• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 1999

A new species of gudgeon, Microphysogobio rapidus is described from 25 specimens collected from the Naktong River system, Korea. The new species is similar to Microphysogobio yaluensis but is distinguished from the latter and congeners by the combination of the following characteristics: number of papilla on the upper lip, 4.5 scales above the lateral line, short distance from the anus to the origin of the anal fin, wide scaleless area of the abdomen, nuptial colour consisting of a longitudinal green stripe on the lateral side of the body and bright blue colour of the suborbital region and operculum. A key to the species of Microphysogobio from Korea is also included.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2024

In ecosystems within limited resources, interspecific competition is inevitable, often leading to the competitive exclusion of inferior species. This study aims to provide foundational information for the conservation and restoration management of Microphysogobio rapidus by evaluating species' ecological response to biological factors within its habitat. To understand this relationship, we collected food web organisms from site where M. rapidus coexist with Microphysogobio yaluensis, a specie ecologically similar to M. rapidus, and evaluated the trophic levels (TL), isotopic niche space (INS), and the overlap of INS among fishes within the habitat using stable isotope analysis. Our analysis revealed that the M. rapidus exhibited a higher TL than M. yaluensis, with TL of 2.6 and 2.4, respectively. M. yaluensis exhibited a broad INS, significantly influencing the feeding characteristics of most fish. Conversely, M. rapidus showed a narrow INS and asymmetric feeding relationships with other species, in habitats with high competition levels. This feeding characteristics of M. rapidus indicate that the increase in competitors sharing the similar resources lead to a decrease in available resources and, consequently, is expected to result in a decrease in their density.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2015

Egg development and early life history of the endangered species, Microphysogobio rapidus was investigated to get a basic information for biological characteristics and recovery strategy. Eggs were obtained from females by injecting Ovaprim (0.5 mL/kg) and artificially fertilized by dry method in the laboratory. The mature eggs were slightly adhesive and separated with light bluish green and $0.63{\pm}0.02mm$ (n=20) in diameter. Number of eggs in the ovaries were $3,827{\pm}1,225$ (2,850 ~ 5,916). The hatching occurred at 72 hours after fertilization under water temperature of $21{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. The newly-hatched larvae were $2.79{\pm}0.04mm$ (n=10) in total length. At 5 days after hatching, they were average $4.10{\pm}0.07mm$ (n=10) in TL and their yolk sacs were completely absorbed. 30 days after hatching, they became to juvenile stage and reached $9.74{\pm}0.24mm$ (n=10) in TL. At 100 days after hatching, the band patterns and external form were similar to those of adults, average $27.00{\pm}1.94mm$ (n=10) in TL.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1999

The five species of the genus Microphysogobio in Korea are reviewed with the keys to species and their illustrations: M. longidorsalis, M. jeoni sp. nov., M. koreeneis, M. yaluensis, and M. rapidus. Microphysogobio tungtingensis uchidai was treated as a junior synonym of M. yaluensis based on having the distinct papillae of upper lip and the color pattern on body sides by the examination of the type specimens. Microphysogobio jeoni is described as a new species from the specimens collected in the Naktong River, Han River and Keum River, Korea. it is well distinguished from the related species by the slender body, undeveloped papillae of upper lip and unspotted fins. Microphysogobio yaluensis was showed the clinal variations in the number of lateral line scales and vertebrae among the populations in the western drainages of Korea. It is remarked biogeographically that the five species of Microphysogobio are all endemics to Korea with the restricted ranges.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.229-241
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• 2023

Microphysogobio rapidus is designated as endangered species class I by Ministry of Environment, and its distribution and population have been gradually declining, and it is now limited to the Nam River and some tributary streams of the Nakdong River Watershed. For the restoration of this highly endangered species, it is important to identify the causes of the decline and establish appropriate restoration plans. However, due to lack of basic data and ecological research, most steps are stagnant. Therefore, in this study, we identified the differences in the physical, biological, and sociological habitats between current and past distributed sites through field surveys and literature reviews. As a result of the field survey, there were differences in conductivity between the current and past distributed sites, and fish communities were also showed differences. The literature data also showed that the physico-chemical values of the past distributed sites were generally unfavorable, which generated negative consequences on biological factors. In particular, the effects of urbanization were found to be a major factor affecting the habitat of M. rapidus. Habitat stabilization is crucial for the recovery of this endangered species. However, in the past distributed sites, disturbances such as stream development and weir construction have altered streams physico-chemically and result in changes of M. rapidus. Therefore, a comprehensive plan that considers both stream connectivity and water quality is needed to manage and restore the habitat of M. rapidus.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2023

Captive breeding and reintroduction are crucial strategies for conserving endangered species populations. However, fish raised in predator-free environments, show a lack of recognition of predationrelated stimuli such as chemical and visual signals. It is critical to recognize chemical signals from injured conspecifics, also known as alarm signals, and the order or shape of predators to indicate the spread of predation risk in the habitat. We conducted a laboratory experiment to determine and adjust the optimal exposure period to induce appropriate anti-predator behavior response to different types of stimuli (Chemical, Visual and Chemical+Visual) for the endangered species Microphysogobio rapidus. Our results demonstrate that predator avoidance behavior varies depending on the types of stimuli and the duration of predation risk exposure. First, the results showed captive-breed M. rapidus show lack of response against conspecific alarm signal (Chemical cue) before the predation risk exposure period and tend to increase response over predation risk exposure time. Second, response to predator (visual cue) tend to peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, but show dramatic decrease after 72 hours cumulative exposure. Finally, response to the mixed cue (Chemical+visual) tend to peak prior to the predation risk exposure period and show reduced response during subsequent exposure periods. This experiment confirms the lack of responsiveness to conspecific alarm signals in captive-bred M. rapidus and the need for an optimal nature behavior enhancement program prior to release of endangered species. Furthermore, responsiveness to predator visual signal peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, suggest an optimal predation risk exposure period of up to 48 hours.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.2 s.107
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• pp.227-235
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• 2004

Fish fauna and community structure were surveyed in the Nakdong River, Gumi City, Kyeongpook province from April 2001 to July 2002. During the surveyed Period, 39 species, 32 genera belonging to 10 families were collected. Cyprinid fish occupied 64.1% (25 species) and cobitid fish had 7.7% (3 species). Fourteen species(35.9%) of observed species were known as endemic species. The exotic fish was Micropterus salmoides (2.5%) . The dominant species were Zacco platypus (relative abundance: 36.7%) and Opsariichthys uncirorstris amurensis (22.7%). Carassius aurafus and Microphysogobio rapidus were numerous (4.0${\sim}$4.3%). The rare species comprising less than 0.15% were Acheilognathus koreensis, Aphyocypris chinensis, Iksookimia longicorpus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Rhinogobius giurinus, Sarcocheilichthys variagatus wakiyae, Silurus asotus astus, and Channa argus. It was found that the population density of carnivorous Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis increased drastically in the mid-reach of the Nakdong river since it had been introduced from the other native rivers in the middle 1990s. Gobiobotia nakdongensis inhabit riffle (water velocity : 0.43${\sim}$0.67 m $s^{-1}$) of which the river bed is mainly sand. This species is considered to be in need of conservation. As the result of analyzing fish community in the surveyed area, the species diversity, evenness and dominant indices were 1.008, 0.663 and 0.196 respectively. The findings showed that the tributary, which the waterside plants were abundant and had various habitats, had a higher species diversity (1.112) than the main river (0.787). Sand mining had been disturbing the river ecosystem of the study stations 3, 11, 13 & 14, and these stations showed a quite low species diversity (0.421 ${\sim}$0.574).