• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.210-219
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• 2008

Monthly variation in species composition of upstream-migrating fish in the Cheonjeyeon Estuary was determined by analyzing fish data collected January~September 2004 and January~August 2007. Fish migrating from the sea to freshwater through the channels were collected by a rectangular net with a mesh size of 2 mm during the day and at night in the new moon. Of 14 species collected, ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) and mullet (Mugil cephalus) predominated in abundance. Glass eels (Anguilla japonica) occurred mainly during the night from February to May. Other fishes collected included brackish-water gobiids (Gymnogobius urotaenia, Rhinogobius giurinus, Tridentiger obscurus, and Sicyopterus japonicus), freshwater fishes (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus), and coastal marine fishes (Engraulis japonicus, Pempheris japonica, Plotosus lineatus, Takifugu niphobles, and Terapon jarbua). Ayu occurred during almost all sampling periods. They ranged principally from 55 to 100 mm total length (TL), with some fish larger than 100 mm TL collected after April. Mullet also occurred during almost all sampling periods. They ranged principally 25~58 mm TL, with some larger fish of 103~240 mm TL collected in February and April. That only a few freshwater and brackish-water fishes occurred in the study area is probably related to the freshwater systems having long been isolated from the continental systems and to the poorly developed estuaries in Jeju Island reflecting limited river discharge.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.154-164
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• 2018

We investigated the ichthyofauna and fish community structure of the Mudeungsan National Park, Korea from 2014 to 2016 to prepare a conservation plan. We collected 21 species of 6 families collected from 8 survey stations through skimming nets and cast nets during the period. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco temminckii (43.0%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (15.1%), respectively. The other abundant species were Z. platypus (11.2%), Pungtungia herzi (10.1%), Squalidus gracilis majimae (8.9%), and Z. koreanus (4.5%). Among the fish collection, 13 species (61.9%) were Korean endemic species, but, endangered species and exotic species were not found. Similarity indices based on species composition and abundance showed the clear division of the fish community into two river systems (Yongsan River drainage system (St. 1-7) and Seomjin River drainage system (St. 8)). The Youngsan River system was further divided into the uppermost (St. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) and the upper-middle (St. 3 and 5) regions. The number of species appearing in a year was similar at 19 to 20 throughout the survey period. However, the individual number of fish in 2015 (2,670) was 20% less than that of 2014 (3,366) and 2016 (3,429), respectively. The probable reason for this decline is the rapid decline of stream level in 2015 compared to the other years. During the survey period, river works were undergoing at 3 out of 8 stations, having created disturbance in fish habitat and especially impacted on benthic fishes.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.142-156
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• 2020

This study surveyed Gyeongan Stream, a tributary of the Han River Drainage System, from April to October 2017 to investigate the characteristics of fish communities. The survey collected 40 species of 11 families from 48 survey stations using kick nets and cast nets. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco platypus (48.0%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (17.7%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Pungtungia herzi (6.8%), Z. koreanus (5.0%), Carassius auratus (4.3%), Squalidus gracilis majimae (2.7%), and Rhodeus notatus (2.5%). Among the fish collected, 14 species (35.0%) were Korean endemic species, and the exotic species were Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus, and Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type). The land-locked species were Plecoglossus altivelis, Rhinogobius brunneus, and Cottus koreanus, while the species sensitive to climate change was C. koreanus. The community analysis showed that the dominance was higher at the uppermost stream station, whereas diversity and abundance tended to be lower at the upstream station and higher toward the downstream station. The community structure was largely divided into rivers (uppermost stream, upstream, and middle-lower stream) and lake. The river health was mostly good (23 stations, 47.9%) and fair (15 stations, 31.3%). Comparison with past surveys showed that 12 species identified in the past surveys did not appear in this survey; nine species appeared for the first time in this survey; and the ecosystem disturbance species - M. salmoides and L. macrochirus - tended to spread more widely gradually.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.873-883
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• 2015

