• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.147-149
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• 2024

We report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of endangered yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula. The complete mitochondrial genome of M. flavigula is 16,555 bp in length. We identified 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, two ribosomal RNA, and one control region. The mitogenome is A+T rich, with a composition of 31.3% A, 28.7% C, 13.0% G, and 27.0% T. According to phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial complete genomes, Martes flavigula in the subgenus Charronia was clearly distinct from the subgenus Martes. This phylogeny of the genus Martes supports the conventional systematic treatment. The genetic and taxonomic analysis in this study provides necessary information for the future studies of yellow-throated marten and the Mustelidae family.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2015

We investigated habitat characteristics of the yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula (Carnivora : Mustelidae) using geographic information system (GIS). GPS coordinates of the target mammal traces and seven habitat factors were used for the GIS analysis. The Odaesan National Park (ONP) is selected as a study area for GIS analysis of the habitat characteristics. According to the GIS analysis of whole area of ONP, main forest type was broadleaf trees which occupy 72% of forests. Trees of 4th to 6th age-calss account for 93% of the ONP forests. The mean elevation and slope of ONP was 901 m and $22.1^{\circ}$, respectively. According to the GIS analysis of M. flavigula habitats in ONP, most M. flavigula traces were found in borad-leaf forests and coniferous forests which are main forest types of ONP. In addition, the yellow-throated marten recorded a relatively high appearance rate of 7% in unstocked forests, which account for much less than 1% of the area of ONP. Most of the marten traces were found in forests with trees of 4th to 6th age-classes. The traces were found in the forest types in higher elevation (1,080.3 m) and lower slope ($15.0^{\circ}$) on average, compared with those of ONP. Appearance rate of the marten traces was 96% in range less than 600 m from the water. The traces were frequently found in areas far distantly beyond 1,400 m range from human residental areas and cultivated areas.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.99-114
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• 2013

Phylogeographic and feeding ecological studies of seven terrestrial mustelid species (Carnivora, Mustelidae), the Japanese marten Martes melampus, the sable Martes zibellina, the Japanese badger Meles anakuma, the ermine or the stoat Mustela erminea, the Japanese weasel Mustela itatsi, the least weasel Mustela nivalis, and the Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica, representing four biogeographic patterns in the Japanese archipelagos (Hokkaido, Honshu-Shikoku-Kyushu, Tsushima, and Hokkaido-Honshu), were reviewed in order to clarify causes for the faunal assemblage processes of those mustelid species in Japan. Here, three main constraints were extracted as important factors on the mustelid assemblage. First, fundamental evolutionary differences maintained by niche conservatism in each ecologically diversified lineage ("evolutionary constraint") would enable the species to co-occur without any major problem (coexistence among Martes, Meles, and Mustela species). Second, "ecological constraints" would force two closely related species to be allopatric by competitive exclusion (Mu. itatsi and Mu. sibirica) or to be sympatric by resource partitions (Mu. erminea and Mu. nivalis). Third and most importantly, "geological constraints" would allow specific species to be embraced by a particular geographic region, primarily deciding which species co-occurs. The allopatric distribution of two Martes species in Japan would have been established by the strong effect of the geological separation in Tsugaru Strait. Elucidating both phylogeny and ecology of co-existing species in a community assemblage is important to know which species possess distinct lineage and which ecological traits are adapted to local environments, fulfilling the requirement of the field of conservation biology that endemism and adaptation should both be considered. The Japanese archipelagos would, therefore, provide valuable insight into the conservation for small carnivoran species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.647-656
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• 2019

Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is a dominant echinostome in animal reservoir hosts and humans in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We intended to investigate the infection status with this echinostome species in the several species of wild animals and describe the morphological characteristics in the faunistic view point. A total of 175 animal carcasses belonging to 3 families, i.e., Canidae, Felidae and Mustelidae, were collected from the southern regions of Korea from March 2010 to July 2017. Isthmiophora spp. worms were recovered from the small intestines of each animal under a stereomicroscope after washing of intestinal contents. Isthmiophora hortensis was recovered from 4 species of wild carnivores, i.e., Nyctereutes procyonoides (3/107: 2.8%), Mustela sibirica (11/31: 35.5%), Meles lucurus (2/3: 33.3%) and Martes flavigula (1/2: 50%). The other 3 carnivores comprising stray dogs, cat and leopard cat were negative for I. hortensis infection (0/2, 0/10 and 0/12, respectively). Specimens obtained from the Lutra lutra (6/8: 75%) were identified as a distinct species, I. inermis, by morphological comparison. Isthmiophora inermis has thinner body, elongate testes and different anterior limits of vitelline fields. Detailed morphological descriptions and comparisons with the morphological characteristics are provided. Conclusively, it was confirmed for the first time that 3 species of mustelid mammals, i.e., M. sibirica, M. lucurus, and M. flavigula, are to be the new definitive hosts of I. hortensis in Korea. Additionally, I. inermis is to be newly added in the Korean echinostome fauna.

• 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.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.521-524
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• 2019

We are going to describe the female soboliphymid nematodes, which were recovered from the stomach of a Asian badger, Meles leucurus (Mammalia: Mustelidae), in Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. In February 1998, we found 2 peculiar nematodes with a cup-like organ in the anterior end from the stomach of badger. Recovered worms were fixed with 10% formalin, cleared in glycerin-alcohol solution and observed under a light microscope with a micrometer. They were 34.46 (33.43-35.50) mm long by 2.13 mm at maximum width. Cephalic sucker cup-like, 3.34 (3.13-3.55) mm wide, 2.40 (2.25-2.55) mm long, with the oral aperture and meridionally striated on the buccal capsule. Oral aperture 2.38 mm in diameter. Circumoral membrane 0.41 (0.38-0.45) mm wide. Esophagus muscular, 4.81 (4.50-5.00) mm long by 0.80 (0.78-0.83) mm at maximum width. Vulva situated at 3.13 mm ventro-anterior level from the esophago-intestinal junction. Vagina anteriad, 3.38 mm long, making a canal from the uterus to the vulva opening. Uterus single, large. Tail 0.35 (0.33-0.38) mm long. Intrauterine eggs long elliptical, 0.058-0.065 (0.062) mm long and 0.030-0.033 (0.031) mm wide. Based on the some morphological characters and host-specificity, our specimens are nearly identical with S. baturini. Therefore, the present report describes S. baturini for the first time in Korea.