• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2023

Polygordiidae is recorded as a new record in the Korean fauna. Twenty-three specimens of Polygordius pacificus were collected from the low intertidal zone with coarse sandy bottom on the eastern coasts of Korea. Morphologically, there was no doubt that the specimens are close to the holotype of P. pacificus, particularly due to the presence of elongated and longitudinal pygidial glands, and the length to width ratio. The prostomium of the Korean specimens have a rounded shape that is similar to subsequent research using scanning electron microscope. The DNA sequence comparison of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) between Korean and Japanese population supports the identification of present specimens.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.306-309
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• 2024

Rhyssemus Mulsant, 1842, represents one of the largest genera in the tribe Psammodiini, comprising approximately 170 species to date. This group is nearly cosmopolitan, excluding the Neotropical region, with 59 species recorded in the Palearctic region. On the Korean Peninsula, only one species, Rhyssemus koreanus Stebnicka, 1980 was recorded from North Korea. In this study, the genus Rhyssemus is recorded for the first time with a newly recorded species Rhyssemus inscitus (Walker, 1858) from South Korea. Adult specimens were collected from the costal sand dunes in Taean-gun and Jeju island. We herein provide a diagnosis, illustrations of morphological characters, and habitat information. Partial mitochondrial COI sequences of the species are also provided for DNA barcoding.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.654-661
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• 2019

The soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, is a major plant-parasitic nematode that has caused important economic losses to Korea's soybean production. Four species of cyst nematodes, H. schachtii, H. glycines, H. trifolii, and H. sojae, all belong to schachtii group are coexist in field soil in Korea. The rapid identification of the nematode is crucial for preventing crop damage and in decision making for controlling this nematode. This study aimed to develop a species-specific primer set for quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay of H. glycines. The specific primer set (HGF1 and HGR1) for H. glycines was designed based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence of mitochondrial DNA. After optimization, it is possible to identify the H. glycines using a qPCR assay with DNA extracted from a single cyst and single second-stage juvenile (J2). The specificity was confirmed by the absence of SYBR fluorescent signals of three other Heterodera species. A serial dilution of DNA extracted from a single cyst was obtained for the sensitivity test. The result showed that the standard curve of the test had a highly significant linearity between DNA concentration and Ct value (R² = 0.996, slope = -3.49) and that the detection limit concentration of DNA of the primer set was 10 pg of DNA per reaction. Our findings suggested that H. glycines could be distinguished from H. sojae and other Heterodera species when a qPCR assay is used with a specific primer set.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.547-551
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• 2009

Two closely related species, the soybean podworm, Matsumuraeses phaseoli, and the podborer, M. falcana, gives differential economic damages on crops. It is difficult to discriminate these potential sympatric species by morphological characters. The goal of this study was to develop a discriminating molecular marker based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A partial genomic fragment (500 bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) was sequenced in both species, in which restriction site by Rsa I was selected as a dichotomous marker. PCR-RFLP in the mtCOI region clearly discriminated both species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2013

Oryzias latipes and Oryzias sinensis are indigenous species found in Japan, China, and other East Asian countries, including Korea. Based on morphological differences, the species have been classified distinctly. However, the range of morphological characters such as the number of gill rakers, vertebrae, and spots on the lateral body overlaps and is too vague for clear identification, so their classification based on their morphological characteristics remains uncertain. In this study, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, which is used for DNA barcoding, was applied to clarify interspecific variation of O. latipes and O. sinensis. Intraspecific genetic diversity was calculated to identify correlations with geographic distributions. We studied two species collected from 55 locations in Korea. All individuals carried a 679-base pair gene without deletion or insertion. Between species, 525 base pairs of the gene were shared. The Kimura two parameter (K2P) distance of O. latipes and O. sinensis was 0.41% and 1.39%, respectively. Mean divergence within genera was 23.5%. Therefore, the species were clearly different. The distance between O. latipes and O. sinensis was 14.0%, which is the closest within genera. Interestingly O. latipes from the Japanese and Korean group represented 16.5% distant. These results were derived from geohistorical and anthropogenic environmental factors. The O. latipes haplotypes were joined in only one group, but O. sinensis was divided into two groups, one is found in the Han River and upper Geum River watershed; the other is found in the remaining South Korean watersheds. Further studies will address the causes for geographic speciation of O. sinensis haplotypes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2019

Pufferfish (Takifugu spp.) are economically important edible marine fish. Mistakes in pufferfish classification can lead to poisoning; therefore, accurate species identification is critical. In this study, we used the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) to design specific primers for six Takifugu species among the 21 domestic or imported pufferfish species legally sold for consumption in Korea. We rapidly and simultaneously identified these pufferfish species using a highly efficient, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system with the six species-specific primers. The results showed that species-specific multiplex PCR (multiplex species-specific polymerase chain reaction; MSS-PCR) either specifically amplified PCR products of a unique size or failed. MSS-PCR yielded amplification fragment lengths of 897 bp for Takifugu pardalis, 822 bp for T. porphyreus, 667 bp for T. niphobles, 454 bp for T. poecilonotus, 366 bp for T. rubripes, and 230 bp for T. xanthpterus using the species-specific primers and a control primer (ca. 1,200 bp). We visualized the results using agarose gel electrophoresis to obtain accurate contrasts of the six Takifugu species. MSS-PCR analysis is easily performed and provides identification results within 6 h. This technique is a powerful tool for the discrimination of Takifugu species and will help prevent falsified labeling, protect consumer rights, and reduce the risk of pufferfish poisoning..

