• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2016

Metallothionein (MT) family of metal-binding proteins are involved in maintaining homeostasis and heavy metal poisoning. Recently, MT has been considered as a biomarker that can identify a particular species, very similar to the use of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Satsuma myomphala species of land snails have been reported from North-East Asia, including South Korea and Japan. In particular, the land snail species have been known from only a limited area of Geoje Island, Gyeongsangnam-do province of South Korea. Genetic studies of S. myomphala has been limited with only 6 nucleotide, 2 protein registered on the NCBI server. For elucidating the genetic information of S. myomphala, we conducted RNA sequencing analysis using Illumina HiSeq 2500 next-generation platform. We screened the MT gene from the RNA-Seq database to confirm the molecular phylogenetic relationship. After sequencing, the de novo analysis and clustering generated 103,774 unigenes. After annotation against PANM database using BLAST program, we obtained MT sequence of 74 amino acid residues containing the coding region of 222 bp. Based on this sequence, we found about 53 sequences using the BLAST program in NCBI nr database. Using ClustalX alignment, Maximum-Likehood Tree of MEGA program, we confirmed the molecular phylogenetic relationships that showed similarity with mollusks such as Helix pomatia and H. aspersa, Megathura crenulata.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2016

NIFS conducted a feasibility study on the bay scallop Argopecten irradians aquaculture in the test site of Dongsanri, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do in June 2015. The transplantation for the test was also carried out in June. The average shell length was $5.79{\pm}0.6mm$ at the time, $15.83{\pm}0.8mm$ in July, $39.40{\pm}0.7mm$ in September, $55.72{\pm}5.8mm$ in November and $59.67{\pm}1.7mm$ in December. At the time of transplantation, the average shell height was $6.06{\pm}0.7mm$, and it grew to $16.40{\pm}0.9mm$ in July, $53.16{\pm}5.2mm$ in November and $55.80{\pm}2.9mm$ in December. Total weight was $0.78{\pm}0.5g$ in July but increased to $24.25{\pm}4.2g$ in November and $26.06{\pm}4.3g$ in December. The daily growth rate of shell length(DGR) was 0.33 mm / day in June, 0.43 mm / day in September and 0.13 mm / day in November. DGR of weight was 0.20 g / day in June, 0.27 g / day in September, 0.06 g / day in November. The relative growth of shell length and shell height was y = 0.9132x and $R^2=0.9923$. As a result, it was proved that bay scallop aquaculture is possible in Gangwon province, the northern part of the East Sea. This will definitely increase the income of fishermen by enabling them to culture more aquaculture species than the single large Patinopecten yessoensis in the region.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to confirm that a bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum can be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in the silt of the marine environment. The clams were collected from the silt of Cheonsu-bay, Buheung-ri, and Tan-island of the West Sea, Korea. To observe the normal structures of the target organs (hepatopancreas and gill), they were dissected out for the immunohistochemical study and the electron microscopy with TEM, SEM, and SEM-EDS. The immunohistochemical study showed that the interdiverticular connective tissues of the hepatopancreas, and the outer epithelium of the gill lamellae was strongly reacted to anti-metallothionein (MT), indicating the presence of MT, a metal-binding protein, involved in metal detoxifying process. According to the examinations under the TEM, the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of the clams collected from polluted area (Tan-island) showed certain changes such as swollen rER, swollen nuclear envelope and inclusion bodies in the nulcei. In the SEM-EDS analysis, tissue of the hepatopancreas showed relatively higher concentration of S, Zn, and Cd. These elements are supposed to be concerning with the MT-reaction in the hepatopancreas. Considering that the coastal bivalve R. philippinarum showed immediate subcellular responses to heavy metal pollution in the overall experiments conducted, this species might act as one of efficient biomarkers for the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2012

