• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.325-329
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• 2009

Lepomis macrochirus from the family Centrarchidae, commonly known as Bluegill sunfish, is an introduced freshwater fish in Korea that thrives in lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers. Since its introduction into Korea in 1969, Lepomis macrochirus has rapidly dispersed out and increased in number almost all over the freshwater ecosystems in Korea. Consequently this species causes a severe ecological problem, threatening native fishes due to its omnivorous foraging behaviors upon fish juveniles and many freshwater invertebrates. To address population genetic structure of L. macrochirus, 74 fish samples from 10 populations were collected and compared for their mitochondrial D-loop control region. As the result we found that the genetic diversity of L. macrochirus is extremely low such as resulting only four haplotypes with a few nucleotide differences among them. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the source of population genetic variation is largely retained in the comparisons among individuals within populations, while it is relatively low with slight significance at the highest hierarchical group. This distribution pattern differs from what is expected when biogeography is under the influence of natural geographic barriers such as mountain ranges in Korea. Instead the result is accord with the influential role of random spreading events facilitated by local people for aquaculture and fishing, and subsequent dispersals since its single point of introduction into Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.402-412
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• 2020

This study aims to examine the population characteristics of the fish and the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), designated as ecologically disturbing fish, living in four water dams in the Ulsan area and to provide basic data. The survey of fish living in 4 water dams and surrounding tributaries in the Ulsan area from 2016 to 2017 found a total of 1,987 individuals of 28 species of 9 families and identified 6 Korea's endemic species is (21.4% indigenous rate), 4 exotic species, and 2 ecosystem disturbing species. Based on the number of fishes identified, the dominant species was Lepomis macrochirus, and the subdominant species was Hemiculter eigenmanni. The investigation of the age structure of the L. macrochirus found in the 4 water dams in the Ulsan area showed a large population of 1 to 2 old, and the population was growing fast. Moreover, the analysis of the total length-weight relationship and obesity of the L. macrochirus population showed that the regression coefficient b of the total length-weight relationship was greater than 3.0, and the habitat of the L. macrochirus population was in good condition. Obesity had a positive slope, and the growth state was relatively good. The result of this study can be used as useful data to predict the trend of the L. macrochirus fauna inhabiting in 4 water dams in the Ulsan area.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.509-513
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• 2018

Present study was performed to survey infection status of digenetic trematode metacercariae in 2 alien fish species, Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) and Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill), in 2 rivers draining Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. A total of 107 largemouth bass and 244 bluegills were caught in Daecheong-ho (ho=lake) and Musim-cheon (a branch of Geum-gang), in Chungcheongbuk-do April-July 2015. Additionally, 68 native fish of 5 species, i.e., Zacco platypus, Hemibarbus longirostris, Carassius auratus, Pseudogobio esocinus and Puntungia herzi, were caught from the same water bodies. All of the fish collected were examined by artificial digestion method. The metacercariae of Centrocestus armatus, Clinostomum complanatum, Metagonimus sp. and Diplostomum spp. were detected from 4 out of 5 native fish species in Daecheong-ho. However, any metacercariae were not found from 87 M. salmoides and 177 L. macrochirus in Daecheong-ho. In Musim-cheon, metacercariae of Exorchis oviformis and Metacercaria hasegawai were detected from 78% Z. platypus and 34% L. macrochirus, but any metacercariae not found in M. salmoides. We report here that the 2 alien fish species were less infected with the metacercariae than the native ones. Surveys on the metacercariae in the alien fish species in geographically various rivers should be undertaken for better understanding on the role of alien fish species in the trematode infections in Republic of Korea.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.89-92
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• 2016

