• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.213-215
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• 2022

Turtle leeches have not been recorded in Korea, although they occur in geographically adjacent countries including China and Japan. This study describes a turtle leech, Ozobranchus jantseanus (Clitellata: Ozobranchidae), found from Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii) in Korea. Of the 143 Reeve's turtles collected from the freshwater reservoir in Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, 95 unidentified leeches were found in 8 (5.6%) individuals. The leeches had 22 somites with 11 pairs of externally exposed branchiae, body-sized posterior suckers, and spines on the dorsal surface. We identified these leeches as Ozobranchus jantseanus Oka, 1912 (Clitellata: Ozobranchidae). This species of turtle leeches found in Korea may fill the gap in the biodiversity of East Asian annulus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 1987

Effects of synthetic atrial natriuretic peptide and furosemide on the cardiovascular and renal functions were examined in the freshwater turtle, Amyda japonica. Both atria and ventricle of turtle contained an immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide. Synthetic rat atrial natriuretic peptide (atriopeptin III) and turtle atrial extract caused a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure and the vasodepressor effect was dose-dependent. In hydrated turtles received either atriopeptin III or turtle atrial extract, no significant change in renal function was observed until 100 min except a slight natriuresis at 60 or 100 min after injection of 30 ug/kg atriopeptin III or atrial extract, respectively. However, furosemide, 2 mg/kg, caused marked diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. In non-hydrated turtles, no significant change in renal function was observed until 6 hrs following injection of 30 ug/kg atriopeptin III. Plasma aldosterone decreased at 2 hr and increased at 24 hr after injection of atriopeptin III although plasma renin concentration did not change. But, furosemide caused persistent diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. Additionally, plasma aldosterone and renin concentrations were significantly increased at 24 hrs after injection of furosemide. In conclusion, we suggest that the freshwater turtle may have an atrial natriuretic peptide in heart and vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide, and that atrial natriuretic peptide is more important in the regulation of blood pressure rather than that of renal function in freshwater turtles. We also suggest that an increased plasma renin concentration caused by furosemide may not be due to the sodium concentration delivered to macula densa, but due to the dehydration caused by persistent diuresis and natriuresis.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 2010

In this study, we evaluated the distribution, habitat characteristics, and diet of two Korean freshwater turtle species (Chinemys reevesii, Pelodiscus sinensis) and an invasive turtle species (Trachemys scripta elegans) in the area surrounding the Seomjin River and the Nam River. We surveyed basking turtles in multiple locations along a 48-km stretch of the Seomjin River and in 99 reservoirs distributed along the Seomjin and Nam rivers from June to September, 2009. We observed 8 and 6 red-eared turtles in 3 reservoirs and at 3 sites in the Seomjin River, respectively, and 33 Reeve's turtles in 9 reservoirs. There were also 28 and 16 mud turtles detected at 15 sites along the Seomjin River and in 8 reservoirs, respectively. Among the 14 biotic and abiotic habitat characteristics that might influence the abundance of freshwater turtles in reservoirs, only the distance between a reservoir and the nearest residential areas was correlated negatively with abundance. With regard to the diet, all Reeve's and red-eared turtles investigated were determined to forage on water snails. Some turtles also foraged on vegetation and aquatic invertebrates. Additionally, we found fish in the stomach of one of the Reeve's turtles, and dragonflies in the stomachs of two red-eared turtles.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2000

The distribution of receptor subtypes for endothelin (ET) in the kidney of the freshwater turtle, Amyda japonica, was examined by quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography using iodinatd mammalian type ET-1 ($^125$/I-ET-1)as a radiolabeled ligand. Specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings were localized to renal tubules, renal arteries and ureter with binding densities of 111.21 $\pm$ 19.14, 182.13$\pm$10.57 and 219.46$\pm$12.83 amol/$mm^2$. respectively. Binding dissociation constants in renal tubules, renal arteries and ureter were 1.05 $\pm$ 0.63, 2.03 $\pm$0.56 and 1.70$\pm$0.47nM, respectively. Receptor subtypes for ET in the kidney were characterized by competition with BQ 123 and BQ 788 as specific antagonists for ET receptors, type A (ET$_A$ ), and type B (ET$_B$) subtypes, respectively. Specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings in renal arteries and ureter were potently inhibited by BQ 123 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas BQ 788 was not in competing for specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings in this structure. However, specific $^125$/I-ET-1 bindings in renal tubules were inhibited more potently by BQ 788. Therefore, these results indicate that specific ET receptors are localized in renal tubules, renal arteries and the ureter of the freshwater turtle. Results also suggest that the predominant ET receptor subtypes are like the ETA receptor in renal arteries and ureter, and like the ET/$_A$ receptor in the renal tubule.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.184.2-184
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• 1994

