Distribution of lichen flora on South Korea

After an overview on the temporary situation of the lichenology in South Korea, localities of 95 macrolichen taxa are reported for South Korea. In this revised lichen flora of South Korea, 16 species are apparently new to the territory. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI) at Sunchon National University in Korea, and duplicates have also been donated to the National History Museum and Institute, in Chiba, (CBM) Japan.     

Taxonomic review of the predatory stink bugs of the Korean Peninsula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae), with a key to the Korean species and a discussion of their usefulness as biological control agents

Owing to their predatory feeding habits, many members of the stink bug subfamily Asopinae have been used as biological agents for controlling insect pests. Herein a taxonomical review of Korean Asopinae species is presented. The habitus and a detailed genital morphology of each species is illustrated together with the first key to the Asopinae species present in Korea. We report Eocanthecona kyushuensis (Esaki & Ishihara, 1950) for the first time on the Korean Peninsula and the subtropical species Andrallus spinidens has been confirmed in the southern part of Korea, but Troilus luridus has not been found in the Republic of Korea. All this information is of extreme importance for the correct identification and understanding of the biology and distribution of Asopinae species. We also present a discussion of the potential usefulness and viability of the stink bugs as biological control agents in Korea.     

Studies on Paraphysomonadaceae (Chrysophyceae) from Andong Lake in Korea

During a study of the Paraphysomonadaceae in a multipurpose artificial reservoir Andong Lake, located in the central part of South Korea, 21 taxa of three genera were found: three species of Chrysosphaerella , seven of Spiniferomonas and eleven species of Paraphysomonas . All of these are known from many parts of the world, but are new to South Korea. Five of the species have previously been found in North Korea, but sixteen are new to Korea as a whole. Their seasonal occurrence has been followed through one year.     

Phylogenetic analysis of betanodaviruses isolated from cultured fish in Korea

Since the publication of the first report on fish nodaviruses in Korea in 1998, fish nodaviruses have caused widespread epizootic events among various fish species in Korea. However, the genotypes of fish nodaviruses in Korea have not yet been determined due to a lack of information about their nucleotide sequences. In this study, we isolated 5 fish nodaviruses from 4 fish species cultured in 4 different regions in Korea: rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus, Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, sevenband grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus, and grey mullet Mugil cophalus. The full open-reading frame (ORF) encoding the coat protein (1017 nt) was sequenced from each of the 5 fish nodaviruses and the nucleotide sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Results showed that even though their sequences were not identical, all 5 Korean isolates were clustered in the RGNNV genotype. This is the first report on the phylogenetic analysis of fish nodaviruses from cultured fish in Korea.     

Molecular identification of two Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Korea

Trichogramma wasps parasitize eggs of various insect species. Several Trichogramma species have been commercialized to manage Lepidopteran agricultural pests. Correct species identification is essential for successful biological control. However, the microscopic size and morphological similarity of Trichogramma species makes correct identification very difficult. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 gene sequences have been used to identify Trichogramma species. Using this molecular marker, Trichogramma species that are commercially available in Korea were identified as Trichogramma ostriniae and Trichogramma brassicae. The latter has not previously been reported in Korea. Additionally, Cadra cautella and Sitotroga cereallela eggs (host eggs of the commercialized Trichogramma species in Korea) were infected with Wolbachia. However, Trichogramma were not infected with the bacterium. This indicates that horizontal transfer of Wolbachia does not occur from host to wasp.     

Taxonomic review of the subgenus Uroleucon (Uromelan) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Korean peninsula

Until now, five species of the subgenus Uroleucon (Uromelan) have been recognized in Korea. This is the first report of Uroleucon (Uromelan) adenophorae (Matsumura, 1918) occurring on Adenophora triphylla (Campanulaceae) in Gangwon-do, South Korea. Host plants are reviewed and an identification key to species is presented for six Uroleucon (Uromelan) species from the Korean Peninsula.     

朝鲜北部的苔藓植物

朝鲜是同我国一江之隔的友好邻邦,它有着很多与我国东北地区共同的植物种类。因此,对朝鲜苔藓植物的研究,为进一步研究我国东北地区苔藓植物种属的起源、演化和分布区等具有重要的意义。笔者于1979年7月17日至8月29日,曾以中国科学院植物分类学赴朝考察组的组员身份,到朝鲜进行了苔藓植物学方面的考察并收集了有关资料。根据这些标本资科和有关文献,加以分析和研究后写成了本文。     

The status quo of invasive alien insect species and plant quarantine in Korea

The recent increase in agricultural commodities from abroad and travelers due to the economic growth and globalization in Korea has resulted in an increase in invasive alien insect species establishing in Korea. When “alien” is defined as species introduced after the beginning of the Greater Korean Empire Era (1897), 171 insect species are considered invasive alien species. On average, 0.85 alien insect species have become established each year for the last 40 years, and 76.6% of the alien insect species are economic agricultural pests. The annual invasion rate and the pest interceptions from imported cut flowers, planting material, and vegetables have been increasing rapidly. Traveler's baggage is an important pathway for fruit flies. Most of the alien pests that were first found in Japan were confirmed in Korea at least 3 years later until the 1990s, but the pattern has been reversed since the 2000s. Thus, continuous information sharing with neighboring countries such as Japan and China is needed to develop a system for early detection and prompt action against invading insect species. Thus, we introduce and summarize the present status of invasive alien insect species in Korea.     

