• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.454-461
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• 2019

Background: Ikonnikov's whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b). Results: The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited. Conclusions: This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi. We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Evidence highlighting the importance of gut microbiota in biodiversity conservation is growing; however, gut bacteria in South Korean wildlife have not been well identified. Using a culture-dependent isolation method, we identified the gut bacteria from Korean aquatic wildlife: the gazami crab (Portunus trituberculatus), Korean striped bitterling (Acheilognathus yamatsutae), oily bitterling (Acheilognathus koreensis), leopard mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri), Korean dark chub (Zacco koreanus), diving beetle (Cybister lewisianus), spotted steed (Abbottina springeri), and Korean spotted sleeper (Odontobutis obscura interrupta). We identified 18 strains previously unrecorded in South Korea by comparing 16S rRNA gene sequences of isolates against the EzBioCloud and National Institute of Biological Resources(NIBR) databases. The isolated strains belong to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. We also assessed for phylogenetic relatedness, Gram-stain reaction, colony and cell morphology, and biochemical characteristics. Basic information and 16S rRNA gene sequences of the isolates were registered in NIBR, and NIBR accession numbers are provided.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.154-158
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• 2023

The Asiatic black bear, Ursus thibetanus, is among the most threatened or endangered species in Asia. For its conservation and management, sex identification of U. thibetanus using non-invasive samples (e.g., hair and/or feces) is potentially valuable. In this study, a non-invasive molecular method for sex identification of U. thibetanus samples collected from various countries was first utilized, and it was based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the amelogenin gene via PCRs. Thirty-three bear DNA samples, extracted not only from blood (n=9) but also from hair (n=18) and feces (n=6), were used. We performed sex-specific PCR amplifications of the amelogenin gene using a primer set, SE47 and SE48. The primer set could successfully amplify a single X-specific band for females and both X- and Y-specific bands for males from all blood (100%) and hair (100%) samples. In addition, the primer set could distinguish the sex of bears in four out of a total of six fecal samples (approximately 67%). This study's findings suggest that this molecular method can be applied to sex identification of Asiatic black bears from various Asian regions using non-invasive samples, such as hair and feces.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.6 s.67
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• pp.1023-1027
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• 2004

The RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential for the incision step of UV-induced excision repair. An yeast RAD3 gene has been previously isolated by functional complementation. In order to identify the RAD3 homologous gene from fungus Coprinus cinereus, we have constructed cosmid libraries from electrophoretically separated chromosomes of the C. cinereus. The 13 C. cinereus chromosomes were resolved by pulse-field gel electrophoresis, hybridized with S. cerevisiae RAD3 DNA, and then isolated RAD3 homologous DNA from C. cinereus chromosome. The RAD3 homolog DNA was contained in 3.2 kb DNA fragment. Here, we report the results of characterization of a fungus C. cinereus homolog to the yeast RAD3 gene. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the C. cinereus chromosome contains the RAD3 homolog gene and this gene exists as a single copy in C. cinereus genome. When total RNA isolated from the C. cinereus cells were hybridized with the 3.4 kb PvuII DNA fragment of the S. cerevisiae RAD3 gene, transcripts size of 2.8 kb were detected. In order to investigate whether the increase of the amount of transcripts by DNA damaging agent, transcript levels were examined after treating agents to the cells. The level of transcripts were not increased by untraviolet light (UV). This result indicated that the RAD3 homologous gene is not UV inducible gene. Gene deletion experiments indicate that the HRD3 gene is essential for viability of the cells and DNA repair function. These observations suggest an evolutionary conservation of other protein components with which HRD3 interacts in mediating its DNA repair and viability functions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.921-929
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• 2013