The bluegill Lepomis macrochirus is an invasive species, not native to Korea, introduced for aquaculture. This species is ranked as a new top predator due to its massive aquatic carnivorous and herbivorous nature by acute vision and the absence of a natural enemy. The visual cells of the retina of L. macrochirus are composed of short single cones and equal double cones and long and bulky rods by light and electron microscopes. In particular, the cones show a regular square mosaic arrangement. This pattern is widely considered as a strong predator. With regard to the visual system, this mosaic pattern may closely be related to a dynamic visual acuity to track and hunt prey.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.209-219
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• 2012

The properties of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and enzyme kinetics. Furthermore, we proposed the optimal conditions for measuring the activity of LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme. The isozymes were detected in the cytosol of eye tissues from Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides and were more similar to the $A_4$ than the $B_4$ isozyme. LDH/CS in the eye tissue of L. macrochirus was increased in September, so the ratio of anaerobic metabolism was high. The electrophoretic patterns of mitochondrial LDH were similar to those of cytosolic LDH in the eye tissues of L. macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme from eye tissue was purified by preparative native-PAGE. The activities of LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes in L. macrochirus and M. salmoides were reduced at concentrations greater than 0.2 mM and 0.1 mM of pyruvate, respectively. These concentrations remained at 5.2% and 15.8% as a result of the inhibition by 10 mM of pyruvate, so the degree of inhibition was very high. The LDH activities of eye tissues were reduced at concentrations greater than 22 mM and 24 mM of lactate, respectively, in L. macrochirus and M. salmoides. The ${K_m}^{PYR}$ of eye-specific $C_4$ was 0.088 mM in L. macrochirus and it was 0.033 mM in M. salmoides. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes were high in ${\alpha}$-ketobutyric acid. Furthermore, the activities of eye tissue and eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme had to be measured with 0.5 mM of pyruvate and a buffer solution of pH 7.5. As a conclusion, the eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme in M. salmoides has a high affinity for pyruvate and exhibits maximum activity at a lower concentration of pyruvate and at higher concentration of lactate than that in L. macrochirus. Therefore, it seems that the energy produced by the LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme in M. salmoides was used at the first stage of predatory behavior.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.185-194
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• 2014

Seasonal monitoring was implemented to understand the influence of macrophyte bed structure on the composition and trophic interaction of aquatic organisms (algae, zooplankton, macro-invertebrate, and fish) in a shallow wetland (Upo Wetland, South Korea). Distinct division of the plant assemblage (reed zone and mixed plant zone) was observed. The reed zone was composed solely of Phragmites communis, whereas the mixed plant zone comprised a diverse macrophyte assemblage (Salvinia natans, Spirodela polyrhiza, Trapa japonica, Ceratophyllum demersum, and Hydrilla verticillata). Most of the aquatic organisms were more abundant in the mixed plant zone than in the reed zone, and this was positively associated with the seasonal development of macrophyte cover. Stable isotope analysis showed seasonal interactions among aquatic organisms. The majority of aquatic animal (zooplankton, Odonata, and Ephemeroptera) were dependent on epiphytic particulate organic matter (EPOM), and the dependence on EPOM gradually increased toward autumn. Interestingly, Lepomis macrochirus consumed Ephemeroptera and zooplankton in both macrophyte zones, but Micropterus salmoides depended on different food items in the reed zone and the mixed plant zone. Although, M. salmoides in the reed zone showed food utilization similar to L. macrochirus, it consumed Odonata or small L. macrochirus in the mixed plant zone. Based on these results, it appears that differences in the structure of the two macrophyte zones support different assemblages of aquatic organisms, strongly influencing the trophic interactions between the aquatic organisms.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.446-455
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• 2004

The ichthyofauna and community structure in Hongcheon river, Korea, was investigated from April to October 2002. During the surveyed period, 52 species belonging 11 families were collected. There were 23 Korean endemic species (44.23%), including Rhodeus uyekii, Acheilognathus signifer, A. yamatsutae, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata and Silurus microdorsalis. Dominant species were Zacco platypus (20.38%), and subdominant species were Z. temmincki (19.62%). Also, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (8.45%), Pungtungia herzi (8.01%), C. splendidus (6.63%) were numerous. Of the 6 introduced fishes in Hongcheon river Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides were originated from foreign countries but Anguilla japonica, Gymnogobius urotaenia, Rhinogobius giurinus were introduced from other native river systems. According to the fish distribution, the fish community of Hongcheon river was divided into 4 groups by principle component analysis (PCA).

