New Records and Reference Collection of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea

Mosquito collections were carried out during 2003‐2004 on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Eighteen species of mosquitoes in 7 genera were collected, including three new records, Culex (Culex) mimeticus, Culex (Culiciomyia) sasai and Ochlerotatus (Finlaya) nipponicus. Based on the available information, a total of 28 species representing 7 genera have been recorded from Jeju Island. Larval habitat characteristics, collection sites, bionomics, and vector potential for each of these species are described.     

Study of the independent gametophytes found on Jeju Island in South Korea and the first record of the obligate independent gametophyte of Antrophyum obovatum Baker

Fern gametophytes have often been neglected in research; however, studies on gametophytes are crucial for a better understanding of the evolution of ferns. During their life cycle, some gametophytes produce large and long‐lived populations without producing sporophytes and reproduce independently through asexual means, such as through the formation of gemmae. In this study, we investigated independent gametophytes on the Jeju Island of Korea, which was located on the land bridge between East China and Japan during the glacial periods. Fourteen gametophyte populations were collected from seven sites, of which 13 populations were clearly identified as belonging to four fern species known to occur in Jeju Island with BLAST searches using rbcL and trnL‐F sequences. Surprisingly, the last remaining population constituted undescribed taxa in Korea. We presented the first report of the independent gametophytes of Antrophyum obovatum Baker which has not been previously recorded in Korea. It has been supposed that many ferns sought suitable habitat throughout the land bridge between China and Japan. However, Jeju Island might be unsuitable for vittarioid ferns that prefer a tropical or subtropical environment. Consequently, only two species of vittariod ferns (A. obovatum and Haplopteris flexuosa (Fée) E.H. Crane) in the form of a gametophyte and sporophyte, respectively, exist on Jeju Island. Therefore, this gametophyte population must be protected and managed from a conservation perspective. In the case of the independent gametophyte of Hymenophyllum wrightii Bosch, haplotype analysis was conducted based on the rbcL sequences and the result supported that the North American populations were migrated from Japan through land bridge during the glacial periods and Jeju populations were recently established by long‐distance dispersal of the Japanese populations.     

CLIMEX simulated predictions of the potential distribution of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) considering the northern boundary: With special emphasis on Jeju,Korea

The global climate change has led to the distribution of Bactrocera dorsalis from its origin in Southeast Asia to mainland China, which is situated at latitudes similar to Jeju Island, South Korea. In order to evaluate the establishment of B. dorsalis in Korea, it is necessary to determine the climate suitability. When the parameters of CLIMEX model were adjusted to include Wuhan region in China as the northern limit, the model outputs explained well the distribution and occurrence characteristics (namely the annual number of generations) of B. dorsalis in major distribution regions in the world. In IPCC/RCP 8.5 scenario, the establishment of B. dorsalis was suitable to a small part of Jeju Island in the 2010s. The range might gradually spread until the 2090s, with many parts of the lowlands of Jeju Island being marginal to optimal in suitability. The present CLIMEX model with parameters that adjusted to known northern limit will be useful for annual risk mapping to facilitate a monitoring system for early detection of a possible founder population of B. dorsalis in Jeju, South Korea.     

Population Genetic Structure of the Endangered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brasenia schreberi</Emphasis> in South Korea Based on Nuclear Ribosomal Spacer and Chloroplast DNA Sequences

Genetic variation of nuclear ribosomal ITS (nrITS) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions was investigated in Brasenia schreberi (Cabombaceae) to assess the population structure and to infer the evolutionary relationship among 12 populations distributed in South Korea. The combined sequence of the two regions was aligned to 2,069 bp, of which 28 sites were variable. In total, 20 genotypes were identified from 240 individuals of B. schreberi. Genotype diversity (Gd) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) on Jeju Island (Gd = 0.2511, Pi = 0.00012) were higher than those of the mainland of South Korea (Gd = 0.1358, Pi = 0.00005). The relatively low level of genetic variation of the mainland populations is associated with its higher genetic differentiation (G _ST = 0.095 on mainland and 0.039 on Jeju Island) and human activities. Minimum spanning network analysis demonstrated that the investigated populations of B. schreberi were subdivided into two geographical groups: the mainland of South Korea and Jeju Island. In addition, analysis of molecular variation showed that a large proportion (73.55%) of genetic differentiation existed between the two regions. These results strongly suggest the presence of significant barriers to gene flow between regions. Thus, the management unit for B. schreberi should be carefully designed to avoid the potential risk that can results from the admixture of individuals from the mainland and Jeju Island regions.     

