• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2017

We explored feeding by the mixotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum, heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNFs), and small ciliates (<$30{\mu}m$ in cell length) on natural populations of heterotrophic bacteria in Masan Bay, Keum River Estuary, and in the coastal waters of the Saemankeum area, Korea when M. rubrum red tides occurred. We also measured ingestion rates of M. rubrum on cultured heterotrophic bacteria as a function of bacterial concentration in the laboratory. The ingestion rates of M. rubrum on natural populations of heterotrophic bacteria (2.3-16.8 bacteria $grazer^{-1}h^{-1}$) were comparable to or lower than those of co-occurring HNFs (10.7-41.7 bacteria $grazer^{-1}h^{-1}$), but much lower than those of co-occurring small ciliates (76.0-462.2 bacteria $grazer^{-1}h^{-1}$). However, the maximum grazing coefficient of M. rubrum ($0.245d^{-1}$) on natural populations of heterotrophic bacteria was much higher than that of small ciliates ($0.089d^{-1}}$), and slightly higher than that of HNFs ($0.204d^{-1}$). With increasing bacterial concentrations, ingestion rates of M. rubrum on cultured heterotrophic bacteria continuously increased, but became saturated at higher prey concentrations over $1-5{\times}10^6cells\;mL^{-1}$. The maximum ingestion rate of M. rubrum on cultured heterotrophic bacteria was 34.4 bacteria $grazer^{-1}h^{-1}$. Based on the present study, it is suggested that M. rubrum may be an important grazer of heterotrophic bacteria and sometimes have considerable grazing impact on natural populations of heterotrophic bacteria.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2003

As part of study on the microbial food web in the southern Jeju Island of Korea, Planktonic tintinnids and aloricate oligotrichs were investigated from July 1998 to June 2000 to understand seasonal variation and water mass indication with environmental factors. 39 species of tintinnids were identified representing 1 order, 11 families, 20 genera. Tintinnid abundance ranged from 100 to 5,400 cells.1$^{-1}$ (mean 314 cells.1$^{-1}$ ), and oceanic species were mainly dominant in fall and winter season, while neritic species were a little pre- dominant in spring and summer season. 15 species of aloricate oligotrichs were identified representing 1 order, 5 families, 7 genera, and many belonged to genus Strombidium which was most abundant and most frequently occurred in many months. Abundance of aloricate oligotrichs ranged from 140 to 21,000 cells.1$^{-1}$ (mean 2,356 cells.1$^{-1}$ ). Species diversity and standing crops of tintinnids were quite different according to seasons, but few seasonal variations were detected in aloricate oligotrichs. In terms of water mass indication tintinnids represented obvious characteristics which were affected by marine environmental factors, but alor- icate oligotrichs had no such apparent indication as tintinnids. Ciliates were more abundant and more diverse in inshore than in offshore station. Total carbon biomass of ciliates ranged from 0.01 to 136.06 $\mu\textrm{g}$C.1$^{-1}$ (mean 5.01 $\mu\textrm{g}$C.1$^{-1}$ ). The carbon biomass, however, did not coincided with seasonal variations of abun- dance Vertical profiles of mean abundance of both tintinnids and aloricate oligotrichs were similar, and had same trend as those of mean chlorophyll o concentration. It suggests that phytoplankton and ciliates reflected the prey-predator relationship in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.452-460
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• 2017

Rice fields are important stopover sites for the conservation of shorebirds during long-distance migration. These fields serve as food sources providing energy for the next leg of the journey. Shorebirds are able to change their preferred food source at stopover sites. However, the type and distribution of food resources remain unknown for the shorebirds in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we studied the type and distribution pattern of food resource (macroinvertebrates, remaining rice, and other seeds) for shorebirds in the rice fields. We have identified potential and actual food sources for shorebirds in the rice fields. The potential food sources were collected by using a core-sampling method and the actual food source was ascertained by observational analysis. As a result, a total 19 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 15 families were recorded as potential food sources. A total of 9 families in 9 orders of benthic macroinvertebrates known to be actual food sources were also recorded during the study period, including loaches, and a tuber of sea club rush. Also, the distribution of the food source depended on soil conditions generated by cultivation such as plowing, harrowing, and the use of pesticides. In the present study, we identified the type and distribution of food sources for shorebirds. This information can be used as essential primary baseline data for conservation of shorebirds using the rice fields of the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.422-430
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• 2016

