• Title/Summary/Keyword: National Institute of Ecology

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Hibernation Durations Affect Life-history Traits of Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an Endangered Dung Beetle

  • Kim, Mannyun;Kim, Hwang;Choi, Ye-Jin;Koh, Min-Hee;Jang, Keum Hee;Kim, Young-Joong
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.2 no.4
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    • pp.279-284
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    • 2021
  • The dung beetle, Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is one of endangered species in South Korea. It was last recorded in 1971. To restore this species, we introduced G. mopsus populations from eastern and southern regions of Mongolia in July 2019 and August 2019, respectively. One of the main tasks for the restoration of endangered insects is to develop breeding techniques to eventually incorporate these insects into the restoration system. In a series of laboratory experiments, we investigated effects of short-term hibernation periods on life-history traits of G. mopsus. Adult G. mopsus that had hibernated for 30, 60, and 90 days had lower survival rates than adults that had hibernated for 120 days. We also compared developmental time of these four experimental groups and found a significant difference in the egg - phase. However, the duration of hibernation did not affect the fecundity, brood-ball size, or body size of F1 adults. Follow-up studies are currently being conducted to further investigate the effect of a short-term hibernation period on population growth of G. mopsus under laboratory conditions.

Development of a Plastid DNA-Based Maker for the Identification of Five Medicago Plants in South Korea

  • Kim, Il Ryong;Yoon, A-Mi;Lim, Hye Song;Lee, Sunghyeon;Lee, Jung Ro;Choi, Wonkyun
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.3 no.4
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    • pp.212-220
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    • 2022
  • DNA markers have been studied and used intensively to identify plant species based on molecular approaches. The genus Medicago belongs to the family Fabaceae and contains 87 species distributed from the Mediterranean to central Asia. Five species of Medicago are known to be distributed in South Korea; however, their morphological characteristics alone cannot distinguish the species. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships using collected five species of Medicago from South Korea and 44 taxa nucleotide information from NCBI. The constructed phylogenetic tree using gibberellin 3-oxidase 1 and tRNALys (UUU) to maturase K gene sequences showed the monophyly of the genus Medicago, with five species each forming a single clade. These results suggest that there are five species of Medicago distributed in South Korea. In addition, we designed polymerase chain reaction primers for species-specific detection of Medicago by comparing the plastid sequences. The accuracy of the designed primer pairs was confirmed for each Medicago species. The findings of this study provide efficient and novel species identification methods for Medicago, which will assist in the identification of wild plants for the management of alien species and living modified organisms.

Microhabitat Characteristics Determine Fish Community Structure in a Small Stream (Yudeung Stream, South Korea)

  • Choi, Jong-Yun;Kim, Seong-Ki;Kim, Jeong-Cheol;Lee, Hyeon-Jeong;Kwon, Hyo-Jeong;Yun, Jong-Hak
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.53-61
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    • 2021
  • Distribution of fish community depends largely on environmental disturbance such as habitat change. In this study, we evaluated the impact of environmental variables and microhabitat patch types on fish distribution in Yudeung Stream at 15 sites between early May and late June 2019. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling to examine the distribution patterns of fish in each site. Gnathopogon strigatus, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Zacco koreanus, and Zacco platypus were associated with riffle and boulder areas, whereas Iksookimia koreensis, Acheilognathus koreensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis morii, and Odontobutis interrupta were associated with large shallow areas. In contrast, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, Lepomis macrochirus, and Micropterus salmoides were found at downstream sites associated with large pool areas, sandy/clay-bottomed areas, and vegetated areas. On the basis of these results, we suggest that microhabitat patch types are important in determining the diversity and abundance of fish communities, since a mosaic of different microhabitats supports diverse fish species. As such, microhabitat patches are key components of freshwater stream ecosystem heterogeneity, and a suitable patch composition in stream construction or restoration schemes will support ecologically healthy food webs.