Genetic relationships between Mt. Halla and Mongolian populations of Hipparchia autonoe (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Hipparchia autonoe belongs to the family Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera) and is designated as an endangered insect and national monument in Korea. It only inhabits a very restricted area on Mt. Halla but is widely distributed in several Asian countries including Mongolia. A previous study conducted to understand the genetic relationship between Mt. Halla and Mongolian H. autonoe for conservation purposes suffered from a limited number of samples. Therefore, we sequenced the DNA barcode region of an additional 36 H. autonoe individuals, combined them with previous data from 19 individuals, and performed phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. Furthermore, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region was also sequenced from the 36 samples as a nuclear DNA marker. The existence of independent haplotypes, sequence types, and significant F_ST estimates (P < 0.05) between Mt. Halla and Mongolian populations indicated hampered gene flow between the populations. Nevertheless, an absence of a reciprocal monophyletic group in Mt. Halla and Mongolian populations by cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene‐ and ITS2‐based phylogeny suggests that the genetic isolation of the Mt. Halla population from the Mongolian populations seemed not large enough to consider them independent genetic entities.     

Back from extinction: Rediscovery of the Canterbury knobbled weevil Hadramphus tuberculatus (Pascoe 1877) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with a review of its historical distribution

Abstract

The Canterbury knobbled weevil, Hadramphus tuberculatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytini), was once widespread in the Canterbury plains, foothills and fringing ranges, ranging from Oxford in the north to Waimate in the south. Habitat degradation, reduction in host plant numbers through grazing and predation by rodents are thought to be responsible for the decline in its numbers and distribution. In December 2004, more than 80 years since the last sighting of H. tuberculatus in 1922, a single individual was found at Burkes Pass Scenic Reserve. This paper records the rediscovery of H. tuberculatus, reviews the historical distribution records for H. tuberculatus, discusses them with respect to changes in host plant habitat in the eastern South Island, and suggests conservation strategies to protect this and other relictual populations that might be found in future.     

Conserving a wetland butterfly: quantifying early lifestage survival through seasonal flooding, adult nectar, and habitat preference

Conservation of once thought extinct populations of Lycaena xanthoides in western Oregon will require specific information of how the butterfly interacts with its now rare wetland habitat. Three experiments were conducted to yield information directly applicable to wetland restoration work: (1) to quantify the survival of L. xanthoides eggs laid on inundated plants, (2) to quantify adult nectar preferences, (3) to investigate the role of adult resources and how butterflies assess habitat quality. Survival of eggs laid on inundated plants was nearly seven times lower than the survival of eggs laid on uninundated plants, indicating that eggs laid on plants that are seasonally flooded are a population sink. Adult L. xanthoides preferred an endemic native nectar plant, Grindelia integrifolia × nana, as an adult resource and used it approximately 88% of the time while other butterfly species preferred to nectar on the non-native Mentha pulegium. Adult L. xanthoides had a significantly greater short-term recapture rate in two restored study sites that had a high relative amount of Grindelia integrifolia × nana compared to a degraded site that lacked the preferred nectar source. Based on the results from the three small experiments, restoration of wetlands for L. xanthoides should concentrate plantings of host plant in non-flooded areas and propagate conspicuous patches of the preferred nectar plant.     

Mitochondrial DNA data unveil highly divergent populations within the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hynobius</Emphasis> (Caudata: Hynobiidae) in South Korea

Korean salamanders of the genus Hynobius are currently classified into 3 species, H. leechii, H. quelpaertensis, and H. yangi. To investigate the phylogenetic relationship of these species, we analyzed the partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (907 bp) of 197 specimens from 43 regions in South Korea. Of these specimens, 93 were additionally examined with 12S rRNA (799 bp). Based on the partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 12S rRNA, 89 and 36 haplotypes were defined, respectively, consisting of six subclades (H. leechii, H. quelpaertensis, H. yangi, HC1, HC2, and HC3). Among these subclades, the three subclades (HC1, HC2, and HC3) were clearly separated from the 3 previously reported species in the genus Hynobius. Pairwise sequence divergence between the six subclades ranged from 6.3 to 11.2% in cytochrome b gene and 2.0 to 4.3% in 12S rRNA. These results indicate there may be more divergent populations than the three currently described. Moreover, the estimation of divergence time revealed that the Hynobius species in South Korea diverged during the Miocene epoch, approximately 9 — 5 MYA. In addition, we confirmed the distribution of the three known species (H. leechii, H. quelpaertensis, and H. yangi) and determined the distributions of new, distinct groups (or subclades; HC1, HC1, and HC3). To more accurately establish the taxonomic status and population structure, further genetic, morphological, and ecological studies will be needed.     

