• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2009

Essential oils of the musk from wild muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Fifty-six chemical components were separated, and 14 volatile compounds (78% of composition of total essential oil) of macrocyclic musk, mainly cyclopentadecanone, 12-hydroxy-14-methyl-oxa-cyclotetradec-6-en-2-one, cycloheptadecanone and 9-cycloheptadecen-1-one, were identified by the comparison of Wiley/NBS Library from the results of GC-MS. However, l-muscone, a compound reported by earlier workers in the musk from muskrat, was not detected using the spike test in this study. Interestingly, cyclohexadecanone, which has the same molecular weight (Mw 238) as l-muscone, was identified. In addition, it is considered that because of possessing much higher amounts of macrocyclic components compared to the original musk, muskrat has higher economic values in perfume and pharmaceutical industries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.630-633
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• 2020

Renal failure syndrome in wild mammals is infrequently reported. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a medium-sized rodent known to carry many diseases but rarely exhibiting renal failure. A six-month old female muskrat was submitted to our laboratory for pathological diagnosis, and necropsy revealed severe renal damage with sand-like lithiasis in the ureter, renal calculi, and hydronephrosis. All major organs, including the cerebrum, also showed systemic hemorrhage and calcification which may have been due to uremia induced by renal failure. Histopathologically, necrosis and microcalcification were detected in the renal cortex and the medulla, especially in the proximal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney. Significant hyalinization of the glomeruli was also observed, and this suggested chronic nephritis. These findings would support mycotoxic effects, particularly on the kidney. Moreover, infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells was observed in the lung and of plasma cells in the spleen. The definitive cause of the toxic effects in this case of muskrat renal failure could be attributed to contaminated food.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 2009

Suppuratives bronchopneumonia was found in a 3-month old domestic muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Dead muskrat showed hemorrhagic nasal discharge, severe hemorrhage and consolidation were observed in the lungs in necropsy. Histologically, severe polymorphic neutrophils and alveolar macrophages were infiltrated in the bronchus, bronchioles, alveoli. P. multocida and B. bronchiseptica were identified from the lungs, Klebsiella was isolated from the cecum. We demonstrated those organisms by biochemical test and confirmed P. multocida capsular type A by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.165-178
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• 2020

This study investigated the exotic mammals introduced to Korea to present the basic data necessary for ecological risk assessment and the establishment of an alien species management database. For this purpose, a list of alien mammals introduced to Korea was established by investigating alien mammals introduced for zoo exhibits purposes, alien mammals in breeding environments traded between individuals, and alien mammals introduced into nature. A total of 163 taxa were identified as alien mammals introduced to Korea. There were 139 taxonomic groups of ornamental alien mammals, including 11 orders, 44 families, 129 species and 10 subspecies; 28 taxonomic groups of alien mammals traded between individuals, including five orders and 19 families; and eight taxonomic groups of alien mammals introduced into nature, including four orders, seven families, seven species, and one subspecies. For the effective management of alien mammals introduced to Korea, it is important to collect basic information, such as a list of all species introduced, their populations, and introduced areas. It is also necessary to apply proactive management policies according to the degree of potential risk by preemptively evaluating the ecological risks that may arise from the introduction of alien species into natural ecosystems. For the eight taxonomic groups of Capra hircus, Cervus nippon taiouanus, Felis catus, Myocastor coypus, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Ondatra zibethicus, Ovis aries, and Rattus norvegicus identified to be introduced into the natural ecosystem of Korea, the provision of proliferation control measures at the national level, continuous monitoring of changes in diffusion trends, and immediate response based on the degree of change are required.