Study on two unrecorded genera,Barycnemis Förster and Phradis Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae), from South Korea

Six genera of the subfamily Tersilochinae (Barycnemis, Diaparsis, Gelanes, Phradis, Probles and Tersilochus) are recognized in South Korea. Two genera, Diaparsis and Tersilochus, were previously recognized from South Korea, whereas the other four genera are recorded from this country for the first time. All genera found in South Korea, except the almost cosmopolitan Diaparsis, are entirely or predominantly Holarctic. A key to the six genera of Tersilochine occurring in South Korea is provided. Two genera of Korean Tersilochinae (Barycnemis and Phradis) are reviewed here, and a key to the other four species (B. bellator, B. dissimilis, P. kyushuensis and P. nikishenae) is provided in this paper.     

First record of the tribe Trigonoderini (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from South Korea with descriptions of two new species

The tribe Trigonoderini (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) contains six genera (Gastracanthus Westwood, Janssoniella Kerrich, Miscogasteriella Girault, Platygerrhus Thomson, Plutothrix Förster and Trigonoderus Westwood). This tribe is recorded from South Korea for the first time. Two new species, Janssoniella albiclava Tselikh & Lee sp. nov. from South Korea and J. magna Tselikh & Lee sp. nov. from South Korea and the South Far East of Russia, are described. Eight species (Gastracanthus acutus (Kamijo), G. nigrescens Kamijo, Janssoniella intermedia Hedqvist, Miscogasteriella sulcate (Kamijo), Plutothrix scrobicula Kamijo, P. trifasciata (Thomson), Trigonoderus fraxini Yang and T. nigrocephalus Kamijo) are recorded from South Korea for the first time. The keys for identification of the Eastern–Palearctic species of Janssoniella and Gastracanthus are given and photos of diagnostic characters of the new species are provided.     

Effect of climate change on the potential distribution of the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura) in South Korea

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), known as common cutworm, is a worldwide pest that causes severe damage to various crops and vegetables in South Korea. In this study, we predicted the potential distribution of S. litura in South Korea in a climate change scenario by applying species distribution modeling. We used the CLIMEX software as a main tool and determined optimal parameter values to simulate the current distribution of S. litura in Asia. We then used these parameter values to predict the species' future distribution in South Korea. As a result, we prepared maps indicating areas with suitable climate for S. litura and showed that these areas gradually increased as a result of climate change. Approximately 98% of the areas in South Korea were predicted to have a favorable climate for S. litura in 2100; 63.2% of the area in South Korea is currently favorable. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to predict the potential distribution of S. litura in South Korea, and it provides the basic data necessary to establish an optimal control strategy of this species.     

Review of the genus Eusterinx Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Orthocentrinae) with descriptions of five new species from South Korea

South Korean species of the genus Eusterinx Förster are reviewed here. Nine species of the genus Eusterinx are found to occur in South Korea, and five species, Eusterinx (E.) elongata sp. nov. , E. (Holomeristus) hirtis sp. nov. , E. (Ischyracis) fulvipes sp. nov. , E. (I.) petiolata sp. nov. and E. (I.) rufithorax sp. nov. , are described. Four more species of Eusterinx from subgenera Divinatrix, Eusterinx and Holomeristus are recorded from South Korea for the first time. Hitherto, unknown male of the Eastern Palaearctic species E. (Divinatrix) kurilensis Humala is described. A key to all known species of the genus Eusterinx occurring in South Korea is provided.     

Revision of the family Sphecidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in South Korea

Korean species of the family Sphecidae are reviewed, and seventeen species in nine genera belonging to three subfamilies are confirmed. Among them, Ammophila campestris and Sceliphron caementarium are new to South Korea. Korean occurrence of Sceliphron madraspatanum is confirmed with an actual Korean specimen. This paper provides the first determination keys to higher taxa and species occurring in South Korea. Taxonomic information of each species including original publication of valid name and justifiable references for Korean occurrence is provided. Digital images and line drawings for selective characteristics are also available.     

Taxonomy of two oxypodine genera, Porocallus Sharp and Rhomphocallus Assing, in Korea (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

A taxonomic study of the genera Porocallus Sharp and Rhomphocallus Assing in Korea is presented. The genus Rhomphocallus and two species, Rhomphocallus princeps (Sharp) and Rhomphocallus maruyamai Assing, are reported for the first time in Korea. Porocallus insignis Sharp is recorded for the first time in South Korea. Diagnoses, illustrations of habitus and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided.     

