• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2021

Distribution aspects and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Rhynchocypris semotilus were investigated in Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea, June 2020. Among the 12 sampling sites investigated during the study period, samples of R. semotilus were collected 268 individuals at 6 sites. The streams inhabited of R. semotilus were Songhyeoncheon (3 stations), Gojindong (2 stations) and Osodong (1 station). The main habitats of R. semotilus were uppermost and upper stream (Aa type) with 3~15 m water flow width, 0.3~1.3 m depth and high ratio boulder and cobble bottoms. The estimated age of the R. semotilus (June) based on their total length distribution indicated that 0-, 1-, 2-, 3- and more than 4-year-old were 6~27 mm, 38~59 mm, 60~75 mm, 78~93 mm and 96~125 mm, respectively, and their has matured reproductive organs over two years old. R. semotilus investigation results of the threat of extinction showed no tendency to decrease in population size, but estimated to be less than 1,000 mature individuals, with a small range of extend of occurrence (39.668 km²), area of occupancy (16 km²), and number of disconnected locations (3 locations). Therefore, R. semotilus is now considered vulnerable (VU D2) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.160-170
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• 2023

Life history of the endangered endemic species, Rhynchocypris semotilus, was investigated to obtain baseline data for its ecological characteristics in Songhyeoncheon, Hyeonnae-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea from April to October, 2022. A total of 10 families and 18 species of fishes were collected from 4 survey stations, and R. semotilus was a subdominant species in the survey period (seven times). The main habitat of R. semotilus was the middle-upper stream of rock and boulder bottoms with aquatic plants and slow rapids and pools. The age groups for R. semotilus estimated by the frequency distribution of total length in spawning season (May) indicated the 4~12 mm is 0-year old, 32~49 mm is 1-year old, the 50~65 mm group is 2-years old, the 66~91 mm is 3-years old, and the 92~116 mm is more than 4-years old, and showed rapid growth from May to September. Total length range of female and male were the relatively similar, and sex ratio (♂/♀) was 0.78. The spawning period is from May to July (water temperature is 17 to 21℃), and gonad was developed more than three years old (more than TL 66 mm). In May, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was 10.6±2.99% for females and 8.2±2.34% for males, fecundity was 6,830±1,943, and mature eggs size was 1.34±0.16 mm. Finally, life history characteristics of R. semotilus was discussed between the genus Rhynchocypris and Phoxinus species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2024

To reveal the feeding ecology of Rhynchocypris semotilus, the survey was conducted in Songhyeoncheon, Songhyeon-ri, Hyeonnae-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do in April 2022. As a result of analyzing the contents of the stomach using the index of relative importance (IRI), the important prey organisms were mainly Trichoptera (46.6%), Ephemeroptera (27.6%), Diptera (12.6%), Odonata (9.7%), Plecoptera (2.8%), Coleoptera (0.6%), and Hemiptera (0.1%) of Class Insecta, Phylum Arthropoda in that order. As a result of analyzing the trend by calculating the index of relative importance (IRI) for each age, it was found that those born in the same year mainly feed on relatively small Ephemeroptera and Diptera, but the proportion of these gradually decreases as they grow. And the proportion of relatively large Trichoptera and Odonata gradually increased, turning them into the most important food source for those over 3 years old. Additionally, prey size was the smallest at 2.8±2.5 (0.6 to 9.0) mm for individuals born in the same year, but gradually increased to 5.1±6.1 (1.1 to 17.0) mm for individuals born more than 3 years. As a result of examining prey selectivity, Plecoptera (+0.78), Trichoptera (+0.66), (+0.66), Coleoptera (+0.66), and Hemiptera (+0.03) showed positive selectivity, while Amphipoda (-1.00), Ephemeroptera (-0.24), Odonata (-0.13) and Diptera (-0.05) showed negative selectivity.