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2014

This research was performed in order to investigate the origin, standard compound, and structural and physical properties of honeybee venom which used as natural antibiotic ingredients to animal. We compared the nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) of honeybees were collected from Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam province and Suwon. As major constituent of honeybee venom, melittin was assayed by liquid chromatography. X-ray, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were utilized to examine the structural and physical properties of honeybee venom. Based on the 627bp sequence of COI, Apis mellifera ligustica was determinated honeybees collected from all six regions. Melittin content varied from 50.7 to 68.6 and averaged 59.8%. According to XRD analysis, honeybee venom showed regular crystal structure peaks at $2{\Theta}=8.5^{\circ}$ and $21.5^{\circ}$. DSC showed that the maximum degration temperature of powder was around $230^{\circ}C$. Through FT-IR analysis, we could identify cross-linking by the presence of peptide peak at 1,500~1,600 $cm^{-1}$. In conclusion, the origin of honeybee venom was Apis mellifera ligustica and effective ingredient standards was melittin content varied from 50.7 to 68.6 as natural antibiotic ingredients.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2021

As the global demand for the carrageenophyte Kappaphycus is steadily increasing, its overall productivity, carrageenan quality, and disease resistance are gradually declining. In the face of this dilemma, wild Kappaphycus populations are viewed as sources of new cultivars that could potentially enhance production; therefore, assessment of their diversity is crucial. This study highlights the morphological and genetic diversity of wild Kappaphycus species obtained from two sites in the Philippines. Nucleotide alignments of available 5' region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI-5P) and cox2-3 spacer sequences of Kappaphycus confirmed the presence of K. alvarezii in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and K. striatus in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Based on the concatenated sequences of the COI-5P and the cox2-3 spacer, nine novel haplotypes were observed along with other published haplotypes. However, there was no relationship between haplotype and morphology. These newly recognized haplotypes indicate a reservoir of unutilized wild genotypes in the Philippines, which could be taken advantage of in developing new cultivars with superior traits. DNA barcodes generated from this study effectively expand the existing databank of Kappaphycus sequences and can provide insights in elucidating the genetic diversity of Kappaphycus species in the country.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.67-77
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• 2021

Salurnis marginella Guérin-Méneville, 1829 (Hemiptera: Flatidae) is an invasive species first reported in 2003 in Iksan, which is located in the mid-western region of South Korea, and subsequently found in the nearby regions in 2005. However, molecular-perspective reports on their invasive characteristics are not yet available. In this study, population genetic characteristics of Korean S. marginella were evaluated using the mitochondrial COI region and sequencing 124 individual samples collected in 11 Korean localities. A total of 12 haplotypes were identified with a maximum sequence divergence of 1.368% (9 bp). Haplotype diversity was relatively higher than that of other insect species invaded into Korea, providing 2-6 haplotypes per populations, indicating that introduction to Korea may have happened rather extensively and consistently. Nucleotide diversity (π) was the highest in Iksan but owing to the limited sample size (three individuals) from this locality, additional studies are required for drawing conclusive inference regarding the place of entry to Korea. Ulsan, the easternmost population in the present study, revealed nearly the lowest diversity estimates, such as the lowest H and the second-lowest π; a unique haplogroup with a higher frequency; and an independent genetic cluster, suggesting that the introduction of S. marginella to Ulsan was an independent event. Further collection in Korea and neighboring countries, including the original distributional range is necessary to elucidate the invasive dynamics of S. marginella

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the developmental characteristics and genetic diversity of seven populations of two-spotted crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)) raised in South Korea. Regarding the developmental characteristics of the species, we observed no statistically significant difference in the weight of the nymphs in the six populations we tested. After molting, although weight differences were observed between the populations in each stage of the developmental period, the average weight for each developmental stage was constant. We also analyzed mitochondrial COI gene sequences (DNA barcoding region) of the reared crickets collected from five insect farms and two national insect rearing facilities and the resultant sequences were analyzed together with the 12 sequences from foreign countries specimens obtained from public data. We detected six haplotypes from 111 specimens, indicating a low intraspecific genetic distance (~1.8%). The most dominant haplotype was overwhelmingly haplotype 1, which was found in all South Korean specimens and four specimens from China, Indonesia, and Germany. These findings indicate that the low genetic diversity of South Korean specimens can be explained by the fact that the G. bimaculatus population imported for feed from Japan in the early 2000s became a maternal group that spread throughout cricket farms in South Korea. In order to breed healthy cricket strains, it is necessary to increase genetic diversity by importing them from other countries through appropriate quarantine procedures.