• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2020

Two strains isolated from a subtropical region in China, were morphologically identified as a Nostoc-like species, but its taxonomic identity was unknown. In this study, these two strains were taxonomically and phylogenetically characterized based on polyphasic approach combining morphological and genetic characteristics. Though both were virtually indistinguishable from Nostoc in field and cultured material, these two strains were phylogenetically distinct from Nostoc based on 16S rRNA phylogeny. The 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer rRNA secondary structure of these strains showed the unique pattern of D1-D1', Box-B, and V3 helix, which distinguished them from other Nostoc-like heterocytous genera. A unique cluster separated from Nostoc sensu stricto supports the establishment of Violetonostoc gen. nov. with the type species as Violetonostoc minutum sp. nov.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2014

Seasonal characteristics of water and sediment qualities and potential effects of the freshwater discharge from a small tide embankment interior in a coastal area in Goheung county were investigated from May to September in 2012. Chemical oxygen demand values (COD) were mostly higher than 2 mg/L in summer ebb tide, which exceed the standard value of water quality criteria II of acceptable level for aquaculture activities. Nitrogen and phosphorus were found as the limiting nutrients for algae growth in summer and fall and in spring, respectively. Nitrogen was the limiting nutrient for diatom growth in the whole studied period. The sudden high values of COD, ammonia, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) were found in water sample collected from station 5 which located in front of the tide embankment sluice gate during spring ebb tide. The freshwater discharge form the tide embankment interior maybe affected the survey areas during a short time interval. Mean values of eutrophication index of the surveyed coastal region in spring, summer and fall were all bigger than 1. Water quality was mostly considered at level II which acceptable for aquaculture activities. Sediment quality in this study was generally in the range of standard for fisheries environment.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2020

The freshwater red algal genus Sheathia contains species with heterocortication (both bulbous and cylindrical cells covering the main axis) and homocortication (only cylindrical cells). When the genus was proposed, the species with heterocortication were revised, but all specimens with homocortication were assigned to Sheathia arcuata with the caveat that it may represent a species complex. Recent studies have described new species with homocortication and S. arcuata has been rendered paraphyletic. In the current study, new sequences of the rbcL and 5′ region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I markers were combined with previously published data to construct a robust phylogeny and circumscribe new species. Four new species, S. abscondita, S. californica, S. plantuloides, and S. transpacifica are proposed. Examination of morphological characters among homocorticate species show no diagnostic characters to distinguish among species, whereas S. plantuloides is only known from sporophytes (chantransia) so it lacks the typical morphological characters derived from the gametophytes for comparison. Although DNA sequence data would be needed to make a positive species identification, geography could be employed to narrow the identification to one or two species. The genus is geographically widespread having been recorded from oceanic islands and five continents, whereas the individual species typically occur on a single continent. With this study, the number of species recognized in Sheathia is raised to 17; seven heterocorticate and 10 homocorticate, making this genus one of the most species rich in the Batrachospermales. As well, the resulting phylogeny provides insights into the evolution of heterocortication in Sheathia.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.277-288
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• 2019

Freshwater red algae of the order Batrachospermales are poorly studied in India and Nepal, especially on a molecular basis. During a survey in northeast India and east Nepal, six populations of the genus Sheathia were found and analyzed using molecular and morphological evidence. Phylogenetic analyses based on the rbcL gene sequences grouped all populations in a large clade including our S. arcuata specimens and others from several regions. Sheathia arcuata represents a species complex with a high sequence divergence and several smaller clades. Samples from India and Nepal were grouped in three distinct clades with high support and representing new cryptic species: a clade formed by two samples from India, which was named Sheathia assamica sp. nov.; one sample from India and one from Nepal formed another clade, named Sheathia indonepalensis sp. nov.; two samples from Nepal grouped with sequences from Hawaii and Indonesia (only 'Chantransia' stages) and gametophytes from Taiwan, named Sheathia dispersa sp. nov. Morphological characters of the specimens from these three species overlap one another and with the general circumscription of S. arcuata, which lacks the heterocortication (presence of bulbous cells in the cortical filaments) present in other species of the genus Sheathia. Although the region sampled is relatively restricted, the genetic diversity among specimens of these three groups was high and not closely related in the phylogenetic relationship with the other clades of S. arcuata. These data corroborate information from other groups of organisms (e.g., land and aquatic plants) that indicates this region (Eastern Himalaya) as a hotspot of biodiversity.

• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2015

The genus of leafy green algae, Prasiola Meneghini, includes marine, terrestrial, and freshwater species. A total of 11 species and one variety have been identified in China, Korea, and Japan. In Korea, Prasiola formosana var. coreana has been reported in Muncheon, North Korea, while a different type of Prasiola species has been reported in South Korea. The South Korean species has been found growing along a small stream originating from Chodanggul Cave, a limestone cave in Samcheok, Gangwon Province. Here, we revised the morphological characteristics of the South Korean Prasiola species and analyzed plastid rbcL, psaB, and tufA genes to clarify its identity. Although the external and anatomical morphologies varied among individuals, our results were very similar to previous reports. Plastid three genes sequences of the South Korean specimens were identical to those of P. japonica collected from Japan as well as to published sequences of P. yunnanica from China. A short rbcL-3P sequence (196 bp) from P. formosana var. coreana, which was identified in the type specimen, was also identical to a sequence from P. japonica. These Prasiola species and variety from Korea, Japan, and China are all distributed in areas characterized by limestone bedrock. Based on morphological, phylogenetic, and distributional features, the South Korean Prasiola species is regarded herein as P. japonica. Here, we also propose to synonymize P. formosana var. coreana and P. yunnanica with P. japonica.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.130-141
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• 2016

