• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.55-65
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to clarify diet items and predatory behavior of American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) according to the sex, maturity and season from April to September 2014 at Gahang wetland of Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnamdo province, Korea. We examined the stomach contents of L. catesbeianus using a gastrectomy technique and identified the contents to a genus or species. The examination showed that large and heavy individual of L. catesbeianus fed on larger amounts of food. However, there were no statistically significant differences in predation amount according to the sex and maturity of L. catesbeianus. The main diet item of during the study period was mostly Insecta (average population rate of 65.5%), followed by Crustacea (13.5%) and Gastropoda (7.9%). The most preferred diet item of L. catesbeianus was Muljarus japonicus. Surprisingly, L. catesbeianus also foraged Parus major, Apodemus agrarius, and Crocidura lasiura. Ths findings showed that L. catesbeianus directly disturbed the wetland ecosystem. We expect the results will be the important reference data for checking the impact of L. catesbeianus, which is designated as invasive species by the Ministry of Environment, on wetland ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.24-29
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to identify nesting habits and breeding biology of barn swallow in Gwangju, Korea, for the breeding season 2012 to 2014. All nests were attached to vertical walls and roofs of buildings and situated at mean height $2.9{\pm}0.3m$ above ground with nest diameter $18.2{\pm}3.2cm$, nest depth $9.8{\pm}3.1cm$, nest cup diameter $11.2{\pm}1.5cm$ and nest cup depth $3.27{\pm}0.80cm$. Nests were attached to cemented walls (44.9%), wooden materials (23.1%), bricks (21.8%) and lighting (6.4%). The average clutch size was 4.5 and ranged 2~5. Mean egg length was $18.23{\pm}0.73mm$, breadth $13.11{\pm}0.25mm$, volume $1.60{\pm}0.11cm^3$, shape index $1.39{\pm}0.05$ and weight $1.69{\pm}0.15g$. Hatching and fledgling success rate were 89.1% and 84.5%. Main causes for reproductive failures were unhatched eggs, predation, nest destruction and desertion. These results are expected to be widely used as data for habitat preservation and species management of barn swallows.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.13 no.4 s.21
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 1974

Life history and control methods of Aphanostigma iakusuiense Kishida were studied during April to November, 1974, in the Naju pear orchard area, Cholla Namdo. The results are summarized as follows: 1. More than $60\%$ of wintering eggs were found at the height of 1.5 to 2.0m from the soil surface, with approximately $10\%$ at 0.5 to 1.5m and 1.5 to 2.5m respectively. 2. There was little difference in the size of egg masses and hatching ratio $(12.7-13.7\%)$ between the varieties of host trees, Mansamkil and Kooksoo. 3. Hatching was not observed until April 6, but hatches of $12.8\%$ on April 13 and $90.6\%$ on May 4 were found. 4. During the hatching season in early spring, 8 chemicals were applied to test effectiveness of control. C8514, Metasystox, Acar 338, and Parathion were more effective than either Sevin or Malix for control of this insect. 5. Highest populations of pear phylloxera ocurred from August 20 to September 20 at which time levels of eggs and larvae were simillar in abundance. 6. In tests for control of this insect after in paper bags, DDVP, Loxon, C8514, Sevin, and Binapacryl were more effective than either EPN or Otran. 7. Predacious mite, Protolaelape pygmaeus Miller, and several species of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) preying on this insect as natural enemies were collected. The predation ratio of mites varied according to region: that is 0.77 to $18.6\%$ in Bia Orchard; $7.88-48.7\%$ in Noan Orchard and almost none in Youngsanoo Orchard. 8. The varietal difference in fruit damage by this insect was in the order of Choseng Chuck, Kooksoo, followed by Sin Ko, Mansamkil, Keumchon Choo, and Changsimrang.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.256-260
• /
• 2018