Genetic variation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea jezoensis</Emphasis> populations in South Korea revealed by chloroplast,mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers

Genetic variation associated with Picea jezoensis populations of South Korea was investigated using chloroplast (cp), mitochondrial (mt) and nuclear DNA markers. In South Korea, P. jezoensis is distributed across a very restricted area, being found on the summits of three mountains: Mts. Jiri, Dokyu and Gyebang. Examination of five region restriction enzyme combinations for mtDNA and four for cpDNA revealed haplotypes endemic to South Korea. The Gyebang population, the most northerly and most isolated, was genetically distinct from the other populations. Nuclear microsatellite markers indicated, overall, a low level of genetic diversity (H _e = 0.406) in South Korea; this could be attributed to genetic drift and/or founder effects associated with historical events. The Wilcoxon sign-rank test did not indicate a recent bottleneck in any of the populations irrespective of the model considered (infinite allele model, two-phased model of mutation, and stepwise mutation model). Microsatellite markers also demonstrated that the Gyebang population was distinct from the others. The results of this study could be used as the basis for conservation guidelines for the management of this species in South Korea.     

First record of a complete giant theropod egg clutch from Upper Cretaceous deposits,South Korea

Here, we report the first occurrence of a complete Macroelongatoolithus clutch from outside of China. Excavated from Upper Cretaceous strata of Aphae-do in Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea, the clutch of 19 eggs is characterised by large, elongate, symmetrical eggs arranged in a single-layered ring-shaped clutch. Eggs are inclined towards the centre of the 2.3-m diameter clutch, and average 41.17 cm long and 15.58 cm wide. Of the 19 eggs, 8 clearly retain a paired configuration. This specimen represents only the second report of large theropod eggs from South Korea and is the most complete Macroelongatoolithus clutch known from the region to date. Eggshell microstructural features are consistent with Macroelongatoolithus xixiaensis (oofamily Elongatoolithidae), previously known only from Cenomanian strata of southeastern China. This first record of a giant theropod egg clutch, here assigned to M. xixiaensis, extends the stratigraphic and paleogeographic range of Macroelongatoolithus eggs and parent animals to include the Campanian of South Korea.     

Genetic divergence between the South Korean and Mongolian populations of the dung beetle,Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences

The locally extinct dung beetle, Gymnopleurus mopsus Pallas, 1781 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), has not been found in South Korea since the 1970s. This research was conducted to understand the genetic divergence between the South Korean and Mongolian populations of G. mopsus as a part of its reintroduction program in South Korea. The genetic distance and diversity were determined using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence (658 bp ) corresponding to the DNA barcode region. The mitochondrial COI gene sequences of 64 individuals of G. mopsus collected in South Korea (7 individuals) and Mongolia (57 individuals) showed a relatively high level of genetic diversity (nucleotide diversity, 0.0078 ± 0.0007; Haplotype diversity, 0.965 ± 0.017). The genetic distances between the South Korean and Mongolian populations lay within the intraspecific level and the phylogenetic reconstruction using the neighbor‐joining (NJ) method showed that all individuals belonged to a single clade. This result indicates that the current Mongolian population of G. mopsus is a good candidate source population to restore the locally extinct population of the species in South Korea.     

DNA data and morphology suggest an occurrence of Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetverikov, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) instead of D. superans Butler, 1877, in South Korea

In the present study, specimens of Dendrolimus superans collected from South Korea suggest the presence of D. sibiricus, instead of D. superans. Comparisons of the wing morphology, female and male genitalia, 3′‐end region of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequence, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 sequence of the Korean specimens with those of the D. superans specimens from Japan consistently supported the presence of D. sibiricus in South Korea. Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated sequences of COI and ITS2 from the available sequence types of D. sibiricus and D. superans, along with South Korean specimens, were conducted using the Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. These phylogenetic analyses placed the South Korean specimens with the Russian D. sibiricus as an inclusive group, excluding the Japanese D. superans, indicating the distribution of D. sibiricus in South Korea. Nevertheless, D. superans formed a distinct group only by BI analysis (Bayesian posterior probabilities = 0.89), whereas D. sibiricus, including the South Korean samples, formed a distinct group only by the ML analysis (99%), suggesting a low genetic divergence between the two species.     