We investigated the abundance and composition of the zooplankton community around Dokdo in the East Sea from 2006 to 2015. Zooplankton samples were collected in the surface mixed layer by vertical hauls using a standard type net at the monitoring stations. There were no clear long-term trends in the average temperature and salinity, but relatively low salinity was recorded in the summer of 2013 and 2015. The average abundances of zooplankton in the summer increased by two orders of magnitude from $317inds./m^3$ in 2008 to $10,242inds./m^3$ in 2015. This long-term increase was accompanied by a slight increase in the chlorophyll-a concentration and a decrease in the catch of potential crucial predators (anchovy, mackerel pike, squid, herring and horse mackerel) in the study area. The dominant zooplankton, accounting for most of the long-term increase, consisted of appendicularian (Oikopleura spp.), which showed a steady increase since 2012, summer species such as Noctiluca scintillans and the cladoceran Penilia avirostris, which showed an abrupt increase, and the copepod Paracalanus parvus s.l., which showed a rapid increase after its first occurrence in summer 2010. These results suggest that the long-term increase of zooplankton could be related to the increase in the concentration of prey and the decrease in the predation pressure of potential predators around Dokdo in the study area.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.322-328
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of temperature, salinity, and algal diet to find the optimal conditions for 5 days for the mass culture of the tropical tintinnid, Metacylis tropica. This tintinnid had a small, hyaline, and ovoid lorica. The oral diameter, length, and maximum width of the lorica were $36.7{\mu}m$, $49.5{\mu}m$, and $44.5{\mu}m$, respectively. In the temperature experiments, the highest maximum density and population growth rate were observed at $30^{\circ}C$ with 340.7 cells/mL and 1.1/day, respectively. Lower salinities adversely affected the population growth of M. tropica. The maximum density was observed at 33 ppt (840 cells/mL). In the diet experiments, M. tropica fed Isochrysis galbana showed the highest density (413 cells/mL) and population growth rate (1.2/day). As a result, M. tropica is appropriate as a potential prey organism for early fish larvae with smaller mouths because the tintinnid has a relatively small size compared to the rotifer. In addition, the conditions of $30^{\circ}C$, 33 ppt and supplying I. galbana would be effective in the cultivation of M. tropica.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.217-225
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• 2010

The total oil proportion of bay scallop by areas during the growing period was the highest (2.8%) at Tongyong in August, then it decreased to 1.88% in September and 0.62% in October, and it was the lowest (0.22%) in November. The total oil proportion of phytoplankton by areas was the highest at Tongyong, where it was decreased from 5.02% in August and 3.29% in September to 2.48% in October and 1.66% in November. For the composition of fatty acid of bay scallop by areas and seasons during the growing period, the major composition was 16:0 and 18:0 as saturated fatty acid, and 16:1n-7, 18:1n-7, 20:1n-9, ARA (20:4n-6), EPA (20:5n-3), DHA (22:6n-3) as monoenic acid. TMTD (4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid) was detected in a little amount as special fatty acid. For the composition of fatty acid of prey by areas during the growing period of bay scallop from August to November 1998, n-3HUFA, Omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid, in August was 47.11% at Namhae in slowest growth, while it was distinctively low with 34.26% at Tongyong and 14.06% at Nammeon.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 2019

This study was conducted to examine the impact of various environmental factors on the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills Platalea minor known to use rice fields during the breeding season. We surveyed the rice fields three times a month from April to June 2017 and from April to June 2018. We counted the number of black-faced spoonbills and measured the environmental factors such as the water depth, paddy type by cultivation stage, and biomass of potential prey that are expected to affect black-faced spoonbills. We also filmed the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills to examine differences in feeding behavior by environmental factors. The survey showed that the number of black-faced spoonbills reached its peak from late April to late May which was the breeding period. Among a total of 308 black-faced spoonbills observed, 86.4% (n=266) were observed feeding on rice paddies, 90.6% (n=279) were adults, and none was observed on dry paddies. The biomass of rice paddy increased significantly since May when fish started hatching, and there was a significant difference in the amount of biomass between the rice paddies where black-faced spoonbills were observed and other rice paddies. The analysis of the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills showed that the feeding efficiency and feeding success rate of black-faced spoonbills increased significantly when the amount of biomass soared and that the number of steps of black-faced spoonbills per minute increased greatly after rice planting was completed. The number of bill sweeping was not related to the feeding efficiency, feeding success rate, and paddy type by cultivation stage.

• Korean Journal of Ornithology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2018

Bird electrocution on contact with electricity lines is well reported and is quite common in Mongolian open areas. We visited 15-kV electricity distribution pole lines in a Southern Mongolian semi-desert region three times in 2017, in April, July, and September, to assess their risks to birds. The carcasses of 45 electrocuted birds representing 12 species were identified from 250 poles (overall mortality rate of 1.12% every 10 km). The majority of these electrocuted birds were endangered Saker Falcon (n=11) and common Black Kite (n=11). The lacks of roosting or perching sites in our study sites (indeed other open areas in Mongolia) may resulted for such high rate bird electrocution. A 751-base pair (bp) cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified for DNA sequence-based identification of carcasses that were difficult to identify directly. Our findings revealed the high electrocution risk for birds in Mongolian open areas, especially for the birds of prey, with relatively low-efficiency electrocution mitigation approaches. The findings also indicate that there is a need for better understanding of the risk of bird electrocution, particularly in the open areas. This will contribute to the conservation of endangered species.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.46-57
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the current situation of otter inhabitation and conservation and to collect basic information for establishing appropriate policies. We conducted the study around the Bukhan river from April to October 2009, mostly focusing on otter distribution, feeding habits, threats, and conservation measures. We divided the study area into 2 sectors: the dam area and the stream. We found 39 spraint sites in the dam area and 70 in the stream area. A significant difference was observed in the number of spraint sites between the upper stream and the lower stream. To evaluate the feeding habit, we collected and analyzed the frequency and bulk occurrence of the spraints. Among the prey items, fish were the most numerous (36.99%) followed by amphibians (17.22%). Fish showed the highest bulk occurrence in the dam area, and the bulk occurrence of amphibians and insects seemed to increase in the stream area. However, the bulk occurrence in the dam area seemed to be lower than that in the stream area (ANOVA, F = 3.99, p < 0.05). Fyke nets and abandoned fishing nets were found to be the most threatening factors. Further research on the systematic management of otters and the use of stop grids is required for better conservation of otters.