• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 2022

Ranaviruses are a primary cause of amphibian extinctions. More consistent ranavirus-infection reports and genetic characterizations of identified viruses are urgently needed, particularly from Asian countries. The objectives of this study were to obtain the partial major capsid protein (MCP) gene sequences (506 bp) of the ranavirus responsible for infecting frogs in South Korea, as our previous research had confirmed using qPCR, and to evaluate their genetic relationships with other previously reported ranavirus sequences. Three different ranavirus MCP sequences were obtained from Pelophylax nigromaculatus and Lithobates catesbeianus. All six different types of MCP sequence from the ranavirus identified in South Korea to date belonged to the Frog virus 3 (FV3)-like virus group in the genus Ranavirus. To better understand the origin and spread of ranaviruses in South Korea, further infection reports and full genome analyses of the identified ranaviruses are needed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2021

In this experiment, we investigated the toxicity of tebuconazole (fungicide) using domestic frog embryos, along the FETAX (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus) protocol. Bufo gargarizans, Hyla japonica, and Pelophylax nigromaculatus embryos were incubated, and investigation of the tebuconazole effect was performed by the probit analysis. As a result, depending on the concentrations of tebuconazole, the mortality and malformation rates were increased and larval body length was decreased. The teratogenic concentrations (EC₅₀) of tebuconazole were 34.4mg L^-1, 10.6mg L^-1, and 14.9mg L^-1, respectively, and the embryo lethal concentrations(LC₅₀) of tebuconazole were 74.7 mg L^-1, 38.5 mg L^-1, and 39.1 mg L^-1, respectively. The teratogenic index (TI) valuesof tebuconazole were 2.19, 3.58, and 2.65; thus, it showed teratogenicity in embryonic development of these three frogs. These results revealed that in this experiment, tebuconazole suppressed the development of embryos at a relatively low concentration. In addition, mortality, malformation ratios, malformation patterns, and growth rates were similar to the results from the other assay systems. Therefore, tebuconazole was thought to have an effect on the embryo development of domestic frogs. In future, it will be necessary to identify species specificity in order to the clarify the causes of differences in mortality, malformation rate, and malformation patterns depending on the species.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to analyze the genotype of black-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) using seven microsatellite loci to quantify its genetic diversity and population structure throughout the spatial scale of basins of Han, Geum, Yeongsan, and Nakdong Rivers in South Korea. Genetic diversities in these four areas were compared using diversity index and inbreeding coefficient obtained from the number and frequency of alleles as well as heterozygosity. Additionally, the population structure was confirmed with population differentiation, Nei's genetic distance, multivariate analysis, and Bayesian clustering analysis. Interestingly, a negative genetic diversity pattern was observed in the Han River basin, indicating possible recent habitat disturbances or population declines. In contrast, a positive genetic diversity pattern was found for the population in the Nakdong River basin that had remained the most stable. Results of population structure suggested that populations of black-spotted pond frogs distributed in these four river basins were genetically independent. In particular, the population of the Nakdong River basin had the greatest genetic distance, indicating that it might have originated from an independent population. These results support the use of genetics in addition to designations strictly based on geographic stream areas to define the spatial scale of populations for management and conservation practices.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2021

An ecological niche is defined as the specific role of a species influenced by time, space, and other resources. By investigating overlaps between ecological niches of different species, we could estimate the degrees of interspecific competition. Such studies often use geographic information systems (GIS) to discover niche overlaps between species. In this study, we used GIS to estimate the spatial niches of two Korean frog species(Pelophylax nigromaculatus and P. chosenicus). This enabled us to predict their geographic distributions in order to identify their coexistence regions and distribution patterns. The results confirmed that altitude was an important variable for predicting their distribution, with a correlation with their climatic range. Spatial distributions of the two frog species were highly overlapped, as the distribution range for P. nigromaculatus included most of the range of P. chosenicus, showing a sympatric distribution pattern. Within the coexisting regions, however, the presence sites for the two species did not overlap, implying weak competition. To confirm the principal factors influencing their competitive relationship and reasons for their sympatric distribution pattern, we need more detailed in-depth studies on the diverse environmental variables within the regions where the two species coexist. By doing so, we would be able to identify various mechanisms for avoiding competition in sympatric frog species.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.358-365
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• 2019

