• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.217-224
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• 2011

The seven leptocephali (14.6~68.0 mm in total length) of the family Ophichthidae, from the East Sea of Korea, were identified using 12S rRNA 861-bp sequences and their morphological development were described. Our seven leptocephali were identified to Echelus uropterus based on genetic distance (d=0.000) being well consistent with that of adult E. uropterus. Our seven leptocephali of E. uropterus are characterized by morphological combinations: caudal fin present; the melanophores present in series of nine gut swellings; total myomeres 154~158; body depth in total length less than 10%; eight black horizontal bands present from anus to caudal fin base. Our morphological and molecular results suggest that E. uropterus may be an intermediate group between subfamily Ophichthinae and Myrophinae.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.46-60
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• 2011

A taxonomic review of 6 genera and 10 species in the family Ophichthidae was carried out based on specimens from the adjacent waters of Korea. The number of vertebrae distinguished the species of each genus: Ophisurus macrorhynchos (201~209), Ophichthus rotundus (178~183), Pisodonophis zophistius (179~182), P. cancrivorus (153~164), Echelus uropterus (152~158), Muraenichthys gymnopterus (155~156), Ophichthus evermanni (150~154), Brachysomophis porphyreus (137~148), Ophichthus urolophus (135~138), Ophichthus asakusae (124~134). Snout length in head length distinguished the 6 genera: Ophisurus (27.2~31.2), Echelus (18.0~27.7), Ophichthus (12.3~21.5), Pisodonophis (16.5~20.8), Muraenichthys (11.4~11.9), Brachysomophis (9.1~9.4). A key to the 6 genera and 10 species of the family Ophichthidae from the adjacent waters of Korea is provided.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.415-424
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• 2012

Four species of ophichthid leptocephali were identified using 12S rDNA sequences, and their morphological descriptions were first provided based on six individuals (S1-S3,M1, and E1-E2) collected from the East Sea and the Korea Strait between September 2008 and October 2010. Mitochondrial 12S rDNA 859-861 base pairs of ophichthid leptocephali were compared with those of 16 ophichthids adult and 2 outgroups (Anguilla japonica and Conger myriaster). Leptocephali of S1 and E1 were very closely clustered with adult of Scolecenchelys borealis (D=0.002) and Echelus uropterus (D=0.000), respectively. However, leptocephali of S2-S3 andM1 were slightly far clustered with leptocephalus of S1 (D=0.006) and adult of Muraenichthys gymnopterus (0.034), respectively. We believe that S1 and E1 are S. borealis and E. uropterus, respectively, in which the former is unrecorded species in Korea. However, S2-S3 and M1 may be undescribed species belonging to genus Scolecenchelys and Muraenichthys, respectively, because total numbers of myomeres for S2-S3 (148-158) and M1 (151) were not consistent with total numbers of vertebrae or distribution for any adult of Scolecenchelys spp. and Muraenichthys spp. in the world. We propose the new Korean name 'Dong-hae-mul-baem' for S. borealis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.186-200
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• 2022

In order to understand the species composition and distribution characteristics of larval assemblages in the East Sea, Korea, larvae were collected at 13 stations every other month from February to December 2018. Fish larvae were identified through DNA barcoding along with morphological methods, and as the result, a total of 104 taxonomic groups appeared during the survey. Among these, Engraulis japonicus, which accounted for 76.2% of the total population, was the most dominant species, followed by Maurolicus japonicus, which accounted for 15.0%. In addition, Ammodytes personatus, Champsodon snyderi, Scomber japonicus and Echelus uropterus appeared more frequently than other taxa. The above six species accounted for 93.2% of the total catch. The number of taxa and the amount of larvae collected in the survey area were higher during the high water temperature periods (June to October) than during the low water temperature periods (February, April and December). Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed a statistically significant difference in monthly larval assemblages. The results of the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) show that the distributions of larval community were mainly affected by sea surface temperature during low water temperature periods, and various environmental factors such as salinity, dry weight of zooplankton, and the concentrations of nutrients during high water temperature periods.