• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

The dorsal lingual papillae of Sorex caecutiens were studied morphologically using scanning electron microscopy. Three types of lingual papillae were found: filiform papillae, fungiform papillae and circumvallate papillae. Filiform papillae were observed in most part of the tongue except on the lateral surface. There were basically three types of filiform papillae distinguished mainly by their morphological shape and structure. Numerous fungiform papillae were spread throughout the whole tongue, especially concentrated in lateral sides. The size varied according to the position of fungiform papillae, becoming larger as it reached to the rear. Strict pair-wise distribution was not observable, but fungiform papillae were mostly located in orderly manner. There were two large circumvallate papillae at the posterior region of the tongue. There were two thick pads around the center part where several bodies were gathered together. Overall research provided similar results with other close species such as common shrew (S. araneus). The circumvallate papillae of S. caecutiens were different from other Sorex species. They were circular, as in bats and other Sorex species, and had two distinguishable pads while others had only one.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2007

The ultrastructure of submandibular gland was examined in the Korean spider shrew, Sorex caecutiens. The submandibular gland wat composed of acini and salivary ducts. A submadibular acinus was a mixed gland having serous demilune cells and mucous cells that were filled with well developed rER, mitochondria and large amount of dense secretory granules. Serous acinar granules were oval shape without distinct limiting membrane on the border and it had only coarse specks with various density. Mucous acinar granules were oval shape without distinct limiting membrane and had a variety pattern with several thin or transparent bands into the homogeneous dense matrix. Thus submandibular acinar granules of S. caecutiens belonging to subfamily Soricinae were distinct from the other mammalian species including Crocidurinae, because of the absence of limiting membrane of acinar granules and specific pattern of mucous acinar granules. Granular duct cells had large amount of small granular vesicles and several characteristic structures of granule which were revered with stratified limiting membranes and filled with coarse serous-like granule or homogeneous matrix.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2012

To examine genetic divergences of two endemic Sorex caecutiens subspecies from Korea (S. c. hallamontanus in Korean Jeju Island and S. c. annexus in the mainland Korean Peninsula), we obtained partial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences (429 bp) and complete cytochrome b sequences (1,140 bp) from the two Korean subspecies, and we compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of S. caecutiens, obtained from GenBank. We found that Jeju S. c. hallamontanus is one of three clades within S. caecutiens, with an average Jukes-Cantor distance of 1.57% in the COI sequences and the distance of 2.07% and 11 fixed site differences in the cytochrome b sequences, indicating that Jeju S. c. hallamontanus is one endemic subspecies with concordant genetic distinctness, although further analyses with nuclear DNA sequences are necessary to confirm these findings. However, S. c. annexus from the mainland Korean Peninsula was not divergent from S. c. macropygmaeus from northeastern China and adjacent Russia, indicating that S. c. annexus from the mainland Korean Peninsula is another endemic subspecies with only morphological differences, although it is necessary to reexamine the subspecies status of S. c. annexus.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.186-193
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• 2012

The ultrastructure of the secretory granules of the submandibular gland was examined in the Korean spider shrew, Sorex caecutiens, lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens and big white-toothed shrew, C. lasiura. The mucous and serous acinar granules of S. caecutiens with a border of the lucid corona differed from those of C. suaveolens and C. lasiurar with a dense lateral border. The mucous acinar granules of C. lasiura with several bands producing a variety of patterns in the matrix were similar to those of C. suaveolens. The serous acinar granules of C. lasiura had a homogenous pale center surrounded by minute dense specks or had an unusual substructure showing a geometric pattern according to the inclusions in the pale matrix of the granules. This is the first report of an unusual substructure showing a geometric pattern of the serous acinar granules of C. lasiura. The myelin-like body was observed in the granular duct cell of the three species of shrew. The myelin-like body of S. caecutiens with layers of unit membranes was different from that of C. suaveolens and C. lasiura with paired membranes. Therefore, the layers composing of the paired membranes of the myelin-like body might be one of the characteristics of Crocidura.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.203-212
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• 2013

