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

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.235-242
• /
• 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
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.657-663
• /
• 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.