• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2019

The genus Dendrodoris Ehrenberg, 1831 includes about 46 valid species worldwide, and is found in relatively shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, and Australian regions. To date, five Dendrodoris species have been reported from Korea. In this study, we report D. guttata (Odhner, 1917) collected from Jeju Island. Morphology is distinguished from other Dendrodoris species by the shape of the black spots on the dorsal mantle and coloration of the gills. We determined mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) partial sequences and combined them with publically available sequences of closely related congeneric species to examine its phylogenetic position among Dendrodoris species.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.240-243
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• 2023

The genus and species, Diekeana insignis(Gorham), is reported for the first time in Korea. Male adults were collected from Geoje Island and Changwon-si, located in the southern part of South Korea. The species of D. insignis(Gorham) is characterized by the following morphological characteristics: body length about 9.4mm; pronotum with transverse black marking in the middle part; each elytron with seven large black markings; penis long, slightly bent at apical part, truncate at apex; parameres narrow and as long as penis guide; penis guide narrow and pointed at apex. We herein provide habitus photographs, illustrations of morphological characters, male genitalia, and a detailed diagnosis. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene was obtained and provided mtDNA information for this species.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2023

Kushia zosteraphila Harris V.A. & Iwasaki, 1996 is newly collected and described from macroalgae in the intertidal region of Gijang-gun, along the southeastern coastal region of Korea. Kushia zosteraphila can be distinguished from congeners by following morphological characteristics: the length of the first dorsal seta similar with the second dorsal seta of female P5, the length to width ratio of the female caudal ramus, and the presence of a conspicuous comb on the accessory lobe of the male antennule. Although there are some minor discrepancies, the main diagnostic characteristics of the specimen from the study area are well-matched with the original description. We herein provide detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations of this species. According to a survey of the location of the reported porcellidiid species in Korea, this specimen is the second record in Korean waters of the genus Kushia. A key to species of the family Porcellidiidae in Korea is provided. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene was obtained and provided as a DNA barcode for this species.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.677-683
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• 2011

Eleven individual larvae (3.6-8.0 mm notochord length, NL) were collected from the southern East Sea of Korea in July, 2010, and the adjacent Sea of Jeju Island in August, 2011. Five individuals were identified using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences (494 base pairs). All were identified as Auxis rochei, their mtCOI sequences being consistent with those of adult A. rochei (d=0.000), followed by Auxis thazard (d=0.027). In terms of morphology, A. rochei larvae showed a preflexion stage of 4.8 mm NL, but a flexion stage between 5.2-6.2 mm NL, and subsequently a postflexion stage between 6.6-8.0 mm NL. During the larval stage, A. rochei differed from A. thazard in having no (or few) melanophores in the lateral caudal region.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.226-239
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• 2021

Sebastes minor, Sebastes trivittatus, Sebastes owstoni, and Sebastes steindachneri are indigenous fish species inhabiting the central part of the East Sea, Korea. In order to understand the molecular evolution of these four rockfishes, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of S. minor and S. trivittatus. To further analyze the phylogeny of Sebastes species, the mitogenomes of 16 rockfishes were comparatively investigated. The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) nucleotide sequences of S. minor and S. trivittatus were 16,408 bp and 16,409 bp in length, respectively. A total of 37 genes were found in mtDNA of S. minor and S. trivittatus, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes, which exhibited similar characters with other Sebastes species in the East Sea, Korea. In addition, we detected a conserved motif "ATGTA" in the control region of the four Sebastes species, but no tandem repeat units. Comparative analyses of the congeneric mitochondrial genomes were performed, which showed that control regions were more variable than the concatenated protein-coding genes. As a result of analysing phylogenetic relationships of four Sebastes species by using concatenated nucleotide sequences of 13 protein-coding genes, S. minor, S. trivittatus, S. owstoni and S. steindachneri were clustered into three clades. The phylogenetic tree exhibited that S. minor and S. steindachneri shared a closer relationship, whereas S. trivittatus and S. vulpes formed another distinct clade. Our results contribute to a better understanding of evolutionary patterns of Sebastes species inhabiting the middle East Sea, Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.6 s.67
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• pp.938-950
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• 2004