Cultivation of a brown alga, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Undariopsis peterseniana</Emphasis> (Kjellman) Miyabe and Okamura,as a warm-temperature species by artificial seed production in Korea

Undariopsis peterseniana is an endangered annual brown alga in Udo, Jeju Island, Korea. There is current interest in the commercial-scale aquaculture of this species for warm-water species development in Korea. Growth and maturation were investigated from January to December 2007 in their natural habitat. Zoospores were transplanted into an intensive seaweed culture ground in Wando, southern coast of Korea, for the mass cultivation of this species. Indoor and outdoor cultivation were conducted from June 2007 to May 2008. Mean production obtained from the zoospore seeding was 31.1 ± 1.5 kg wet wt. m⁻¹ of culture rope during the cultivation period in situ. Transplanted F₁ thalli in Wando had a length 1.7 times longer than their parents in Udo, and their maximal growth period changed from June (at 19.9°C in Udo of natural habitat) to April (at 14.0°C in Wando of culture ground). The relationship between optimal water depth for culture and underwater irradiance during the U. peterseniana cultivation was defined as: y = - 0.78 ×+ 7.67( r² = 0.92 ) y = - 0.78 \times + 7.67\left( {{r^2} = 0.92} \right) . This study indicates that U. peterseniana could be successfully transferred to the northern coast beyond the original habitat in Jeju Island.     

Mallomonas jejuensis sp. nov. (Synurophyceae) from Jeju Island,South Korea

A new species of Mallomonas (Synurophyceae), Mallomonas jejuensis sp. nov., has been found in Jeju Island, South Korea. This species is placed in the series Mangoferae (section Torquatae) because it has a collar of elongated domed scales, domeless body scales, rear scales with spines and all scales ornamented with papillae. The morphological characteristics of the scales and bristle of the new species are described by EM and compared with those reported for the other species of the series Mangoferae.     

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Siberian roe deer,Caproulus pygargus,in central and peripheral populations

Current understanding of phylogeographical structure and genetic diversity of Siberian roe deer remains limited mainly due to small sample size and/or low geographical coverage in previous studies. Published data suggest at least two phylogroups: western (Ural Mountains and Western Siberia) and eastern (east from lake Baikal, including the Korean peninsula), but their phylogenetic relationship remains unclear. Combined sequences of cytochrome b (1140 bp) and the mtDNA control region (963 bp) were analyzed from 219 Siberian roe deer from 12 locations in Russia, Mongolia, and South Korea, which cover a large part of its range, to assess genetic diversity and phylogeographical status. Special emphasis was placed on the demographic history and genetic features of central, peripheral, and isolated populations. Results of median‐joining network and phylogenetic tree analyses indicate that Siberian roe deer from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean are genetically diverse and that geographical distribution and composition of haplogroups coincide with previously described ranges of the subspecies Capreolus pygargus pygargus and Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus. We found that peripheral populations in the northwestern parts of the species range (Urals), as well as the isolated population from Jeju Island, are genetically distinct from those in the core part of the range, both in terms of genetic diversity and quantitative composition of haplogroups. We also found that northwestern (Urals) and northern (Yakutia) peripheral populations share the same haplogroup and fall into the same phylogenetic clade with the isolated population from Jeju Island. This finding sheds light on the taxonomic status of the Jeju Island population and leads to hypotheses about the discordance of morphological and genetic evolution in isolated populations and specific genetic features of peripheral populations.     

Movement of the Apollo butterfly Parnassius apollo related to host plant and nectar plant patches

1. The movement of adults of the endangered Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo, was studied using mark–recapture data, within a population consisting of discrete patches of the species’ host plant (n = 43), which were segregated spatially from patches of the species’ main nectar plants (n = 14). 2. The Apollo routinely moved large distances (median 260 m, maximum 1840 m), and moved frequently between the two types of patches. Only 27% (28/105) of the recaptures were made on the same host plant patch as the release. 3. The population acts as a patchy population where the adults mix over the whole area, but successful reproduction can only take place in the discrete host plant patches. 4. Occurrence on a host plant patch was restricted by the area size of the host plant patch and the spatial configuration of nectar plant patches. Thus, although the Apollo is a good flyer, its movement over the patches is still constrained by the segregation of adult and larval resources.     

Three New Records of the Genus Aphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Korea

Aphis fabae Scopoli 1763, A. hederae Kaltenbach 1843 and A. oenotherae Oestlund 1887 are recognized for the first time in Korea: A. fabae, nation-widely on various host plants; A. hederae on Hedera rhombea and Schefflera actinophylla in Jeju Island; A. oenotherae nation-widely on Oenothera odorata. They are redescribed, illustrated, and measured for the apterous and alate viviparous females.     