This study was conducted to elucidate the structure of river ecosystem in the watershed of the Seom River and Hoengseong Reservoir located in Hoengseong of Kangwon Province from February to October 2007. Topics of the survey were mainly rainfall, discharge, water quality in abiotic factors and attached algae, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, birds and mammals of flora and fauna in a biotic factors, respectively. Specifically, the Seom River could be seen as a typical flow rate of the stream is controlled to the effect of the dam. Basic water qualities were great to seasonal effects, it was relatively clean. Diatom Achnanthes, Cymbella, Gomphonema, and Navicula were distributed predominantly in the periphytic algae. Benthic macroinvertebrates were mostly aquatic insects and freshwater shellfish, the aquatic insects were abundant Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. Freshwater fish was the dominant Zacco platypus, fish species varied toward the downstream. Birds were mainly observed in four species, and species Egretta garzetta, which was distributed in a wide area of the Seom River. In mammals, Lutra lutra of Mustelidae was identified that the number of inhabit widely. In aspects of the ecological trophic level, the Seom River was maintained at a relatively stable state in the producer and the consumer relationship. The results of this study will expected to be utilized as a useful data for understanding the structure and function of the lotic and lentic ecosystems.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.213-225
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• 2018

Trichoderma (Hypocreaceae) is one of the most ubiquitous genera worldwide. This genus has an excellent ability to adapt to diverse environments, even under poor nutritional conditions, such as in freshwater. However, little is known about the diversity of Trichoderma species in freshwater environments. In this study, we isolated diverse fungal strains from algae, plant litter, and soil sediment in streams in Korea. The strains were identified based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and translation elongation factor 1 ($TEF1{\alpha}$) sequences. We also investigated their morphological characteristics by microscopic observation and determination of cultural features on different media. As a result, six Trichoderma species were found in Korea: T. afroharzianum, T. capillare, T. guizhouense, T. paraviridescens, T. reesei, and T. saturnisporum. Interestingly, T. paraviridescens showed both cellulose activity and hypoxia stress tolerance phenotypes, indicating its role as a decomposer in freshwater ecosystems. Our study revealed that freshwater environment could be a good candidate for investigating the species diversity of Trichoderma.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2008

The role and distribution of fresh water algae was surveyed at Wangdeungjae Wetland of Mt. Jiri, a high mountain swampy land. Mean environmental factors were as follows; temperature was $17.6^{\circ}C$, pH was 6.3, conductivity was $24.6{\mu}S/cm$, TN was 0.6 mg/L, TP was 0.09 mg/L, and Chl-a was $11.9{\mu}g/L$, respectively. Algae were appeared 159 species(Chlorophyta 87, Bacillariophyta 56, Euglenophyta 11, and Cyanophyta 5). Desmid of Chlorophyta was 56 species, and dominant species was Aulacoseira distans of Bacillariophyta. To analyze food chain of the water ecosystem, we performed analysis of tadpole's stomach captured in the wetland. Tadpoles ingested mainly algae, and Aulacoseira distans was found in most quantity. Based on this study, algae take role of the primary producer as well as the prey of higher level predators(e.g. tadpoles) in the water ecosystem of Wangdeungjae Wetland.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2014

Small red algae, especially those previously referred to as 'primitive' are often overlooked, but can be quite abundant. These 'primitive' red algae are now placed in several classes distinct from the Florideophyceae, for example the Stylonematophyceae. A brownish-red filamentous alga was collected from a sandy tide pool at Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia. Cultured specimens were identified as Bangiopsis and conformed to the morphological characters of the genus (multicellular base, erect filaments branched or unbranched, uniseriate to multiseriate-tubular, single multilobed purple-red to red-brown plastid with central pyrenoid, vegetative cells released directly as spores). Molecular data of two plastid genes (rbcL, psbA) support placement of the Australian isolate and isolates from India in Bangiopsis. The genetic variation between these isolates and isolates from Puerto Rico previously attributed to B. subsimplex indicates that these should be considered as a separate species. As the type locality is in the Atlantic Ocean, French Guiana, and not far from Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rican isolate has been used often in phylogenetic analyses, we propose that the Indian and Pacific Ocean isolates be designated a new species, B. franklynottii, to acknowledge Ott's many years of research on inconspicuous freshwater and marine red algae. Our research also highlights the lack of careful descriptions in many of the records of this genus and the lack of morphological characters to distinguish species. Especially within the morphologically simple red algae, morphological distinctness does not necessarily reflect evolutionary divergences.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2008

Algal Growth-inhibition tests were conducted with 6 pesticides butachlor GR (5%), butachlor EW (33%), isoprothiolane GR (12%), isoprothiolane EC (40%), diazinon GR (3%) and diazinon EC (34%) to determine their comparative toxicity to three species of freshwater green algae Selenastrum capricornutum, Scenedesmus subspicatus, Chlorella vulgris and one species diatom Nitzschia palea. The test species were exposed to the test pesticide for 72 hours and the toxicity represented $EC_{50}$ value calculated by the reduction in growth rate at 72 hours. The toxicity of EC or EW formulation to green algae and diatom was higher than the toxicity of GR formulation at all test in this study. Also, the toxicity of EC formulation was higher than the toxicity technical pesticide. These results indicate that the types of pesticide formulation may affect on their toxicity on algae and the green alga, S. capricornutum and S. subspicatus were more sensitive than C. vulgris. Also, the sensitivity of the diatom, N. palea showed equal or lower than S. capricornutum, S. subspicatus but more sensitive than C. vulgris.