Cannibalism is a widely observed phenomenon in the animal kingdom. However, it is rarely found among birds outside nests in the wild because it occurs irregularly and it is almost impossible to monitor animal behavior constantly. On 17 January 2017, this behavior was directly observed from a group of vultures feeding on a conspecific in a paddy field near Lake Geumho in Haenam-gun ($34^{\circ}35^{\prime}58.25^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$, $126^{\circ}26^{\prime}57.64^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$). It was observed and recorded with the binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens in a car approximately 20 m (or 60 m) away from the site. The observer approached the feeding site after the last vulture had finished feeding and flown away and found remains of a vulture, including body feathers, skull, sterna keel, and both legs. It was the first report of cannibalism in Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus in its overwintering grounds. The remaining skeleton was very fleshy, and the surrounding grass was wet with the blood of vulture. No other traces of a mammal or bird that could have been the vultures' prey were found. This report provides a detailed account of the events related to this rare observation and the causes that might have led to it.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.245-262
• /
• 2019

The objectives of this study were to construct a three-dimensional water quality model (EFDC) for the river reach between Chilgok Weir and Gangjeong-Goryong Weir (GGW) located in Nakdong River, and evaluate the effect of hydraulic changes, such as water level and flow velocity, on the control of water quality and algae biomass. After calibration, the model accurately simulated the temporal changes of the upper and lower water temperatures that collected every 10 minutes, and appropriately reproduced changes in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and cyanobacteria. However, the simulated values were overestimated for the diatoms and green algae cell density, possibly due to the uncertainties of the parameters associated with algae metabolism and the lack of zooplankton predation function in the simulations. As a result of scenario simulation of running the water level of GGW from EL. 19.44 m to EL. 14.90 m (4.54 m drop), Chl-a and algae cell density decreased significantly.In particular,the cyanobacteria on the surface layer, which causes algal bloom, declined by 56.1% in the low water level scenario compared to the existing management level. The results of this study are in agreement with the previous studies that maintenance of critical flow velocity is effective for controlling cyanobacteria, and imply that hydraulic control such as decrease of water level and residence time in GGW is an alternative to limit the overgrowth of algae.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the developmental characteristics of Propylea japonica Thunberg (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its consumption of Myzus persicae nymphs at 3 constant temperatures (20.0, 25.0 and $30.0^{\circ}C$; $60{\pm}5%$ relative humidity; 14 h light : 10 h dark). The longevity of adult female P. japonica under 20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$ was 134.0, 101.0 and 55.2 days, respectively. The total fecundity was 508.6, 875.6, and 383.4 eggs during its life span, respectively. The longevity of adult male P. japonica under 20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$ was 128.8, 97.8, and 46.5 days, respectively. Average daily consumption of adult M. persicae by 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instar P. japonica at $25^{\circ}C$ was 2.2, 7.3, 14.5, and 29.1, respectively. The average daily number of M. persicae consumed by male and female P. japonica over their lifetimes was 35.0 and 42.9, respectively. Average daily consumption of adult Aphis gossypii by 1st-4th instar P. japonica at $25^{\circ}C$ was 2.2, 7.5, 13.9, and 29.5, respectively. The average daily number of A. gossypii consumed by male and female P. japonica over their lifetimes was 37.0 and 40.8, respectively.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.25-36
• /
• 2021

