• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.967-972
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• 2022

We investigated the molecular and morphological traits of 338 individual macrourids collected from the Southern Ocean (FAO area number, 88.1 and 88.3) between 2021 and 2022 by Korean bottom trawls. We first identified them as Macrourus caml and Macrourus whitsoni based on morphological traits, such as the number of pelvic fin rays (PF) and the rows of lower jaw teeth (LJT). However four individuals showed uncategorizable morphological characteristics such as PF and LJT numbers that overlapped between the two species. Subsequently, we obtained and analyzed 509 bp of the mtDNA COI sequences of 49 individuals, including the four unidentified individuals, and found only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that distinguished the two species. Finally, using our molecular identification key, we confirmed that each two individuals were misidentified as M. whitsoni and M. caml reversely. Our results suggest that the number of PF and LJT should be investigated together to accurately identify the two species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2021

Since the original description of new species, Eumicrotremus jindoensis, we confirmed the first occurrence of E. jindoensis based on a single specimen (22.3 mm SL) caught by inshore stow net at the coastal waters of Boryeong of Korea. However, our specimen slightly differed from type specimens in having more vertebrae (26 vs. 21~24), longer snout (17.4% vs. 8.1~9.1%), longer preanus length (67.5% vs. 58.0~58.3%) and shorter second dorsal fin base (15.3% vs. 20.2~20.8%). Comparing with mtDNA COI and Cytb sequences, we could not find any differences in mtDNA Cytb sequences between our specimen and type specimens, which suggest that those morphological differences may belong to local variation by habitat and environmental condition between off Jindo Island and off Boryeong in Korea. Eumicrotremus uenoi is known from the southern sea of Korea narrowly (Busan, Tongyeong, and Jeju Island), the other congeneric species (E. asperrimus, E. pacificus, and E. taranetzi) from only the eastern sea of Korea, but E. jindoensis from the central coast to southern coast of western Korea.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2019

Pufferfish (Takifugu spp.) are economically important edible marine fish. Mistakes in pufferfish classification can lead to poisoning; therefore, accurate species identification is critical. In this study, we used the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) to design specific primers for six Takifugu species among the 21 domestic or imported pufferfish species legally sold for consumption in Korea. We rapidly and simultaneously identified these pufferfish species using a highly efficient, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system with the six species-specific primers. The results showed that species-specific multiplex PCR (multiplex species-specific polymerase chain reaction; MSS-PCR) either specifically amplified PCR products of a unique size or failed. MSS-PCR yielded amplification fragment lengths of 897 bp for Takifugu pardalis, 822 bp for T. porphyreus, 667 bp for T. niphobles, 454 bp for T. poecilonotus, 366 bp for T. rubripes, and 230 bp for T. xanthpterus using the species-specific primers and a control primer (ca. 1,200 bp). We visualized the results using agarose gel electrophoresis to obtain accurate contrasts of the six Takifugu species. MSS-PCR analysis is easily performed and provides identification results within 6 h. This technique is a powerful tool for the discrimination of Takifugu species and will help prevent falsified labeling, protect consumer rights, and reduce the risk of pufferfish poisoning..

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 2024

In May 2020, a single larval specimen (5.14 mm in total length) was collected from the southeastern sea of Jeju Island of Korea using bongo net. The specimen was identified as Lepidotrigla longifaciata based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences. The morphological traits of the L. longifaciata larva are as follows: a long snout, a large mouth, large fan-shaped pectoral fins, and black melanophores scattered on the abdominal cavity and nape. We propose the new Korean name 'Gin-meo-ri-dal-jae' for this species, which was first discovered in Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.454-461
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• 2019

Background: Ikonnikov's whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b). Results: The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited. Conclusions: This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi. We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.497-501
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• 2014

A single specimen of Brama orcini (267.0 mm standard length, SL), belonging to the family Bramidae, was collected by purse seine from Jeju Strait, Korea, in December 2013. The specimen is characterized by having 16 gill rakers, 54 lateral line scales, and 36 vertebrae. B. orcini is distinguished from the most similar species, Brama japonica, by the number of lateral line scales (52-54 in B. orcini vs. 65-75 in B. japonica). We propose a new Korean name "Keun-bi-neul-sae-da-rae" for B. orcini.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 2013

A single specimen of a juvenile Stethojulis trilineata was first collected from the coastal waters of Ulsan, Korea, in October 2012. This species is characterized by IX dorsal fin spines, 26 lateral line scales, 25 vertebrae, dark spots between the 10th and 11th dorsal fin rays, and a caudal peduncle region. The new Korean name proposed is "Se-jul-mu-ji-gae-nol-rae-gi" for S. trilineata.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.240-243
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• 2023

The genus and species, Diekeana insignis(Gorham), is reported for the first time in Korea. Male adults were collected from Geoje Island and Changwon-si, located in the southern part of South Korea. The species of D. insignis(Gorham) is characterized by the following morphological characteristics: body length about 9.4mm; pronotum with transverse black marking in the middle part; each elytron with seven large black markings; penis long, slightly bent at apical part, truncate at apex; parameres narrow and as long as penis guide; penis guide narrow and pointed at apex. We herein provide habitus photographs, illustrations of morphological characters, male genitalia, and a detailed diagnosis. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene was obtained and provided mtDNA information for this species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.143-154
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• 2020

Background: Korean wild boars (Sus scrofa coreanus Heude), because of their adaptability, are a widespread large mammal; however, they sometimes cause problems by invading farms and eating the crops, creating insufficiencies of some foods in South Korea. To understand the diet composition of Korean wild boars according to sex and body size, we collected their feces from Mt. Jeombongsan, Seoraksan National Park, South Korea. The sizes of fecal samples were measured, and genomic DNA was extracted from the samples. We amplified specific loci targeting plants (rbcL and trnL) and animals (COI) to detect the food sources of this omnivore and amplified the ZF and SRY regions to determine the sex. Results: In the wild boar feces, Rosaceae and Bryophyte were the most frequently detected plant food sources at the family level and Diptera and Haplotaxida were the most frequently detected animal food sources at the order level. As a result of sex determination, the sex ratio of wild boars collected in the Mt. Jeombongsan area was approximately 1:1. Our result suggested that there is no significant difference between the diet composition of male and female boars. Based on the average cross-sectional area of the feces, the top 25% were classified into the large body size group and the bottom 25% were classified into the small body size group. The large body size group mainly preferred Actinidiaceae, and the small body size group most frequently consumed Fagaceae. The diet of the large body size group was more diverse than the small body size group. Conclusions: Our results showed that the wild boars preferred Rosaceae, especially Sanguisorba and Filipendula, as plant food sources, and Diptera and Coleoptera of Insecta as animal food sources. Based on the results, the dietary preferences of wild boar appear to be distinguished by not their sex but their body size. Our study could help to elucidate the feeding ecology and population structure of wild boar, as well as address conservation and management issues.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.493-498
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• 2016

Squalus acanthias has been considered the valid scientific name for piked dogfish by many taxonomists, although others recognize two valid species, Squalus suckleyi and S. acanthias, based on differences in the numbers of precaudal vertebrae and their distribution. We compared Korean piked dogfish with S. acanthias from New Zealand using morphological and molecular methods to elucidate the taxonomy. The Korean piked dogfish was distinguished from S. acanthias from New Zealand by the number of precaudal vertebrae (70-75 in the former vs. 77-80 in the latter) and 540 base pairs in the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence (genetic distance: 0.007-0.013). Therefore, we suggest that the scientific name of the Korean piked dogfish be changed from S. acanthias to S. suckleyi.