Huoyan goose is a Chinese local breed famous for its higher laying performance, but the problems of variety degeneration have emerged recently, especially a decrease in the number of eggs laid. In order to better understand the molecular mechanism that underlies egg laying in Huoyan geese, gene profiles in the pituitary gland of Huoyan geese taken during the laying period and ceased period were investigated using the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method. Total RNA was extracted from pituitary glands of ceased period and laying period geese. The cDNA in the pituitary glands of ceased geese was subtracted from the cDNA in the pituitary glands of laying geese (forward subtraction); the reverse subtraction was also performed. After sequencing and annotation, a total of 30 and 24 up and down-regulated genes were obtained from the forward and reverse SSH libraries, respectively. These genes mostly related to biosynthetic process, cellular nitrogen compound metabolic process, transport, cell differentiation, cellular protein modification process, signal transduction, small molecule metabolic process. Furthermore, eleven genes were selected for further analyses by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR results for the most part were consistent with the SSH results. Among these genes, Synaptotagmin-1 (SYT1) and Stathmin-2 (STMN2) were substantially over-expressed in laying period compared to ceased period. These results could serve as an important reference for elucidating the molecular mechanism of higher laying performance in Huoyan geese.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2017

Prangos fedtschenkoi (Regel et Schmalh.) Korovin (Apiaceae) is an endemic species for mountainous Middle Asia, which is both a rare and useful plant. Organic extractions from this species are being used in pharmaceutics and cosmetology. In recent years, P. fedtschenkoi distribution area has considerably decreased, presumably, resulting from human activities such as agriculture, construction works, overgrazing and collection from wild for pharmaceutic purposes. Six populations were found in Uzbekistan and their genetic divergence and differentiation were studied with 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, selected out of 101. Totally 166 amplified ISSR fragments (loci) were revealed, of which 164 were polymorphic. Relatively moderate level of polymorphism was found at population level with polymorphic bands ranging from 27.71% to 47.59%. Mean P = 39.05%, $N_a=1.40$, $N_e=1.25$, S.I. = 0.21, and $H_e=0.14$ were revealed for all loci across six populations. AMOVA showed higher variation among populations (62%) than within them (38%). The Bayesian model determined 5 clusters, or genetic groups. The posteriori distribution of the Theta II estimator detected full model identifying high inbreeding, intensified by low gene flow (Nm = 0.3954). Mantel test confined population 6 as distinct cluster corresponding to geographic remoteness (R = 0.5137, $p{\leq}0.005$). Results were used as the bases for developing conserve measures to restore populations.

• Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology : HEB
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.875-888
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• 2018

Tulip (Tulipa L.) is one of the most important ornamental geophytes in the world. Analysis of molecular variability of tulips is of great importance in conservation and parental lines selection in breeding programs. Of the 70 genic microsatellites, 15 highly polymorphic and reproducible markers were used to assess the genetic diversity, structure, and relationships among 280 individuals of 36 wild and cultivated tulip accessions from two countries: Iran and the Netherlands. The mean values of gene diversity and polymorphism information content were 0.69 and 0.66, respectively, which indicated the high discriminatory power of markers. The calculated genetic diversity parameters were found to be the highest in wild T. systola Stapf (Derak region). Bayesian model-based STRU CTU RE analysis detected five gene pools for 36 germplasms which corresponded with morphological observations and traditional classifications. Based on analysis of molecular variance, to conserve wild genetic resources in some geographical locations, sampling should be performed from distant locations to achieve high diversity. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram and principal component analysis plot indicated that among wild tulips, T. systola and T. micheliana Hoog exhibited the closest relationships with cultivated tulips. Thus, it can be assumed that wild tulips from Iran and perhaps other Middle East countries played a role in the origin of T. gesneriana, which is likely a tulip species hybrid of unclear origin. In conclusion, due to the high genetic variability of wild tulips, they can be used in tulip breeding programs as a source of useful alleles related to resistance against stresses.

• Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology : HEB
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.865-873
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• 2018

Allium ochotense and Allium microdictyon are commonly known as 'Mountain garlic' and are popular, economically important species in many countries such as Korea, China, and Mongolia. Their leaves are used as culinary side dishes and in traditional medicines. In Korea, these two species are at risk of extinction due to damage to their natural habitat and thus, conservation and breeding programs are needed. However, their identification relies mostly on morphological data, which is limited and until recently, led to classifying these two species under A. victorialis. In the present study, a simple and reliable method of molecular identification was developed to distinguish A. ochotense from A. microdictyon that targets four barcoding regions: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the maturase K gene (matK), the chloroplast psbA-trnH intergenic region, and the ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in ITS and matK regions, and species-specific primers were designed based solely on the SNP at position 680 of the ITS region that could differentiate A. ochotense from A. microdictyon. Using these primers in amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR, A. ochotense, and A. microdictyon could be simultaneously and efficiently distinguished. This study is the first to report a simple, rapid, and efficient method for discriminating A. ochotense and A. microdictyon, indicating the utility of species-specific markers in the development of conservation and breeding programs.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.337-347
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• 2020

Haraldiophyllum hawaiiense sp. nov. is described as a new mesophotic alga and a new genus record for the Hawaiian Islands. Six specimens were collected at a depth range of 81-93 m from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and their morphology investigated, as well as molecular phylogenetic analyses of the plastidial ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase large-subunit (rbcL) gene and a concatenated alignment of rbcL and nuclear large-subunit rRNA gene (LSU) sequences. Phylogenetic analyses supported H. hawaiiense sp. nov. as a distinct lineage within the genus Haraldiophyllum, and sister to a large clade containing the type species, H. bonnemaisonii, as well as H. crispatum and an undescribed European specimen. The six Hawaiian specimens were shown to be identical, but unique among other species of the genus as well as the recently segregated genus Neoharaldiophyllum, which comprises half of the species previously included in Haraldiophyllum. The vegetative morphology of H. hawaiiense sp. nov. resembles Neoharaldiophyllum udoense (formerly H. udoensis); however, no female or post-fertilization structures were found in the Hawaiian specimens to allow a more comprehensive comparison. The molecular phylogenies demonstrate that Haraldiophyllum is paraphyletic, suggesting either that the Myriogrammeae tribe includes undescribed genera, including Haraldiophyllum sensu stricto, or that Neoharaldiophyllum species should be transferred into the genus Haraldiophyllum. However, based on vegetative morphology and molecular analyses, and pending resolution of this taxonomic issue, the Hawaiian specimens are placed within the genus Haraldiophyllum. This new record for the Hawaiian Islands highlights the novel biodiversity from mesophotic depths, reaffirming the need for further investigation into the biodiversity of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Fusarium culmorum is one of the most important causal agents of root rot of wheat. In this study, 10 F. culmorum isolates were collected from farms located in five agro-ecological regions of Morocco. These were used to challenge 20 durum wheat genotypes via artificial inoculation of plant roots under controlled conditions. The isolate virulence was determined by three traits (roots browning index, stem browning index, and severity of root rot). An alpha-lattice design with three replicates was used, and the resulting ANOVA revealed a significant (P < 0.01) effect of isolate (I), genotype (G), and G × I interaction. A total of four response types were observed (R, MR, MS, and S) revealing that different genes in both the pathogen and the host were activated in 53% of interactions. Most genotypes were susceptible to eight or more isolates, while the Moroccan cultivar Marouan was reported resistant to three isolates and moderately resistant to three others. Similarly, the Australian breeding line SSD1479-117 was reported resistant to two isolates and moderately resistant to four others. The ICARDA elites Icaverve, Berghisyr, Berghisyr2, Amina, and Icaverve2 were identified as moderately resistant. Principal component analysis based on the genotypes responses defined two major clusters and two sub-clusters for the 10 F. culmorum isolates. Isolate Fc9 collected in Khemis Zemamra was the most virulent while isolate Fc3 collected in Haj-Kaddour was the least virulent. This work provides initial results for the discovery of differential reactions between the durum lines and isolates and the identification of novel sources of resistance.