We measured the body composition, including bone mineral density (BMD) and food resource availability using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of body condition of 4 anuran species(Hyla japonica, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, Lithobates catesbeianus) in South Korea. Additionally, the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were employed to determine the food resource availability of anurans. We figured out the relationship between the body composition, including BMDs and food resource availability. The body composition and BMDs did not differ between male and female while there was difference among the species. Food resource availability and BMDs were the highest in L. catesbeianus, the lowest in H. japonica. BMDs tended to increase with higher food resource availability. Body composition and BMDs, which represent the body condition of an individual, can be used as an ecological indicator to assess the stability of the habitat of anurans.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.366-377
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• 2019

Paddy wetlands are a critical habitat for a variety of wild animals, and their rapid development and environmental changes pose a threat to the conservation of agrobiodiversity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the habitat characteristics of anuran inhabiting paddy wetlands and identify major environmental variables affecting their distributions. The study was conducted in the Daeho reclaimed area in Dangjin, from March to October 2018. In this study, we found three anuran species (Pelophylax nigromaculatus, Hyla japonica and Pelophylax chosenicus). The environmental factors affecting the three species were identified as air temperature, humidity, water-depth, and micro-habitats. H. japonica were affected by water temperature, and P. chosenicus were affected by rice height and types of farming practices. All the three species richness was correlated with air temperature, humidity, and water-depth positively, and the three species used rice transplanted paddy fields the most. It was also found that paddy is the most preferred of the micro-habitats during the breeding season, so the survey area is considered to be used as the major breeding sites for the three species. P. chosenicus were more observed on environmental-friendly paddy fields than conventional paddy fields, which appears to be differences in their surroundings environment caused by predators and weeding. It will be needed to identify their relationship with predators, their preferred food resources and the richness and diversity of wild vegetation around paddy wetlands.

• 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.32-40
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• 2022

The trade-off between morphology and physical function may vary according to ecological traits. Taking a quantitative approach, we attempted to analyze the differences in the skeletal shape of the lower body and limbs in relation to the ecological traits of four anuran species (Dryophytes japonicus, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, and Lithobates catesbeianus) occurring in South Korea. Body size, locomotor mode, microhabitat, trophic positions, and predator defense mechanisms were selected for the ecological traits of the anurans. The pelvis, ilium, and urostyle, which are associated with locomotor performance, were selected for the skeletal shape of the lower body. The ratio of limbs, which is related to locomotor mode and microhabitat, was confirmed by analyzing the skeletons of the forelimbs (radio-ulnar and humerus) and hindlimbs (femur and tibiofibular). Both landmark-based geometric morphometrics and traditional methods were used for skeletal shape comparison. The skeletal shape of the lower body was completely different among the four species, whereas the ratio of the limbs was only different in D. japonicus. The skeletal shape of the lower body may be related to body mass and predator defense mechanisms, whereas the ratio of the limbs was related to the locomotor mode and microhabitat. Quantifying these morphological differences among various species can help elucidate the mechanisms of behavioral and morphological changes in response to ecological effects.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2016

We examined whether an artificial levee constructed on prime amphibian habitat influences fragmentation. Four different sites on both sides of a levee in the Civilian Control Zone(CCZ) were probed. Sites 1 and 2 are rice paddies on one side of the levee, and Site 3 is the stream that locates in the same side. All the three sites have water conditions of seasonal variance. On the other side, Site 4 consists of rice paddies with a stable condition of water supply, irrigated through a canal. The research sites were frequented and the frog populations were closely monitored. The investigation identified five species. Pelophylax nigromaculatus was the most frequent (n=295), followed by Hyla japonica (n=220) and Glandirana rugosa (n=124). Three Bufo gargarizans and eight Rana coreana were also found. The amphibians, however, were found to relocate themselves according to water condition to rice paddies or stream only within one side of the levee. Despite having ample sources of water and foods, Site 4 lacked large populations of frogs, even when droughts came. Both the species dominance index and the richness index indicated a more favorable living condition of the one side of the levee (Sites 1 and 2) over the other.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.2
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• pp.268-273
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• 2016

This study was conducted to clarify the differences in habitat structure and amphibian and reptile (herpetofauna) populations between before and after thinning in the coniferous and deciduous forests from June to September 2014 and 2015 at the Mt. Maewha of Hongcheon, Gangwon province, Korea. Forest structure was dramatically changed after thinning. Coverage of understory and mid-story were decreased while volume and number of downed trees were increased after thinning. We used line transect sampling method on a total of 4 transect lines, 2 lines in each forest type. 119 individuals of 5 amphibian species and 5 individuals of 3 reptile species were recorded. Mean number of amphibian species were decreased after thiining in the coniferous forest. There was no observed reptiles after thinning in the coniferous and deciduous forests. Detailed monitoring with different area, frequency and intensity might be needed to clarify more precise differences characterisitics of herpetofauna by thinning.