We investigated environmental characteristics of the tidal flat oyster aquafarms to clarifyeffects of the tidal flat environmental factors on growth and mortality of the tidal flat oyster Crassostrea gigas by the Net Bag Rack Culture System in two districts in Western Korea. In this study, we have carried out the basic environmental investigation on growth of the single tidal flat, water quality and sediments, etc. in Taean and Seosan districts, Choongcheongnam-do, where the single tidal flat oyster aquaculture have been performed by the net bag rack culture system. In June 2011 when the final survey carried out at the two districts in western Korea, the mortality in Seosan district was higher than that in Tae-an district. Judging from the results of growth and mortality of the single tidal flat oysters investigated at two sites of Jinsan-ri in Taean and Chang-ri in Seosan districts, two results of Taean district showed higher growth and lower mortality than those of Seosan district. It is assumed that the proper acceptable density possible for growth of the tidal flat seeds and the secure of economics, in case of plastic cultivate net with the size of $50{\times}80cm$, are about 200 individuals. In this study, It was clarified that selection of the suitable sites, the input into the net bag of high quality oyster seeds and selective dispersion in the optimal density of the single tidal flat oyster have an effect on growth and mortality of the tidal flat oyster.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.35
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• pp.27-38
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• 2006

We investigated the reproductive cycle with gonad developmental phases of Solen grandis by histological observations. Seasonal changes in biochemical components of the adductor muscle, visceral mass, foot muscle and mantle were studied by biochemical analysis, from January to December, 2005. The reproductive cycle of this species can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (December to January), late active stage (January to March), ripe stage (March to July), partially spawned stage (June to July) and spent/inactive stage (July to December). Total protein content was the highest in the foot muscle, the content was high in January (early active stage), the lowest in April (ripe stage), and was the highest in August (partially spawned stage). In the visceral mass, total protein content began to increase in February (late active stage) and reached a maximum in March (ripe stage). Thereafter, it gradually decreased between June and July (partially spawned stage). There was a strong negative correlation in total protein contents between visceral mass and mantle (r = -0.594, p = 0.042). Meanwhile there was a positive correlation between the adductor muscle and foot muscle, the correlation was not statistically significant (r = 0.507, p = 0.093). Total lipid content was the highest in the visceral mass; it was more than 2 to 5-fold higher than that in the adductor muscle, foot muscle, and mantle. Monthly changes in total lipid content were also most dynamic in the visceral mass. It was relatively higher between January and February, showed a maximum in March (the ripe stage), decreased rapidly from April to July (ripe and partially spawned stage), and gradually decreased from September to December (spent/inactive stage). There was a strong positive correlation in total lipid content between foot muscle and adductor muscle (r = 0.639, p = 0.025). Tthough a negative correlation was found between visceral mass and mantle (r = -0.392), the correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.208). Glycogen contents changed within relatively narrow range and were similar among different tissues. There was no statistically significant correlation in glycogen contents among tissues.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2011

Boring caracteristics, boring rate, and predation, rates on the valves of the seed and adult clams of Meretrix petechialis by Glossaulax didyma didyma in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor rearing aquarium were investigated by various morphometric data. The investigations were carried out from June to September, 2007. The morphology of drilled holes on the valves of M. petechialis showed the crater type as seen in the spats of Ruditapes philippinarum and M. lusoria. The sizes of the outer diameters of holes were greater than the inner diameters of the holes on the valves of M. petechialis in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor aquarium at the laboratory. On the whole, the sizes of the holes on the valves of the seeds of M. petechialis was smaller than those bored holes on the adult valves. The location of the bored holes on the valves of the seeds varied widely with the the sizes of the individuals of M. petichialis, while most of holes on the valves of adult clams were located near the umbo position of the valves of the clams in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor aquarium at the laboratory. On the whole, the outer and inner diameters of the bored holes increased with increase of shell lengths of the clams in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor rearing aquarium at the laboratory. The authors could confirm experimentally the boring snail, G. didyma didyma, drilled the seeds and adult clams of M. petechialis. In the experiments for 15 days (three times repeated) in the indoor rearing aquarium at the laboratory, the mortality of dead shells to total shells of M. petechialis by boring snail Glossaulax didyma didyma was totally average 41.5%, and percent of drilled shells to total dead shells of clams by the boring snail was average 47.1%. Of total shells, percent of drilled shells to total shells of clams by the boring snail was totally average 19.3%. Predation of G. didyma didyma were greater at night than the day time. Average 0.5 seed and adult individuals of M. petewchialis were consumed per G. didyma didyma, per day. Predation varied with shell lengths of M. petechialis and shell widths of G. didyma didyma.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2011

The manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) is mainly distributed in the coastal area which consist of mud, sand and gravel, but they rarely live on the upper and down reaches of river. For a long time the manila clam has been inhabited in Taehwa river which has been exploited as a traditional earning resources and has become as a major object by neighborhood fishermen. This study was undertaken to evaluate stock assessment and to build management implications with the ecological parameters in Taehwa river from June 2009 to June 2010. The maximum age of manila clam was determined to 6 years old from observing ring radius of shell, the length and weight relationship was TW = $0.0002SL^{3.063}$ ($R^2$ = 0.925). K and $L_{\infty}$ were respectively estimated 46.64 mm and 0.341/year by von Bertalanffy growth. The instantaneous total mortality was estimated to be 1.171/year and the age at first capture was 1.37 years by the Pauly's method using shell length composition. The current total biomass of manila clam was calculated 1,483 mt over study area $1.46\;km^2$ by swept area method. ABC (Acceptable Biological Catch) estimates of manila clam showed 512 mt with using $F_{0.1}$. It's desirable to determine the optimum harvesting time as after main spawning season, as well as it's required to manage fisheries resources considering capture age and biomass through adjusting a first age at capture.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2013

Experiments for net cage culture at sea were conducted in each $2.4{\times}2.4$ m in area and took the samples from four different densities: 150, 300, 450 and 600 per cross-sectional area ($m^2$) of shelter. The same stocking densities applied to indoor tank culture to investigate the growth and survival rate. The size of juvenile abalone sample was $36.14{\pm}2.28$ mm for net cage culture and $38.62{\pm}3.22$ mm or indoor tank. Feed such as raw brown sea mustard, raw kelp and dried kelp was sufficiently provided to the abalone. In net cage culture experiment, the growth of the spat of juvenile abalone was the fastest $60.53{\pm}5.75$ mm in the 150 abalone cage per square meter ($m^2$), followed by the 300 abalone cage at $54.01{\pm}5.17$ mm, 450 abalone cage at $51.48{\pm}5.37$ mm and 600 abalone cage at $51.09{\pm}4.96$ mm in order. In the meantime, in the indoor tank experiment, the 150 abalone indoor tank was the fastest $47.50{\pm}6.31$ mm per square meter, followed by the 300 abalone tank at $45.92{\pm}5.23$ mm, the 450 abalone tank at $44.24{\pm}5.59$ mm and the 600 abalone tank at $43.62{\pm}4.44$ mm in order. The survival rate was more than 97.9% in all the experiments, not showing a significant difference.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.24-50
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• 1985

