ancient chiton groups which includes more than 130 species that occur in cold and deep waters worldwide. Due to their small-sized body, they are often confused as juveniles of other chiton species. Moreover, lack of morphological information makes species identification of this group very challenging. To date, only two Leptochiton species(L. fuliginatus and L. rugatus) have been reported from Korean waters. In this study, we found L. hakodatensis(Thiele, 1909) for the first time in Korea and described microscopic morphological characters of valves (tegmentum sculpture), girdle scale, and radula using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Leptochiton hakodatensis is morphologically similar to L. fuliginatus and L. rugatus, but differently characterized by having dorso-ventrally rounded (not carinated) intermediate valves, girdle (perinotum) scales sculptured with 4-7 longitudinal ribs, and bicuspid major lateral teeth of radula. In addition to morphological examination, we determined the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(cox1) as a DNA barcode sequence information. This is the first report that describes microscopic characters (tegmentum of valves, girdle structure, and radula) of L. hakodatensis using a SEM. This study provides a morphological basis for describing Leptochiton species and discovery of a "hidden" species of this genus.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.916-922
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• 2023

An abnormal shape of Bathyraja brachyurops was first reported from the catch of a bottom trawl in the southwest Atlantic Ocean in June 2022. Both pectoral fins of the specimen did not fuse with the head, resulting in a horn-like structure separated from the sides of the eyes. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences showed that our specimen was perfectly matched to Bathyraja brachyurops registered with the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Our specimen possessed the following morphological features: a pair of flexible but elongated and pointed horns on the head; rough dorsal disc, densely covered with numerous small denticles on the head, anterior margin of pectoral fins and median line of the disc; a thorn between the first and second dorsal fins; and a pair of large ocelli at the base of pectoral fins. Unlike the normal B. brachyurops, our specimen had a slender clasper and no nuchal thorns, which may be related to the morphological abnormality. The horn-like structure on the head may be owing to the lack of fusion between the pectoral fins and head during early embryonic development.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.254-263
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• 2023

Two feather mites, Brephosceles anatina Dubinin, 1951 (Analgoidea: Alloptidae) and Freyana anatina (Koch, 1844) (Pterolichoidea: Freyanidae), have been reported for the first time from the Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Anas zonorhyncha Swinhoe, 1866 (Anseriformes: Anatidae), in Korea. The genera Brephosceles Hull, 1934 and Freyana Haller, 1877 are new records of Korean fauna. The morphology of B. anatina is distinguished from three species of the lambda species group in having legs IV extending the level of setae e2 with the distal end of the tarsus in males, and the incision on the posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield triangular-shaped and distinctly longer than its greatest width in females. Freyana anatina is distinguished from F. nyrocae and F. obliquasetae in having setae ps1 with a rectangle bend in homeomorphic males, and setae ps1 obliquely ovate and divergent, with the inner canal going obliquely across the membranous part of these setae in females. This study provides morphological redescriptions of both feather mite species supplemented with partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI), based on specimens collected in Korea.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2023

The edible jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum occurs in waters throughout northeastern Asia, including in Korea, China, and Japan. In Korean waters, R. esculentum has appeared in two regions (Gangwha and Muan). Based on the appearance of young medusae and coastal distribution records, these two regions may be key R. esculentum breeding sites. In the present study, we investigate and compare the genetic structure of R. esculentum in the two regions using mitochondrial sequences (16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I). The genetic diversity of the R. esculentum population at Ganghwa exceeded that of the population at Muan. Despite considerable geographic separation (400 km) between the two regions(Gangwha and Muan), our haplotype network suggests that the Gangwha and Muan populations of R. esculentum are related. The simple and monotonous genetic structure of the Muan population shows that R. esculentum emergence is relatively recent. In contrast, the Gangwha population shows evolution. Moreover, jellyfish of the Gangwha population are genetically diverse and remain constant despite environmental fluctuations in the Han River. The Gangwha area is considered to be the old origin of R. esculentum in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.7
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• 2024

Background: Infections of cats with Echinococcus granulosus is uncommon because the cat is not part of the parasite life cycle that a carnivorous and another herbivore represent. Nevertheless, it occurs incidentally when eating food or drinking water contaminated with the worm's larva, especially with the presence of the definitive host (dogs), in this case, the infections are concentrated in stray or outside cats. For this reason, this study examined the possibility of cat infection with E. granulosus and diagnosed the common genotype of this infection. Objective: This study examined the possibility of cat infection with E. granulosus and diagnosed the common genotype of this infection. Methods: Four of the 37 cats that had died in different accidents developed cystic echinococcosis (CE). The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene was initially amplified and sequenced to determine if these cysts belonged to E. granulosus, in beginning. The DNA fragments resulting from sequencing were then compared and aligned with other sequences using the Gene Bank database. Finally, a phylogenetic tree was drawn according to the sequence data obtained from cox1 genes sequencing, and the MEGA 7.0 phylogenetic analysis program was utilized. Results: Four different sequences were deposited in the Gen Bank with accession numbers (ON795961 to ON795964), all of which belong to the G1 genotype. Approximately 84% and 100% of these sequences aligned with G1 (AB622277.1) and G1 (MG722980.1), respectively. Conclusions: G1 is the dominant genotype that causes cat infections, even though the cat's EC infection was incidental.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2024

Spiders play a vital role in agricultural ecosystems by capturing and preying on small insects, thereby controlling the pests around crops. However, without directly collecting the specimen, it is challenging to accurately determine the species of the spider that formed the web and its diet. Spiders dissolve their prey with digestive fluids while consuming; thus, leaving very little residue in their digestive system. This study aimed to identify the spider that formed the web and the prey caught in the web using environmental DNA (eDNA) present in the spider web. For this purpose, eDNA using the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was extracted from five adjacent spider webs collected from residences near agricultural environments. Based on the genes extracted from spider webs, it was confirmed that the most commonly found gene in all five spider webs was COI of Parasteatoda tepidariorum, and no other spider genes were detected. Among the five spider webs, prey was found in only one web, and in that web, genes of arthropods other than spiders were detected. The genes of the prey found in the spider web were identified to be those of Orthocladius tamarutilus, Tanytarsus tamagotoi, and Yemma exilis. Thus, without directly collecting arthropod specimens from the spider web, it was possible to identify the spider and its prey. This provides crucial information that can help in clearly understanding the predatory activities of spiders in agricultural ecosystems in the future.