• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2020

The slender shinner (Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa), a tiny freshwater fish of about 8 to 10 cm belonging to Cyprinidae, is an endangered species found only in the Han and Imjin Rivers on the Korean Peninsula. During the breeding season, this species spawns in nests of Coreoperca herzi, a predator of this species, or small crevices on rocks. This unique reproductive ecology can make this species more vulnerable to anthropogenic perturbance that can further limit the places to spawn. Here, mtDNA and microsatellite loci were analyzed to identify the genetic diversity and structure of slender shinners and further to provide the basic data necessary for the conservation planning of this species. A total of 28 polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed using Illumina paired-end sequencing, and 67 slender shinners collected from three localities in the Han River were genotyped using these loci. This species showed a remarkably high level of genetic diversity with mean expected heterozygosity of 0.914 and mean allele number per locus of 27.9, and no signature of drastic demographic decline was detected. As a result of our microsatellite analysis, the genetic structure between the two stems of the Han River, North Han and South Han, was prominent. Such a genetic structure was also evident in the sequence analysis of 14 haplotypes obtained from mtDNA control region. Although slender shinners are only found in very limited areas around the world, the genetic structure indicates that there is a block of gene flow among the populations, which should be reviewed in the future if management and restoration of this species is needed.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2012

Egg development and early life history of the slender shinner, $Pseudopungtungia$ $tenuicorpa$ were investigated to provide basic information regarding biological characteristics and restoration in 2010. Eggs were obtained by injecting females with Ovaprim and then fertilized using the dry method in the laboratory. Matured eggs were strongly adhesive, opaque and grayish and measured $1.96{\pm}0.08mm$(mean${\pm}$SD) in diameter. Fertilized eggs hatched 240 h after fertilization at $23^{\circ}C$, and newly hatched larvae an average $8.6{\pm}0.25mm$ in total length. At 2 days after hatching, larvae averaged $9.0{\pm}0.37mm$ in total length and their yolk sacs had been completely absorbed. About at 10 days after hatching, they beacme to juvenile stage and reached $10.6{\pm}0.44mm$ in total length. At 70 days after hatching, the band patterns and external form of juveniles were similar to those of adults, and they averaged $36.0{\pm}2.13mm$ in total length.