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.278-286
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• 2012

This study was examined for information of management of bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus which is disturbance species of underwater ecosystem in Korea. Research of bluegill population was investigated spring-summer and autumn periods in the Han river system from 2009 to 2012. Bluegill inhabited mostly lakes, and restrictedly lived at still area in downstream. The range of relative abundance were 0.2~18.2% in individual number and 0.2~40.0% in biomass and it was subdominant or superiority species for the most part of the lakes. Population structure were analyzed r-strategy in Lake Soyang and Paldang and K-strategy in Lake Uiam and Cheongpyeong. But Lake Chungju was estimated transition period from K-strategy to r-strategy. Condition factor and body weight-total length relations were presented favorable condition. For the nesting, bluegill was formatted the group. And the water depth and the distance from shore were mean 56.3 cm and 191.9 cm respectively in nesting ground. Diameter and depth of nests were mean 42.4 cm and 9.7 cm respectively. These results are available for research of population dynamics and reproductive ecology of bluegill.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1066-1071
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic adjustment of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) isozymes to a change in dissolved oxygen (DO) in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). After bluegills were adapted to a constant environment in an aquarium, the DO was changed to investigate the activity of LDH isozyme and the relative ratio of subunits A, B, and C for each tissue. When the DO was decreased from 18 ppm to 6 ppm, LDH in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain tissues recovered to the level of control activity within 12, 12, and 6 hr, respectively. LDH activity changed in accordance with a change in DO. The compensation was performed rapidly and is thought to be an important function of LDH in enabling bluegills to adapt to their environment. In bluegill heart, eye, and brain tissues, the relative ratio of subunit A increased and showed a tendency to recover similarly to the subunit ratio of control groups up to 12 hr. It is thought that the anaerobic metabolism using subunit A was increased in the initial stage when DO was changed. In addition, the results revealed that subunit C was more similar to subunit A than subunit B. In bluegills, subunits A and C of LDH seem to be evolutionarily similar. LDH isozymes, mainly containing subunits A and C, are likely responsible for the function of pyruvate reductase, which plays a role in making the bluegill adapt to a hypoxic environment through anaerobic metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2016

Metabolism of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) was studied to identify the function of LDH-C. Tissues of LDH liver-specific Ldh-C expressed Carassius auratus and eye-specific Ldh-C expressed Lepomis macrochirus after starvation were studied. LDH activity in liver tissue from C. auratus was increased after starvation. And LDH specific activity (units/mg) and LDH/CS were increased in tissues. It means the anaerobic metabolism was taking place in C. auratus after starvation. LDH B₄ isozyme was decreased in skeletal muscle and increased in heart tissue. LDH C₄ isozymes those showed in eye and brain tissues were identified as liver-specific C₄ isozymes and disappeared after starvation. And C hybrid in eye, A₄ isozyme in brain, and both C hybrid and C₄ isozyme in liver tissue were increased, respectively. In L. macrochirus, the level of variation of LDH activities was low but greatly increased especially in eye tissue and LDH A₄ and AC hybrid were increased in brain tissue. The LDH activities in tissues from C. auratus and L. macrochirus remained 30.30-18.64% and 25-18.75%, respectively, as a result of the inhibition by 10 mM of pyruvate. The Km^PYR values of LDH in C. auratus were increased. As a result, LDH liver-specific C₄ isozyme was expressed in liver, brain and eye tissues during starvation. It seems metabolism of lactate was predominant in brain tissue. After starvation, the liver-specific LDH-C was affected more than eye-specific LDH-C.