Five different populations of Parafossarulus manchouricus (Chongpyung, Chinju and Kunsan, Korea; and Japan and Taiwan), a population of Bitbynia (Gabbia) misella (Gongju, Korea) and two different populations of Bithynta tentaculata (Michigan, U.S.A. and Bodensee, Germany) were compared in regard to eff-laying characteristics, morphology, chromosome cytology, natural infections of parasites and ecology of habitats. A satisfactory culture method was devised for laboratory rearing of the snails. Tropical fish food (Terra SML) and powdered green leaves (Ceralife) were used as the main food sources for the snails. Benthic diatoms such as Navicula and Gomphonema from the periphyton were also essential for satisfactory growth, especially for the baby snails. The aquaria were stabilized with small stones from a local stream. Young P. manchouricus snails grew to adult size in about 54 days after hatching. They laid eggs 150-156 days after hatching. The whole cycle (birth to egg-laying) took approximately 5 months. The three species of bithyniid snails are iteroparous and lay eggs once a year. There were no major morphological differences in the shells of genera or subgenera studied here. They did exhibit the following rather minor differences. The shell of Parafossarulus has spirally raised ridges, and its apex is usually eroded; the other two genera lack these characteristics. The shell of B. (Gabbia) misella is small, nor exceeding 7.5 mm in length, while the shells of the other two species are larger, being more than 10 mm in length. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the protoconch of P. manchouricus reveals nearly smooth sculpture with small, low, spiral wrinkles. This sculpture is quite different from that of the Hydrobiidae, a family to which the bithyniids are frequently assigned. Scanning electron microscopy of the radulae of the three bithyniid species showed that their radular morphologies are very similar, but there are some small differences, which may be species-specific. There were some statistical differences in shell heights between the Korean and the other populations of P. manchouricus, and between this species and the other two bithyniids as well. The shell differences between the several populations of Korean P. manchouricus may be related to environment. Edtails of the chromosome cycle of these bithyniid snails are similar to those reported for other snails. No specific differences were observed in the chromosome cycle between the various species and populations of snails employed in this study. Reporred for the first time in molluscs are two darkly stained "nucleolar organizers" during pachyterne stages of meiosis. Two different chromosome numbers were observed in the three bithyniid species: n=17 in B. tentaculata and P. manchouricus, and n=18 in B. (G.) misella. no sex chromosomes or supernumerary chromosomes were seen. There were no morphological differences in karyotypes of three Korean strains of P. manchouricus. The infection rates of cercariae of Clonorchis sinensis in Chinju and Kunsan strains of P. manchouricus were 0.14% and 1.25%, respectively. However, Clonorchis cercariae were found in Chongpyung strain of P. manchouriceu and Gongju strain of B. (G.) misella. The habitats of P. manchouricus around Jinyang Lake were relatively clean without any heavy pollution of aquatic microorganisms and organic materials during the period of this study. The levels of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) and biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.) of the water specimens sampled from the study areas ranged from 6.0 to 9.6 ppm and from 0.4 to 1.6 ppm, respectively. Eight metalic constituents from the water samples were also assayed, and all metalic ions detercted were remarkably low below the legal criteria. However, calcium ion in the water samples from the habitats of P. manchouricus was considerably higher than others.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

The influence of individual size, sediment, gain size, water temperature, salinity and air exposure on burrowing rate was investigated in order to obtain the basic biological data on applying shellfish farm for a sustainable production of ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii (Schrenk). The burrowing rate on individual size 300 minutes after starting the experiment was the highest in the shell length $16.3\;{\pm}\;1.2\;mm$, 97.7%. The highest burrowing rates were 97.0% in $12.8\;{\pm}\;0.8\;mm$, 96.7% in $9.2\;{\pm}\;1.0\;mm$, and 96.3% in $5.9\;{\pm}\;0.7\;mm$. The clams over 6 mm of shell length had burrowing ability and the burrowing rate was not related to the shell size. The burrowing rate depending on the kind of grain at the bottom after 300 minutes was the highest, 98.3%, in the mixture of sand and silt with a ratio of 75:25. The rates were 98% in silt (100%), 97.3% in mixture sand and silt with a ratio of 50:50, 97.3% in sand and silt ratio of 25:75, and 86.3% in sand (100%) in this specific order. On grain size of the soil in the seafloor, the burrowing rates after 300 minutes was at its highest in the group of sand in pore size 1 mm with 85.0%, and the $12\;{\mu}m$ to 1 mm in the grain size was fitted to burrowing of artificial seed. In the case of water temperature, the burrowing rates were at its highest after 300 minutes. In $30^{\circ}C$ group, the rate was 96.7% and in $25^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$, 90.0%. The rates decreased as the water temperature decreased below $15^{\circ}C$. The burrowing rates on salinity were the highest in 30 psu with 93.3% and at 15 psu and below, there was no noticeable change in the burrowing rate. On air exposure, the burrowing rates after 300 minutes were the highest in 1 hour with 93.3%, and remarkably decreased as air exposure time is longer after 12 hours of air exposure.