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2012

Korean freshwater turtles are divided into native turtles, Chinemys reevesii in Geoemydidae, Pelodiscus sinensis in Trionychidae, and imported turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, Pseudemys rubriventris and Ocadia sinensis. In this study, we determined the distribution of Korean freshwater turtles based on a field study and literature study, and considered the taxonomic position of unidentified native turtles. The study was carried out between May 2010 and November 2011 during the day time, and the capturing tool used to collect turtles consisted of net and metal frame. C. reevesii and P. sinensis were found in 16 and 11 places, respectively. C. reevesii, which inhabits the Korean peninsula, is a taxonomically controversial species, but it is presumed that the turtle belongs to Mauremys. Moreover recent taxonomic studies of the soft-shell turtle have shown that the Korean native species is P. maackii, and P. sinensis was imported from abroad and has been in the natural habitats of Korea since 1970s. The exterior shape and skeletal form of P. maackii and P. sinensis are nearly similar. However, the skin color and yellow spots on the shell could be used to distinguish the two species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.109-118
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• 2015

This study was performed to propose the site selection plan for the restoration of the target Reeve's turtle (Maunemys reevesii) habitat and has developed the AHP model to select the optimal site for Reeve's turtle habitat restoration on the basis of the Reeve's turtle Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) items (factors and variables). The assessment areas were established by the Reeve's turtle HSI factors such as breeding space, feed, cover, water, threatening factors and others and the sub-assessment items by each assessment area were established based on the Reeve's turtle HSI variables. The weighting values of the assessment areas and items were calculated by the developed AHP method. The weighting values of the 5 assessment areas were arranged in order as breeding space(0.293), food(0.273), water(0.217), cover(0.113), and threatening factor(0.104). The final weighting values of the 17 assessment items were arranged in order of height as all kind of food(0.222), water depth(0.096), altitude of spawning ground(0.093). The scoring criteria according to the assessment items and factors were marked and applied by equal intervals considering the criteria by HSI items of the Reeve's turtle and finally the scoring criteria diagram as been proposed for the optimal site selection of the Reeve's turtle habitat restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2020

On May 27, 2019, a non-native turtle was discovered at Ilsan Lake Park, Janghang-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Republic of Korea. The turtle was identified as a western painted turtle (Emydidae: Chrysemys picta bellii) based on the external morphology, plastron color, plastron pattern, stripes on the side of the head, and shape of the carapace. In the lake park, another non-native turtle was observed sunbathing on the same rock. In this paper, we firstly reported the confirmed presence of a western painted turtle in the wild of Korea. Unfortunately, various non-native turtles are continuously reported in Korean ecosystems. Therefore, we highlight that continuous surveying and reporting of the non-native species is important to their management.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.133-136
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• 2015

Freshwater softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) extract has been used traditionally as a tonic soup, and to recover from physical fatigue. To support these claims, the forelimb grip strength of mice was measured after feeding a soft-shell turtle extract for 7 days. The T. sinensis extract significantly increased the grip strength to $1.25{\pm}0.07N$ (P<0.01), which is 16.8% higher than the force on day 0. After exercising, the blood glucose levels in extract-fed mice were 202% higher and urea levels were 73% lower, which were both significantly different than the levels observed after control treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher by 314%, and glutathione peroxidase increased by 165%. In addition, the obesity markers, serum triglyceride and cholesterol, decreased to 62% and 49%, respectively, after mice were fed the extract. These data show that the T. sinensis extract provided more energy for forelimb exercise, prevented protein catabolism and muscle fatigue, and decreased the oxidative stress caused by an exhaustive workout.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.702-710
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• 2017

Recently, in many reptiles (14 genera of turtles in five families), common characteristics of incubation temperatures are known to determine the sexes of hatchlings in many species of turtles, including the map turtles, painted turtles and snapping turtles, emys turtle, etc. According to many researcher's reports, in general, incubation at $25^{\circ}C$ (cooler temperatures) produces all or mostly males, however, incubation at $31^{\circ}C$ (higher temperatures) or higher produces all or mostly females. Exceptionally, even cooler temperature ($20^{\circ}C$) produce females, they produced all or mostly females. Accordingly, it is well-known that incubation temperature is the sex determining agent in these turtles. However, this paper presents study of the sex ratio and nest ecology in natural spawning nest: Observations on hatching sex ratios of eggs collected from natural nests of T. sinensis are similar to a previous report of the same genus Trionyx in the soft-shelled turtles. However, this genus (or species) showed some different phenomena to other kinds of turtles such as various kinds turtles mentioned above. After collection of naturally spawned eggs (17 eggs of T. sisnensis) on the natural nests, a laboratory experiment by the constant incubation temperatures was conducted with natural fluctuating soil temperatures in the natural nest with the soft-shelled turtle, T. sinensis. And also laboratory experiments were conducted using constant incubation temperatures of $25^{\circ}C$ (cooler temp.) and $30^{\circ}C$ (higher temp.) with the turtle, T. sinensis. Exceptionally, it was confirmed that the first and second incubation temperatures can't control sex-determination in the freshwater soft-shelled turtle, T. sinensis. The sex ratio approximated 1:1 (${\chi}^2=0.06$, P>0.05 (the Ist experiment). And the sex ratio approximated 1:1 independently of incubation temperature (${\chi}^2=0.33$, P>0.05 (the 2nd experiment). Consequently, temperature has no effect on sex determination in the genus Trionyx in a soft-shelled turtle.