• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2000

To assess the genetic diversity and population structure of Korean K. borealis, allozyme analysis was performed. The average genetic variability of Korean K. borealis populations was %P=13.2, Ho=0.048, and He=0.045. This value was the lowest in comparison with other Korean amphibian species studied. Also, the value was much lower than that of a reference population from Chinese K. borealis (%P=50, Ho=0.125, He=0.172). Wright's F-statistics showed that Korean K. borealis has distinctly low level of gene flow among regional populations (F$_{ST}$=0.339, Nm=0.487) in comparison with other Korean amphibian species studied. However, the average level of genetic divergence among Korean K. borealis populations was moderate (Nei's D=0.020). Therefore, it appeared that low levels of genetic diversity (He=0.045) and gene flow (Nm=0.487) among regional populations ave probably due to the results of decreasing population size and patchy distribution of this species in Korea.