Genetic divergence of Platycerus hongwonpyoi (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in South Korea

We examined the genetic divergence of Platycerus hongwonpyoi Imura & Choe, 1989 in South Korea using the nuclear wingless (Wg) gene, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. We found no variation in Wg or ITS. Based on COI, P. hongwonpyoi was split into four well defined and one weakly supported clades, which were inferred to have diverged 2.11–1.33 Ma. The Platycerus hongwonpyoi population size seems to have decreased during the past several tens of thousands of years. The divergence times of major clades of P. hongwonpyoi were comparable with those involved in the speciation of certain Japanese species. Frequent overlapping of different clades at the same sites suggests the occurrence of secondary gene flow following differentiation in South Korea. In conclusion, the genus Platycerus underwent strikingly different divergence patterns in South Korea compared with Japan according to the disparate topographies of these two geographical areas.     

Conservation of Hipparchia autonoe (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Natural Monument in South Korea

Hipparchia autonoe, designated Natural Monument no. 458, is a species inhabiting Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, which is the only habitat of H. autonoe in South Korea. Recently, this species is in danger of extinction as the population has been remarkably reduced because its host plants and nectar plants are gradually disappearing due to plant succession in its habitat. On the climbing road of Jeju Island Eorimok, H. autonoe used to be observed at and above 1300 m a.s.l. However, since Sasa quelpaertensis has recently expanded its habitat up to 1400 m, H. autonoe is now observed at and above 1500 m. In Mongolia, the population of H. autonoe seems quite stable as there are dense populations of a host plant and nectar plants. Accordingly it is judged that we can maintain a stable community for support of H. autonoe if we successfully manage the host plant and nectar plant communities by controlling the density of S. quelpaertensis using biological and physical control methods. Comparative analysis of DNA barcode region of COI (658 bp) was done to check the homogeneity and the genetic diversity of H. autonoe collected in Korea and Mongolia. The DNA sequence difference among individuals collected in South Korea was 0.0–0.2%, and in Mongolia 0.0–1.4%. This confirmed a 0.06–1.2% barcoding gap. We believe that this result will provide basic information useful to guide conservation of H. autonoe in South Korea.     

A preliminary analysis of the diet composition of overwintering Bean geese (Anser fabalis) and greater white-fronted geese (A. albifrons) in Korea using PCR on fecal samples

Bean geese (Anser fabalis) and Greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) are the dominant wintering waterfowl in South Korea. Although they are commonly observed in estuaries and rice fields during the winter, the diet composition of the geese during the winter has rarely been studied. In this study, we provide the results from preliminary analyses on the diet of these two geese species overwintering in Daebu Island of South Korea. We used a total of 13 fecal samples from Bean geese (n?=?4) and Greater white-fronted geese (n?=?9), and performed a BLAST search for the sequences obtained from 87 clones (n?=?36 for Bean geese and n?=?51 for Greater white-fronted geese). The diet of Bean geese consisted of five families of plants: Caryophyllaceae (75.0%), Poaceae (13.9%), Asteraceae (5.5%), Polygonaceae (2.8%) and Cucurbitacea (2.8%). On the other hand, the diet of Greater white-fronted geese consisted of 6 families of plants: Poaceae (74.5%), Caryophyllaceae (9.8%), Solanacea (5.9%), Portulacaceae (3.9%), Lamiaceae (3.9%) and Brassicaceae (2.0%). We found that plants of the rice family (Poaceae) are important in the diet of wintering geese, especially for Greater white-fronted geese. This knowledge can be used to establish conservation strategies of the geese overwintering in South Korea.     

First record of the genus Codrus Panzer (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupidae) from South Korea with description of a new species

The genus Codrus Panzer, 1803 is recorded for the first time from South Korea. A new species and three newly recorded species are described: C. tripotini Lee and Park sp. nov., C. ciliatus Townes, 1981, C. nebriae (Watanabe, 1954) and C. niger Panzer, 1803. Additionally, C. ciliatus Townes is newly added to Chinese fauna. A key to the South Korean Codrus, diagnostic characteristics and photographs are provided.