Establishment of detection methods for approved LMO in Korea (국내 승인 유전자변형 작물의 검출 기법 확립)

  • Seol, Min-A;Lee, Jung Ro;Choi, Wonkyun;Jo, Beom-Ho;Moon, Jeong Chan;Shin, Su Young;Eum, Soon-Jae;Kim, Il Ryong;Song, Hae-Ryong
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.42 no.3
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    • pp.196-203
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    • 2015
  • AbstractLiving modified organisms (LMO) are one of the most widespread products of modern biotechnology after DNA discovery. Due to the decline of grain self-sufficiency rate and the increase of reliance on LMO imports in Korea, a series of concerns with regard to safety of living modified(LM) crops has been raised. The aim of this study is to establish the detection methods for unintentional release or growing of LMO plants in environmental conditions. To detect LM crop events, general concepts of specific primer design and PCR conditions were provided by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The certified reference materials of seven LM events (4 soybean, 2 cotton and 1 corn) were obtained from the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) and the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS). Genomic DNA from seven LM events were purified and PCR amplifications were carried out by using individual event-specific primer sets. LM-specific PCR products of all seven events were efficiently amplified by our methods. The results indicate that the established detection method for LMOs is suitable as a scientific tool to monitor whether the crops found in natural environments are LMOs.

Measuring the Effectiveness of an Ecosystem Service to Regulate Air Quality in Wetland, South Korea

  • Kim, Jung In;Lee, Kyungeun;Yeo, Inae;Choi, Tae-Young;Lee, Beom Hee;Jung, Pil Mo;Joo, Wooyeong
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.62-69
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    • 2021
  • This study aimed to verify the suitability of an air quality regulating service for wetland ecosystem service evaluation by investigating the effect of reducing particulate matter (PM) on vegetation in wetlands. We installed tunnel-type experimental plots at Yonghwasil Pond in the National Institute of Ecology and set up the input and output of PM by applying the natural vegetation of the relevant wetlands. We took measurements by replicating four different conditions four times each. The air quality regulating service in each experimental plot was measured based on PM10 concentration; further, the difference between the input and the output concentration of PM passing through the Phragmites australis community tunnel was measured using a light scattering method. For the Phragmites australis community in the outdoor conditions and bare land, the PM concentration was measured with the same specifications as tunnel-type experimental plots without setting up the input and output. For the tunnel-type experimental plots, PM10 concentration was significantly lower in the output than in the input. Furthermore, in the outdoor conditions, a comparison between the Phragmites australis community and bare land showed that the concentration was relatively low in the former than in the latter. This confirmed the PM reducing effect due to the blockage and absorption of PM depending on the growth of Phragmites australis. Based on the results of this study, we assessed the air quality regulating service in wetlands as an evaluation indicator.

Development of multiplex PCR-based detection method for five approved LM canola events in Korea (Multiplex PCR 방법을 이용한 국내 승인 5개 LM 유채의 검출법 개발)

  • Jo, Beom-Ho;Lee, Jung Ro;Choi, Wonkyun;Moon, Jeong Chan;Shin, Su Young;Eum, Soon-Jae;Seol, Min-A;Kim, Il Ryong;Song, Hae-Ryong
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.42 no.2
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    • pp.117-122
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    • 2015
  • Canola is a crop globally used for production of oil and biofuel. Cultivation area and import volume of living modified (LM) canola have been increasing every year. As canola import dependence has reached 100% in Korea, efforts have been made for safety management of LM canola and ecological risk assessment. We developed a set of multiplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of 5 LM canola events (Topas 19/2, Rf3, Ms8, RT73 and T45) approved in Korea. The multiplex PCR assay developed allows amplification of estimated products of 5 LM canolas from event specific primer sets. Primer extension time was skipped for a time-consuming process and two annealing steps (20 cycles at $55^{\circ}C$ and 20 cycles at $60^{\circ}C$) were performed for yielding the best result which was sufficient to distinguish five LM canolas. Our results suggest that multiplex PCR method provides a cost and time-effective approach for LM canola detection.