Genetic diversity and historical migration patterns of an endemic evergreen oak,Quercus acuta,across Korea and Japan,inferred from nuclear microsatellites

Forests dominated by broad-leaved evergreen trees cover a narrow zone of the southern coast of Korea as well as warm-temperate and subtropical regions of Japan. However, little is known about their establishment history, especially in Korea. Endemic Quercus acuta grows in Korea and Japan. We evaluated its genetic diversity, population structure, and degree of lineage admixture in terms of its distribution history. Analyses utilized seven nuclear microsatellites that were genotyped from 330 individuals of 16 populations. Genetic diversity was highest for the Japanese Kyushu populations. The allelic diversity of populations was similar between Jeju Island and Kyushu, implying that they are putative refugia. Although the mean F _ST value was very low, patterns for isolation-by-distance were strong and significant. Results from Bayesian clustering and Monmonier’s algorithm indicated that populations are roughly partitioned from west (Korea and Kyushu) to east (Japanese Honshu). Therefore, the two divisions within this species are demographically independent and may have arisen due to past fragmentation. In considering the mixed genetic structure between Korea and Kyushu populations, and the higher levels of genetic diversity in mainland Korea relative to Honshu, we hypothesized that this species has been able to survive within Jeju Island and Kyushu. Consequently, mainland Korea populations might have been shaped by range expansion that kept them well mixed from a continuous and large genetic resource.     

Some rotifers from Republic of Korea

The author gives account of rotifers found at ten locations in the Republic of Korea, and elaborates some detail of specimens encountered with remarks and drawings. Thirty-seven different rotifer species were found, mostly belonging to the Order Monogononta. Twenty-two are new to the species list compiled by Yamamoto (1953). Keratella hiemalis was found for the first time in Asia. To date, one-hundred and two species of rotifers have been found in Korea.     

Molecular Identification of Haemadipsa rjukjuana (Hirudiniformes: Haemadipsidae) in Gageo Island,Korea

There are 60 species of blood-feeding land leeches, 50 species belonging to the family Haemadipsidae and 10 species belonging to the family Xerobdellidae. Despite recent papers on the land leeches, their taxonomic identification is not fully understood, especially at a species level. In Korea, there have been no historical records of the terrestrial leeches, but recently an unrecorded blood-feeding land leech was discovered at Gageo-do (Island), Korea. Molecular analysis was used to identify the species of 29 leeches collected from Mt. Dock-Sil in Gageo-do. Conventional PCR was conducted using nuclear 18S rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genetic marker. The 18S rRNA sequences revealed that the leeches share 99.9% identity with Haemadipsa rjukjuana (inhabiting Taiwan), and the CO1 sequences revealed that the leeches are very close to H. rjukjuana (inhabiting Taiwan). The CO1 sequences were separated into 2 categories, 1 with 94.6% and the other with 94.3% similarity to the H. rjukjuana L00115A (inhabiting Taiwan). This new finding of the land leech is the first record in Korea. In addition, the north range of the distribution of the blood-feeding leech (Hirudiniformes: Haemadipisidae) should be reconsidered including Korea.     

中国云南西部地衣区系(英文)

对中国云南西部高山地区的大型地衣进行了调查。采集地衣标本400余份,鉴定为46属86种,其中40种在朝鲜半岛有报道。所有采集的标本现保藏于顺天大学韩国地衣研究所和中国科学院昆明植物研究所隐花植物标本馆。     

Two genetic lineages of sea slaters, Ligia (Crustacea: Isopoda) in South Korea: a population genetic approach

In this study, the species composition and population genetic properties of the sea slater, Ligia, in South Korea were investigated using mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. Two groups of sea slaters, genetically isolated from each other, a Western Group (WG) and an Eastern Group (EG) were identified. These groups exhibited considerable genetic divergence from Ligia exotica, previously recorded as a species inhabiting this country. These results indicate that there may be two species of Ligia in South Korea, but there is a small probability that both groups are L. exotica. A comparison of their genetic properties indicates that WG has a higher effective population size than EG, and that EG may have experienced a recent expansion, implying that it has a shorter history in South Korea than WG. These findings suggest that the South Korean sea slater populations may have been established as a result of several colonization events that can be traced on a continental scale by phylogeographic studies of sea slaters.     