From August 2012 to April 2013, the ichthyofauna and post-restoration properties of Yangjae stream were investigated. A total of 1,503 fish of 2 forms, 16 species and 5 families were studied during the survey period. A survey of the distribution of freshwater fish inhabiting Yangjae stream after restoration of the stream showed large populations of Zacco platypus and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus. From the frequency distribution of the total length for the Zacco platypus population inhabiting Yangjae stream, it was estimated that there are 4 distinct age groups, with an abundance of the 27-63 mm (Age $0^+$) category accounting for 51.3% of the population. The regression coefficient (b) for the length-weight relationship in Zacco platypus was 3.27, while the slope of the condition factor was positive, demonstrating that stable growth conditions are being maintained. Analysis of tolerance and trophic guilds showed a decrease in the numbers of sensitive species and insectivore species further downstream, and an increase in tolerant species and omnivore species. Principal component analysis using community indices and indices of biotic integrity (IBI) showed that there were differences according to the survey time: the first and second surveys showed major changes on certain single species populations while during the third survey, it was analyzed that the populations of various types of fish had established balance.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2009

Chinese minnow, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus is a teleost belonging to Leuciscinae, Cyprinidae. The oogenesis and ultrastructure of egg envelope in Chinese minnow were investigated by light and electron microscopes. The ovary was of white yellowish and ellipsoidal shape with the major axis 30 mm and the minor axis 7mm. Cytoplasm of oogonia was basophilic and many nucleoli were located at inside of nuclear membrane. In primary oocytes, yolk vesicles were distributed only in the marginal area and egg envelope was not formed on the outside of an egg. In secondary oocytes, the egg envelope was formed and yolk vesicles in the cytoplasm were increased than the earlier stage. The basophilic substance of cytoplasm was changed to acidic. In case of matured egg, thickness of egg envelope and size of egg were increased. The yolk vesicles were changed to yolk mass in accordance with development. The outer surface of egg envelope was covered by microvilli-structures, and had a micropyle on the area of animal pole. Egg envelope consisted with 2 layers, an adhesive outer layer with microvilli-structures and fibrillar inner layer. In conclusion, the oogenesis of Chinese minnow was characterized by the increase in cell size, the formation and accumulation of yolk, and the decrease of basophilic substance in the cytoplasm. The oogenesis of Chinese minnow seems to share common patterns in Cyprinidae, but these ultrastructural unique characters of egg envelope can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.265-276
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• 2021

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and river health in the Sincheon stream of Imgin River between April and October 2019. The survey collected 3,677 objects in 30 species belonging to 12 families from 23 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco platypus (28.4%) and Oryzias sinensis (13.6%), respectively, followed by Z. koreanus (11.8%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (11.7%), Carassius auratus (9.6%), and Pseudorasbora parva (7.9%) in that order. Among the fish species collected, 10 (33.3%) were endemic species in Korea. The exotic species were 5 (16.7%), including Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus, Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type), Poecilia reticulata, and Xiphophorus maculatus. The land-locked species included Cottus koreanus and Rhinogobius brunneus, while C. koreanus was a climate change-sensitive species. The dominance of the fish community was low, and the diversity was high in the Sincheon mainstream, Sudongcheon and Cheongdamcheon, whereas Dongducheon and Sangpaecheon showed higher dominance and low diversity. The river health was very good and good in the uppermost and Sudongcheon areas, whereas the upper stream was normal, and the middle and lower streams were poor and very poor, respectively. The water quality was also mostly poor or very poor from the midstream to the downstream, and only Sudongcheon was very good. Therefore, the water quality had a great impact on fish habitat and eventually affected river health significantly. Although the water quality of Shincheon has improved each year, the introduction of several foreign species had a very negative effect. Improvement of river health in Shincheon requires water quality improvement and management of exotic fish species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2005