The tooth morphology and qualitative mineral contents on enamel surface using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, (EDX) were examined in the white-toothed shrew (genus Crocidura ) Crocidura lasiura and C. suaveolens and the red-toothed shrew (genus Sorex) Sorex caecutiens. In the case of C. lasiura and C. suaveolens, dental formula was found I 3/1 C1/1 P1/1 M3/3=28. The upper 1st and 2nd molars had an unequal W-shape formed by 5 cusps on the crown. The 3rd molar was found one-third the size of those of 1st and 2nd molars. The upper 1st incisor had two different sized hook-shapes and the lower 1st incisor was even. In the case of S. caecutiens, dental formula was found to be I3/1 C1/1 P3/1 M3/3=32. The upper 1st and 2nd molars had an equal W-shape on crown. The upper 3rd molar was half the size of those of the other molars. The upper 1st incisor possessed two similar sized hook-shapes and the lower 1st incisor had an uneven and serrated form. A comparison with the dental and cranial measurements revealed C. lasiura to be the largest of the three species (p<0.001) and C. suaveolens and S. caecutiens were similar in size (p>0.05). A qualitative analysis of mineral contents on enamel surface of the lower 1st incisor and lower 1st molar using EDX revealed C, O, P, Ca and Cu in all specimens and Pb was detected in several enamel specimens. No significant differences in the mineral contents (% weight) were observed among the three species (p>0.05). Fe was only detected on enamel surface of S. caecutiens with red pigmented teeth. Therefore, Fe is responsible for the red tip of the teeth. These results suggest that tooth morphological characteristics including the color of the tooth tip might be used as the key classifying species belonging to Crocidura and Sorex.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2007

In order to find out the current situation of the fauna of the mammals which inhabit Hallasan National Park, the areas of Seongpanak, Eorimok, Gwaneumsa, Yeongsil and Donnaeko were surveyed. The survey was conducted from April 2006 to January 2007 The analysis of geographical distribution revealed that there are 15 species of mammals, which belong to eight families and five orders, in which Apodemus chejuensis, Carpreolus pygargus tianschanicns, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Tamias sibiriricus barberi were found to be dominant species. It was also found that there exists the fauna of mammals in Mt. Halla such as Mustela sibirica quelpartis, Crocidura dsinezmi quelpartis, Micromys minutus hertigi and Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus, showing a bio-geological attribute that territorial population of taxologically geographical subspecies class exists. The fauna of the mammals in Jeju Island is rather simpler in its species composition in comparison with the inland of the Korean Peninsula ever since Jeju Island's geographical isolation from the mainland, mainly consisting of Chiroptera and small rodents.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.657-663
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the difference in feeding habits of Red-Tongued Viper Snakes, according to available foods sources and areas. The effects of differences in food sources were found on Red-Tongued Viper Snake inhabited in the Jeju Island and its islet Gapado, from May 2006 to Nov. 2010. The food sources for the Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Jeju Island were found to be as follows: Chinese red-headed centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), Jeju Salamanders (Hynobius quelpaertensis), Japanese tree Frogs (Hyla japonica), Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis), Dybowski's Brown Frogs (Rana dybowskii), Black-spotted Pond Frogs (Rana nigromaculata), Smooth Skinks (Scincella vandenburghi), Asian Keelback Snakes (Amphiesma vibakari), Lesser White-toothed Shrews (Crosidura shantungensis), Hallasan Shrews (Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus), and Jeju Striped Field Mice (Apodemus chejuensis). This implies that Red-Tongued Viper Snakes mainly feed on amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Among these, amphibians occupied the highest portion at 55.2% followed by mammals at 20.7%, centipedes at 13.8%, and reptiles at 10.3%. On the contrary, Red-tongued viper snake population in Gapado only feed on Chinese red-headed centipedes and Smooth Skinks (S. vandenburghi). Since only a small amount of nutrient can be obtained from Chinese red-headed centipeds or Smooth Skinks, this feeding habit for Red-tongued viper snake would adversely effect on the growth or regeneration. The reason why Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Gapado mainly feed on Lizard and Centipedes in spite of relatively various available food sources, might be due to the low density of other food sources in the Gapado. Red-Tongued viper snake could be feeding on foods that are low in quality but are easily accessible, to minimize energy consumption on searching for other more nutritious foods. A snake tends to select the size of its food depending on the size of its own head. The positive correlation was found between the size of the heads of Red-Tongued viper snakes from the Jeju island and the diameter of their foods. The head size was larger in the males than females in viper snake population from the Jeju Island, which might effect on their selection of foods. However, no significant difference was found between the sizes of the head and the food in the Red-Tongued viper snake population from the Gapado. The findings of this study would provide meaningful data, which directly shows that even within the same viper species they choose different available food sources according to their inhabitance. This leads to their growth and adaptation to their environment which is beneficial for sustaining of its population.