The mixotrophic dinoflagellate Tripos furca causes red tides in the waters of many countries. To understand its population dynamics, mortality due to predation as well as growth rate should be assessed. Prior to the present study, the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Noctiluca scintillans, Polykrikos kofoidii, Protoperidinium steinii, and mixotrophic dinoflagellate Fragilidium subglobosum were known to ingest T. furca. However, if other common heterotrophic protists are able to feed on T. furca has not been tested. We explored interactions between T. furca and nine heterotrophic dinoflagellates and one naked ciliate. Furthermore, we investigated the abundance of T. furca and common heterotrophic protists in coastal-offshore waters off Yeosu, southern Korea, on Jul 31, 2020, during its red tide. Among the tested heterotrophic protists, the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Aduncodinium glandula, Luciella masanensis, and Pfiesteria piscicida were able to feed on T. furca. However, the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Gyrodiniellum shiwhaense, Gyrodinium dominans, Gyrodinium jinhaense, Gyrodinium moestrupii, Oblea rotunda, Oxyrrhis marina, and the naked ciliate Rimostrombidium sp. were unable to feed on it. However, T. furca did not support the growth of A. glandula, L. masanensis, or P. piscicida. Red tides dominated by T. furca prevailed in the South Sea of Korea from Jun 30 to Sep 5, 2020. The maximum abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates in the waters off Yeosu on Jul 31, 2020, was as low as 5.0 cells mL-1, and A. glandula, L. masanensis, and P. piscicida were not detected. Furthermore, the abundances of the known predators F. subglobosum, N. scintillans, P. kofoidii, and Protoperidinium spp. were very low or negligible. Therefore, no or low abundance of effective predators might be partially responsible for the long duration of the T. furca red tides in the South Sea of Korea in 2020.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.70-75
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2022 at Gulup island, Incheon, South Korea, to identify activity patterns of Formosan sika deer (Cervus nippon taiouanus) introduced in island areas, using camera trapping. We described the daily activity patterns of Formosan sika deer in each season by analyzing kernel density estimates of capture frequency and checked seasonal differences in daily activity patterns by analyzing the overlap coefficient between seasons. Formosan sika deers introduced to Gulup island showed a crepuscular behavior pattern only in winter and no distinct pattern from spring to fall. The crepuscular behavior pattern is typical for deers to reduce the risk of predation, and it is determined that Formosan sika deers introduced to Gulup island were affected by population control of the species by the local government in the winter. It was in contrast to the fact that human activities, such as backpacking, frequently carried out from spring to fall, did not affect the behavior of Formosan sika deers. Moreover, low winter temperatures have been shown to affect the nocturnal activities of Formosan sika deers in winter. The behavior patterns of Formosan sika deers overlapped least between summer and winter due to cold winter weather and population control. The relationship between the temporal status of Formosan sika deers and seasonal temperature confirmed in this study can be important basic ecological data for establishing control measures of Formosan sika deers introduced not only in islands but also in inland.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.262-269
• /
• 2022

A distribution survey was conducted from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate the distribution status, habitat characteristics, and extinction threat of the short ninespine stickleback Pungitius kaibarae (Gasterosteidae). Literature reports of P. kaibarae distribution have been sorted by each period, 1980~1996, 1997~2005, and 2007~2017, and the samples were collected in 32, 43, and 64 stations for each period. Among the 75 streams and 193 sampling sites investigated during the study period, 1,400 P. kaibarae individuals were collected from 26 streams at 39 sites. The main habitat of P. kaibarae was downstream or brackish water zones with a low altitude, slow water velocity, and many aquatic plants. The main reasons for the decline in population size were assumed to be drought and flood, river work for flood restoration and river maintenance, bridges construction, and predation by the exotic fish species Micropterus salmoides. Previous evidence reported a 42.6% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, a decline in habitat quality, and the spread and impact of the exotic fish species Micropterus salmoides. Therefore, P. kaibarae is now considered a Vulnerable (VU A2ace) species based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Therefore, P. kaibarae should be redesignated as an endangered species by the Ministry of Environment and systematically managed.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.270-277
• /
• 2023

Since its introduction in 1973, the bass, Micropterus salmoides, has spread to dams and rivers in Korea, adversely affecting native fish communities. In this study, after complete removal of bass from Bukchosan Reservoir, an farm reservoir that has lost its function, an attempt was made to indirectly confirm the adverse effects of bass on fish by comparing fish communities in reservoirs of a similar size where bass inhabit. The study was conducted three times a year from 2019 to 2022. As a result of the study, in Bukchosan Reservoir, where the species composition of fish was judged to be simplified due to the habitat of bass, only four species such as Carassius auratus and Rhinogobius brunneus that could be used as a food source for bass appeared before the removal of bass, but after the removal of bass. The appearance and increase of the population of the introduced small freshwater fish (Oryzias sinensis, Rhinogobius giurinus) were confirmed. When comparing Gangjeong Reservoir, Susim Reservoir, which are other reservoirs inhabited by bass investigated in this study, and Bukchosan Reservoir, this result is judged to show a trend of stabilization and recovery of fish species after removal of bass in small reservoirs with high predation pressure of bass.