The change of fish community in the Wonju-stream was investigated from May to November, 2004. During the period,24 species belonging to 6 families were collected. There were 10 Korean endemic species$(41.7\%)$, including Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Coreoleuciscus spiendidus, Squalidus gracitis majimae, Squalidus japonicus coreanus, Microphysogobio yaluensis, Microphysogobio longidorsalis, Iksookimia koreensis, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata, Liobagus andersoni and Odontobutis interrupts. The dominant species was Zacco Platypus$(54.7\%)$, and the subdominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus$(16.7\%)$. Also, Carassius auratus$(5.4\%)$, I. koreensis$(3.4\%)$, Orthrias toni$(3.3\%)$, and Pungtungia herzi$(3.0\%)$ appeared. According to the fish species compositions, the fish community was divided into 2 groups by an unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages(UPGMA). The comparison of the fish community showed that benthic fish species were decreased, while, the number of water-column species, resistant 1,o substrate changes and water pollution were increased.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.746-753
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate artificial fish shelter, which was known to increase prey survival and expand habitat space to improve species diversity and fish communities in a freshwater ecosystem. The experiment was performed at an outdoor test-bed for three months from 2011 by comparing the responses to adjustments in the volume of the artificial patch (juvenile fish shelter, JFS) in the control and experimental groups. Analysis of the environmental conditions over two periods (Period1 ~ 2) showed minor differences in the physichemical characteristics of water quality, phytoplankton, and zooplankton biomass, thus, allowing comparative analysis of feeding ecology. However, high water temperature conditions in Period1 ($25.6{\pm}2.0^{\circ}C$), affected the predation activity of the piscivorous fishes, Coreoperca herzi (C. herzi, size $89{\pm}4mm$). Survival rates of the prey fishes, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (R. oxycephalus, size $29{\pm}1mm$), improved as the patch volume increased and were higher than those of the control group by 35.9 ~ 46.7%. Analysis showed that JFS reduced the chances of predator-prey encounter, and thereby minimized prey vulnerability.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2009

The fish community was investigated from March to October 2007 in Gwangneung Arboretum. During the survey period, 22 species belonging to 9 families were collected. Among them, one species (Coitus koreanus) was classified as an endangered species in Korea, and exotic fish was Micropterus salmoides. Nine species (40.9%) were endemic species of Korea. Dominant species was R. oxycephalus (St. 1) and Z. platypus (St. 2-7). According to analysis of community based on the diversity, evenness and richness indices, fish community seems to be more stable in the St. 3. The distributions of Silurus microdorsalis, Cottus koreanus and Odontobutis platycephala were confined to the Bongseonsa Stream in the Wangsuk Stream watershed. When our data were compared with the previous data (1932), 17 species were not sampled, but 7 species could new taxa fiend its existence at the Bongseonsa Stream. We believe that Hemibarbus mylodon, Acheilognathus signifer and Zacco koreanus disappeared in the Wangsuk Stream watershed and A. signifer and Z. koreanus need to be restored at the Bongseonsa Stream.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.126-141
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• 2021

Fauna of freshwater fish and community structure were investigated at 13 sites in the Deogyusan National Park, Korea from 2014 to 2018. During the period, a total of 8 families, 21 species, and 8,716 individuals of fishes were collected. The number of fish collected over the past five years from 2014 to 2018, were 17 species and 2,280 individuals, 17 species and 1,579 individuals, 17 species 1,905 individuals, 17 species and 1,384 individuals, and 15 species and 1,568 individuals, respectively. There were 13 Korean endemic species including Iksookimia koreensis and Coreoleuciscus splendidus, etc. Only in Wondangcheon Stream, two endangered species were identified, and Hemibarbus mylodon was collected continuously except in 2015, and Pseudopungtungia nigra was observed every year. And two exotic species such as Oncorhynchus masou masou and Oncorhynchus mykiss occurred in Gucheongdongcheon Stream sites. The dominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus and the sub-dominant species was Zacco koreanus and there was no difference by year. The fish community structure of Deogyusan National Park was varied depending on the sites and the year. Most of the survey sites located upper stream where the river structure is Aa river type showed poor community analysis results. On the other hand, the upper-mid stream sites including the Bb type showed better results. As a result, the Wondangcheon Stream sites had the most diverse and stable community structure. Similarity dendrogram was divided into 4 groups, mainly reflecting the characteristics of the habitat. The flagship species of the Deogyusan National Park, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis, was constantly observed during the investigation period. Compared to the previous survey, the number of species increased from 2004 (12 species) and decreased from 2009 (22 species).