We used portions of mitochondrial 125 ribosomal RNA gene sequences (339 bp) to investigate the phylogenetic and population genetic characteristics of the Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in Korean waters. A total of 35 mtDNA haplotypes were obtained from the samples collected in 3 locations (the southern area of the Yellow Sea, the western coast of Jejudo, and the eastern area of the South Sea) in Korean waters. One haplotype, AN8T103, obtained from the southern area of the Yellow Sea, was formed according to an independent phylogenetic individual in the PAUP analysis, which was separated from the others by a $0.2-4.1\%$ sequence divergence. This distinct haplotype appeared to be one that was carried by immigrants from another study area, but further study is necessary. Genetic divergence, except for AN8T103, was moderate to substantial $(0.2-3.8\%)$ and nucleotide diversity within populations was 0.015 for Yellow Sea, 0.013 for Jejudo, and 0.D15 for South Sea, respectively. The female gene flow was substantial or high (Nm=25.5-36.4), and the genetic distances between regions were not statistically significant $(P>0.01)$. These results indicated that the Japanese anchovy populations occurring in Korean waters were consisted of individuals randomly dispersed over geographic areas.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2012

The tiger population that once inhabited the Korean peninsula was initially considered a unique subspecies (Panthera tigris coreensis), distinct from the Amur tiger of the Russian Far East (P. t. altaica). However, in the following decades, the population of P. t. coreensis was classified as P. t. altaica and hence forth the two populations have been considered the same subspecies. From an ecological point of view, the classification of the Korean tiger population as P. t. altaica is a plausible conclusion. Historically, there were no major dispersal barriers between the Korean peninsula and the habitat of Amur tigers in Far Eastern Russia and northeastern China that might prevent gene flow, especially for a large carnivore with long-distance dispersal abilities. However, there has yet to be a genetic study to confirm the subspecific status of the Korean tiger. Bone samples from four tigers originally caught in the Korean peninsula were collected from two museums in Japan and the United States. Eight mitochondrial gene fragments were sequenced and compared to previously published tiger subspecies' mtDNA sequences to assess the phylogenetic relationship of the Korean tiger. Three individuals shared an identical haplotype with the Amur tigers. One specimen grouped with Malayan tigers, perhaps due to misidentification or mislabeling of the sample. Our results support the conclusion that the Korean tiger should be classified as P. t. altaica, which has important implications for the conservation and reintroduction of Korean tigers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3863-3868
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• 2012

In this study mitochondrial D-Loop variations in Iranian prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients were investigated. Tumour samples and corresponding non-cancerous prostate tissue from 40 prostate cancer patients and 40 age-matched BPH patients were collected. The entire mtD-loop region (16024-576) was amplified using the PCR method and products were gel-purified and subjected to direct nucleotide sequencing. A total of 129 variations were found, the most frequent being 263A${\rightarrow}$G and 310T${\rightarrow}$C among both BPH and prostate cancer patients. Variation of 309 C${\rightarrow}$T was significantly more frequent in prostate cancer patients (P value<0.05). Four novel variations were observed on comparison with the MITOMAP database. Novel variations were np16154delT, np366G${\rightarrow}$A, np389G${\rightarrow}$A and 56insT. There was no correspondence between the different variations and the age of subjects. Considering that D-loop variations were frequent in both BPH and prostate cancer patients in our study, the fact that both groups had high average age can be a possible contributing factor. D-loop polymorphisms and microsatellite instability can influence cell physiology and result in a benign or malignant phenotype. Significantly higher frequency of 309 C${\rightarrow}$T variation in cancer patients is a notable finding and must be a focus of attention in future studies.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2002

We compared the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences of Korean and European cobitids to provide independent evidence for assessment of systematic and biogeographic relationships of species in the genus Cobitis. The data suggested monophyly of the genus Cobitis and the inclusion of Korean Cobitis species within the group having one lamina circularis, a primitive condition. Also, all the phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and neighbor joining methods showed a monophyletic relationship among Cobitis. The basal position of the Caspian C. cf. sibirica reported here reflects the eastern Asiatic origin cf. the European Cobitis and establishes C. cf. sibirica as an independent lineage. The Korean C. pacifica diverged next to C. cf. sibirica in basal group from the genus Cobitis. This result is in agreement with the hypothesized Asiatic origin of some European freshwater fish lineages. The phylogenetic relationships in this study showed a close affinity between C. zanadreai and C. sinensis. Two new species, C. tetralineata and C. pacifica in Korea also are closely related to monophyletic group clustering the type species of the Acanestrinia subgenus (C. elongata) with all the endemic Italian species (C. bilineata and C. zanandreai). This may suggest that the affinity between the Korean and Danubian-Italian imply genetic convergence or genetic plesiomorphic state between allopatric species that are separated for the Miocene. The mtDNA-based phylogeny for the species of the genus Cobitis from Kores and Europe permits phylogenetic assessment of the morphological transitions of Iamina circularis.