• Animal cells and systems
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.231-233
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• 2004

Sequences of cytochrome b gene and control region of mitochondrial DNA from Korean common otters (Lutra lutra lutra L.) were examined to provide the genetic information for the conservation of this subspecies. Two haplotypes and one haplotype were revealed in cytochrome b gene and control region, respectively. The available sequences of European common otter (L. l. lutra) from GenBank were compared together with those of Korean common otter in order to determine the degree of sequence variation between them. In cytochrome b gene sequences, two haplotypes from Korea and two haplotypes of Europe showed differences in 12 of 1,045 sites. The Tamura-Nei nucleotide distances between two European haplotypes was 0.10% and those between two Korean haplotypes was also 0.10%, but those between Korean haplotypes and European ones ranged from 0.96% to 1.16%. In the control region, one Korean haplotype and seven European ones showed differences in seven of 300 sites; the Tamura-Nei distances among seven European haplotypes were 0.34% to 1.01%, but those between Korean haplotype and European ones ranged from 1.01% to 1.69%. Although further molecular and morphological studies with specimens from eastern Asia including Amur region and northeast China are needed, it is possible that the Korean common otter might be closer or identical to the far-eastern Asian common otter, L. l. amurensis Dybowski.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.42-48
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• 2023

An adult male Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) with ataxia and lethargy was rescued. Through the necropsy of this otter with neurological symptoms, a broad range of vascular damage caused by mercury toxicity in several organs, hepatocellular necrosis, and vacuolation in the brain. In mercury examination, liver, kidney, and hair showed values of 0.878 ± 0.027, 1.807 ± 0.049, and 5.712 ± 0.102 ㎍/g, respectively. Compared with certified reference material, it was confirmed that the concentration of mercury were 6.7 times, 13.7 times, and 43.3 times higher, respectively. When the symptoms and diagnosis results were comprehensively reviewed, this otter's demise was revealed due to mercury poisoning. The mercury concentration in the liver does not exceed the lowest observed effect level of 3.4 ㎍/g. However, even at low concentrations, long-term accumulation can cause symptoms including neuropathy, and the possibility that these heavy metals have accumulated in other wild animals cannot be ruled out. It seems that continuous monitoring using sentinel animals is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.3 s.59
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• pp.315-321
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• 2005

The population of river otter (Lutra lutra) has been declined most of the world due to hunting, habitat destruction and indirect or direct influences of eutrophication, acidification and toxic chemicals. This study is conducted to identify the population decline of river otter in Korea with relation to environmental pollution caused by accumulation of heavy and flared metals. The field survey was conducted during Jan~Dec, 2004 at a monthly basis by collecting spraints. A total of 228 spraints were collected and analysis was done by ICP-AES. The concentrations of fourteen metals (Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, Mg, Cu, Al, Ba Hg, As) have been determined. Annual concentrations of Cd $(1.38{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Zn\;(599.06\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Pb\;(5.54\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1})$ at Gucheon were higher than those of Yeonchocheon. Concentrations of $Cr\;(5.01{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Ni\;(1.91{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Co\;(0.25{\mu}g\;g^{-1})$ were higher at Yeonchocheon. Most metals in winter were significantly increased (P<0.05) as season progressed from spring to winter. $Pb\;(15.58{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;Cu\;(15.15{\mu}g\;g^{-1}),\;a;Guchoen\;and\;Cr\;(5.77{\mu}g\;g^{-1})$ at Yeonchocheon were high in the downstream of winter.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

Among the 13 species of otters in the world, only one Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is found in South Korea. In the Korean Peninsula, otter pelts were historically valuable and expensive commodities used for international trade, and otters have long been poached as hunting animals. Recent rapid economic development in South Korea has increased habitat fragmentation and loss, creating a continuing threat to the natural environment. Otters live only in the area of rivers and streams as a family group and are territorial (linear habitat). Due to these limited conditions of otter habitat, the population size of otter is lower than that of onshore mammals. According to recent research, DNA analyses using microsatellite markers have shown that only approximately 7-21 otter individuals inhabit river systems for a length of 50-230 km. Korea's urban streams are associated with many threats that hinder otters from inhabiting them. Many areas around the urban streams are surrounded by high concrete riverbanks, and the risk of roadkill is also high. Nevertheless, ecological restoration projects in the urban rivers will contribute greatly to the stable inhabitation of otters. Detailed otter conservation strategies, such as the elimination of threat factors, improvement of habitat environment, and restoration of food resources and shelter, will provide a positive restoration effect on otter and river ecosystems as well.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.501-513
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• 2002

Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is one of endangered wildlife species whose population size is declining in Korea. To manage and conserve habitat for Eurasian otter, it is crucial to understand which habitat components affect otter habitat qualities. The objectives of this study were to develop a habitat suitability model of Eurasian otter in Soraksan National Park, to validate the model in Odaesan National Park. The research methods of this study were as follows. First, trace data and characters of Eurasian otter habitat were collected with Geographic Information System (GIS) data and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers between 2000 and 2002. Second, the habitat use factors were identified as habitat characteristics of Eurasian otter and classified with habitat use and availability analyses. Third, significant factors of habitat model were extracted by Chi-square test. The last, Eurasian Otter Habitat Suitability Model (EOHSM) was employed by logistic regression method. Otter habitat use was positively associated with the reeds and shrubs areas adjacent to streams, the size of boulders, and low human disturbance in Soraksan National Park by EOHSM. This model had a classification accuracy of 74.4% at cutoff value of 0.5. Model validation showed a classification accuracy of 86.6 % at cut off value of 0.5 for otter habitat in Odaesan National Park.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.395-399
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• 2009

Radiotelemetry device was surgically implanted in the abdomen of a Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Behaviors of the otter, hospitalized after surgical implantation were also observed. The surgical techniques involved an incision in the paralumbar fossa to introduce a radiotelemetry device into the abdominal cavity. Thirteen behaviors of the otter during hospitalization following abdominal surgery were observed and the time budget of each behavior and the times at which each behavior seems to appear most frequently were measured. This report could provide surgical techniques involving intra-abdominal implantation in otter and basic information associated with otter's behaviors during hospitalization.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.29-42
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• 2004

This Study was Analysis about Habitat of Eurasian otter Lutra lutra L. In October 2002 during September 2003, Otter Spraints and Sprainting site were searched in river Unkog of North-Kyongsang Province for taking the GPS coordinates. For Analysis of habitat, This data were used by Arcview ver. 3.2 with 1/25000 Topology Map and Other Field data. The result of Habitat Analysis meant that Habitat use was strongly related to Fish diversity and richness also vegetation and cover were connected with otter habitat. In other hand, The Human interferences including dense structures like House acted as factor of disturbance. This study suggest that The preceding about Suitable habitat having free of Human disturbance, abundant fish and good vegetation is essential In Trial for Conservation or Recovery of Otter like Trans-location.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.1 s.61
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• pp.89-94
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• 2006

This study was conducted to infer habitat distribution of Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Korea. We recognized trace or presence of otter spraints from 254 of 750 pixels (pixel size: 13.75X11 km) used in this survey, amounting to 34%. The highest frequency of localities, with the spraints present, occurred in Gyeongsangbuk-do (49.62%) and the lowest one was observed in Gyeonggi-do (7.36%). The other regions were as follows: Gangwong-do (49.56%), Chungcheong buk-do (41.67%), Gyeongsangnam-do (38.00%), Jeolabuk-do (37.93%), Jeolanam-do (24.24%), Chungchengnam-do (20.29%). The counted number of the spraints was very low level in most of the localities where they were found (1.7spraints per sprainting site). It may indicate that small size of local populations would be expected in most of the localities. The habitat distribution of Korean otter, inferred from the distribution pattern of the spraints, will provide valuable basic information required for conserving and managing Korean otter.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.377-385
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• 2005

The Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra) is listed as No. 330 in natural monument. To manage and conserve habitat for otters, it is critical to understand which habitat components are important for otters. The objectives of this study were to analyze otter habitat characteristics in accordance with land-cover map. We investigated otter spraints and sprainting site in Geoje Island from January to December, 2004. with GPS coordinates. The analysis of otter habitat use pattern was used by Arcview ver. 3.2 with 1: 25,000 Topology Map and field data. Otter habitat use was strongly related to sites in riparian vegetation riparian(dam or river) structures. In this study, Gucheon was a site with high coverage of riparian vegetation and unconfined channels, thus recording higher number of spraint densities than those of Yeonchocheon. Yeonchocheon was under construction at lower stream areas so that otter habitat use was limited. This study suggests that securing suitable forests and riparian vegetation zone is essential for conservation of otters.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.49.2-49
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• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text