Screening of Necrotizing Spiders in Korea Using Nonradioactive Sphingomyelinase Assay (I) Wandering Spiders

There are now more than 40,000 identified spider species in the world, and considered about 100 species as actually dangerous to human. Spider bites cause a range of symptoms from simple swellings to disfiguring necrotic lesions, and occasionally death. While spider bites are not a major medical problem in Korea, it would be of great value to know which species of spiders pose a threat to human health. A middle molecular weight protein, sphingomyelinase D, has been identified in the venom of the brown recluse spider and strong evidence suggests that they have a major role in spider bite necrosis. For the identification of necrotizing species, we have investigated using recently developed non‐radioactive assay of sphingomyelinase for rapidly screening the necrotizing venoms. Here, we demonstrate the fetal toxicity of total 57 species (32 genera, 9 families) of the wandering spiders among 622 identified spider species in Korea. It has been revealed that two species of the Thomisidae spider, Ozyptila nongae (0.2467) and Diaea subdola (0.2020) have the strongest sphingomyelinase activities among themselves. In addition one species of the family Pisauridae, Dolomedes sulfureus (0.2341) has also relatively higher value comparing to other wandering spiders. However comparing to that of the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa (1.814) in North America the necrotizing activities of these Korean wandering species are still very low state, so there seems to be little possibilities to create serious medical problems by the necrotizing arachnidism in Korean peninsula.     

Screening of Necrotizing Spiders in Korea Using Nonradioactive Sphingomyelinase Assay(II) Web-building Spiders

Spider bites cause a range of symptoms from simple swellings to disfiguring necrotic lesions, and occasionally death. While spider bites are not a major medical problem in Korea, it would be of great value to know which species of spiders pose a threat to human health. A middle molecular weight protein, sphingomyelinase D, has been identified in the venom of the brown recluse spider and strong evidence suggests that they have a major role in spider bite necrosis. For the identification of necrotizing species, we have investigated using recently developed non‐radioactive assay of sphingomyelinase for rapidly screening the necrotizing venoms. Here, we demonstrate the fetal toxicity of total 65 species (24 genera, 9 families) of the web‐building spiders among 622 identified spider species in Korea. It has been revealed that four species of the orb‐weaving spider, Araneus ventricosus (family Araneidae, 0.3509), Dipoena castrata (0.2413, family Theridiidae), Argiope minuta (0.1836, family Araneidae), and Paracoelotes spinivulva (0.1760, family Amaurobiidae) have relatively strong activities among themselves. However, comparing to that of the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles recluse (1.814) in North America, the necrotizing shpingomyelinase activities of these Korean web‐building spiders are still very low. Based on our results, we may thus conclude that there would be little possibilities in South Korea to create serious medical problems caused by necrotizing arachnidism.     

Highland macrolichen flora of Northwestern Yunnan, China

Fifty-six species in 36 genera of macrolichens are reported from the Zhongdian area, northwest Yunnan, China during the lichenological expedition for highland macrolichen survey in June, 2004. More than 60% of these species have not been reported in South Korea. All of the 182 collected specimens are deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI) at Sunchon National University in Korea, and some of them are duplicated in the lichen herbarium, Crytogamic Herbarium, Kunming Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica (KUN-L) in China. This is the first report on the macrolichen flora in the visited areas.     

Host specificity of Austropeplea ollula (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) to miracidial infection with a human intestinal fluke Neodiplostomum seoulense (Trematoda: Diplostomatidae) in Korea

Three species of freshwater pulmonate snails of Lymnaeidae have been reported from Korea, Radix auricularia coreana, Austropeplea ollula, and Fossaria truncatula. Of these 3 species, only A. ollula was naturally infected with Neodiplostomum seoulense cercariae (prevalence, 0.3%). In experiments with the laboratory-reared snails, A. ollula was found to be susceptible to the N. seoulense miracidia (prevalence, 10%). This is the first report of A. ollula as the first molluscan intermediate host for N. seoulense in Korea.     

Genetic Analysis of Betanodaviruses in Subclinically Infected Aquarium Fish and Invertebrates

Betanodaviruses causing viral nervous necrosis (VNN) have been detected and isolated from several species of cultured marine fish worldwide. In Korea, VNN was identified in several species of cultured marine fish. This study presents data on the amplified nested PCR product (420 bp) of 11 nodavirus strains from different species of apparently healthy aquarium fish and invertebrates collected in one private commercial aquarium in Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on the partial nucleotide sequence (177 bases) of the RNA2 coat protein gene were identical to the redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotype (96%–100%). The presence of the RGNNV type of betanodaviruses in these subclinically infected aquarium fish and invertebrates imported from different countries probably indicates that the samples were contaminated inside the aquarium and represents a serious challenge for its management of viral nervous necrosis. These positive samples can be an inoculum source of betanodavirus infection to other susceptible fish species inside the aquarium.