• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 1999

The nucleotide sequences of a 504 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were analyzed to survey the intraspecific variation of the brown frog, Rana dybowskii, collected from nine populations in South Korea. Comparisons of sequence divergence of the cytochrome b gene suggest that the populations examined are clearly classified into two types (type 1 and type 2), diverged from each other by a high value of 14.3-15.9% sequence divergence. The two types are distributed allopatrically in most populations, but only one population occurs sympatrically. In the Tonghae population, their spawning grounds differ in that type 1 spawns in the puddle and type 2 spawns in the mountain creek. Based on the genetic divergences of the cytochrome b gene sequences, the phylogenetic status of Korean R. dybowskii is elucidated by comparing it with related brown frogs distributed in an area adjacent to the Korean Peninsula. Interspecific sequence divergences among type 1, type 2 and other related brown frog species (Russian R. dybowskii, R. pirica, R. ornativentris, R. chensinensis: 2n=24 chromosomes) used in this study ranged from 11.7 to 16.3%. R. dybowskii in Tsushima is very similar to our type 1 (sequence divergence＝0-1.6%) and R. chensinensis in western China is closest to our type 2 (sequence divergence＝6.8-7.5%).

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 1999

Korean R. plancyi occupies a restricted area in western South Korea and shows a relatively low level of genic variability (%P＝15.2, Ho=0.052, He＝0.048). In contrast, R. nigromaculata is broadly distributed in South Korea. The observed low level of variability of R. nigromaculata (%P＝14.3, Ho＝0.042, He＝0.043) is probably due to its recent colonization. Populations of R. nigromaculata exhibited considerable genetic differentiation (F$_{sT}$=0.149) and low level of gene flow (Nm＝1.427) among populations, compared to those of R. Plancyi (F$_{sTF$_{sT}$}$=0.096, Nm＝2.354), which occupies a restricted area. The observed levels of gene flow among populations of R. nigromaculata (Nm＝1.427) over a broad geographic range is relatively higher than other amphibian species. The high level of gene flow is probably the result of the high dispersal abilities of R. nigromaculata. A survey of temporal genic variation of R. nigromaculata showed that there was no significant change on the overall average genetic diversity from 1978 (average He＝0.044) to 1997 (average He＝0.040). Wright's F-statistics also indicated no significant genetic differentiation from 1978 (F$_{sT}$＝0.118) to 1997 (F$_{sT}$＝0.108). This suggests that the environmental change appears to have had little influence on the genetic composition of R. nigromaculata in the study areas during the past 20 years. The low level of temporal variation might be due to the result of high dispersal abilities and wide migration range of this species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.2 s.58
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• pp.157-162
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• 2005

To clarify the key characteristics of Korean brown frogs (R. dybowskii, R. huanrenesis and R. amurensis coreana), this study employed a morphological and morphometrical comparisons among brown frogs found in Korea and Japanese endemic species, R. tsushimensis. As a result, it was considered that the key characteristics were the shape of the finger and toe tips, the markings of the lower jaw, the presence or absence of an upper lip line, the development of toe webbing, and the shape of the vomerine teeth series by morphological comparisons of brown frogs. Also, there were significant differences in tympanum diameters and foot lengths of the four species of brown frogs. Therefore, a comparison between morphological and morphometric characters is an effective way to clarify the identification of brown frogs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2003

Genetic diversity of local populations among geologically isolated groups of Rana amurensis was refined by sequence comparison of the mitochondrial (mt) 165 rDNA genes. Each 401 base pairs of DNA sequences, which was determined from four local populations of Rana amurensis, two local populations of R. nigromacutata, and three species of the genus Rana were used in this analysis. Despite morphological similarity of Rana amurensis, Korean populations were well distinguished from the other groups on the basis of 105 rDNA gene difference. Further analyses for additional local populations belonging to R. amurensis will be necessary to clarify the taxonomic status.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 1999

Nucleotide sequences of a 501 base-pair (bp) fragment in the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene were analyzed for 12 populations of Rana rugosa from Korea and Japan using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct silver sequencing. Two genetically distinct groups (type-A and type-B) were found in Korea. Type-A was found throughout most of South Korea and type-B was restricted to the mid-southeastern regions (Samchok, Yongdok, Chongsong and Pohang). But in the Tonghae population, both types were found. The level of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence differences ranged from 0% to .0.8% among six populations of type-A, and 0 to 1.0% among 4 populations of type-B. However, sequence differences between type-A and type-B ranged from 5.4% to 6.6%, Using Kimura's two-parameter distance, the level of genetic sequence divergence between type-A and type-B was 6.7%. The Japanese R. rugosa was clustered very far from the Korean R. rugosa with 14.7%. In the neighbor-joining and UPGMA tree, all Korean samples were grouped, but subdivided into two types in 99% of the bootstrap iteration.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2008

The Gold-spotted pond frog, Rana plancyi chosenica, designated as a vulnerable species by IUCN Red list. This species is a typical example facing local population threats and extinction due to human activities in South Korea. A strategic conservation plan for this endangered species is urgently needed. In order to provide information for future conservation planning, accurate information on the genetic diversity and taxonomic status is needed for the establishment of conservation units for this species. In this study, we used a molecular genetic approach using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and control region sequences to find the genetic diversity of gold-spotted pond frogs within South Korea. We sequenced the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene and control region of 77 individuals from 11 populations in South Korea, and one from Chongqing, China. A total of 15 cytochrome b gene haplotypes and 34 control region haplotypes were identified from Korean gold-spotted pond frogs. Mean sequence diversity among Korean gold-spotted pond frogs was 0.31% (0.0-0.8%) and 0.51% (0.0-1.0%), respectively. Most Korean populations had at least one unique haplotype for each locus. The Taean, Ansan and Cheongwon populations had no haplotypes shared with other populations. There was a sequence divergence between Korean and Chinese gold-spotted pond frogs (1.3% for cyt b; 2.9% for control region). Analysis of genetic distances and phylogenetic trees based on both cytochrome b and control region sequences indicate that the Korean gold-spotted pond frog are genetically differentiated from those in China.