Habitat utilization of the Glanville fritillary butterfly in the Tianshan Mountains, China, and its implication for conservation

In 2004 and 2005, we investigated the distribution of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) and its host plant in the Tianshan Mountains of China, in order to clarify its habitat utilization. Female butterflies were almost captured on dry meadows on slopes, where plenty of host plant (Veronica spicata) is distributed. Although there are host plants on meadows at higher altitude (>2,050 m), no butterfly was found there. Among the meadows with host plants, a patch of dry meadow (newly-found meadow) was considered as a natal site because of the high density and freshness of butterflies. Unlike females, male butterflies were almost captured in valleys, where there are no host plants and fewer nectar plants. It might be related to specific mating system of M. cinxia in the study site, or specific environmental factors. Thus valleys are important habitat for males. Although the status of M. cinxia is yet unknown in China, we give some suggestions for conservation based on this study. First, dry meadows with host plants are the essential component for persistence of M. cinxia, among which the specific sites with more favourable conditions, such as natal site, are most important. Second, as a site with adult resource requirement, valleys should be included as part of the habitat of the butterfly. Finally, meadows at higher altitude are not utilized at present but they are potential habitats which need to be maintained for any shifts in altitudinal range in response to global warming in the future. Hence, the trade-off of present cost and future benefit should be taken into account when formulating a conservation strategy for M. cinxia in the Tianshan Mountains of China.     

First record of the host plant and larvae of Pachyrhynchus sonani (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Lanyu Island,Taiwan

Pachyrhynchus sonani Kôno, 1930, a legally protected species in Taiwan, is endemic to Lanyu Island (Orchid Island) and Ludao Island (Green Island). Because of its unclear life history, the host and immature stages of this species in the wild have not so far been recorded. On Lanyu Island, we recently identified Barringtonia asiatica as a host plant of P. sonani, with several larvae feeding on its xylem. Herein, we describe its biology and the habitat surrounding the host plant.     

Two new species ofIsoetes (Isoetaceae) from Jeju Island, South Korea

We name and describe two new species,Isoetes jejuensis and I.hallasanensis, from Jeju Island, South Korea. These taxa are compared with related species in East Asia, including I.coreana andI. sinensis. The rugulate megaspore ornamentation ofI. jejuensis differs from those otherIsoetes species. Furthermore,I. hallasanensis varies fromI. asiatica in its microspore ornamentation and chromosome number, although both species have an echinate megaspore ornamentation. These new species are tetraploid (2n = 44), whereasI. coreana is hexaploid (2n = 66).     

Marginal range expansion in a host-limited butterfly species Gonepteryx rhamni

1. The British distribution of the butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni (L.) follows closely the range of its natural host plants, Rhamnus catharticus L. and Frangula alnus Miller, suggesting that it is one of the few British butterflies that has a host‐limited distribution. In North Wales, this species has its range margin, and it was recorded only occasionally in a 35‐km² area prior to the 1980s. Frangula alnus bushes were planted in the area in about 1986, allowing the hypothesis that G. rhamni would expand its range following increased host plant availability to be tested. 2. From 1996 to 1998, the distribution of the butterfly and its host plants, R. catharticus (native), Rhamnus alaternus L. (introduced), and F. alnus (introduced to the area but native to Britain), was mapped in the study area. It was found that the butterfly was more widespread than any of its host plants. Frangula alnus was the most widespread of the host plants, and received most eggs, suggesting that the carrying capacity of the habitat would have increased substantially following the planting of this species. Gonepteryx rhamni was able to complete its lifecycle on both introduced species in the study area. 3. A mark–release–recapture study showed that adult G. rhamni moved an average of 512 m, and 50% of movements were further than 400 m; these values are underestimates. The relatively high mobility of this species suggests that it probably perceives host plants and nectar sources as resource patches (patchy population) in this fragmented landscape, and this population now represents a satellite population of the butterfly's main distribution in Britain. 4. The results presented here confirm empirically the host‐limited distribution of G. rhamni, which expanded following the planting of extra host plants.     

Local and landscape effects on butterfly density in northern Idaho grasslands and forests

Understanding butterfly response to landscape context can inform conservation management and planning. We tested whether local-scale resources (host and nectar plants, canopy cover) or landscape context, measured at two scales, better explained the densities of four butterfly species. The density of Coenonympha tullia, which has host plants strongly associated with grassland habitats, was positively correlated with the amount of grassland in 0.5- and 1-km radius landscapes and only occurred in forests when they bordered grasslands. For the other species, Celastrina ladon, Cupido amyntula, and Vanessa cardui, local-scale resources better explained butterfly densities, emphasizing the importance of local habitat quality for butterflies. These three species also used host plants that were distributed more heterogeneously within and among habitat types. Our findings demonstrate the importance of host plant spatial distributions when determining the scale at which butterfly density relates to resources, and we recommend that both these distributions and landscape context be evaluated when developing butterfly monitoring programs, managing for species of concern, or modeling potential habitat.     

Effects of local and landscape factors on the abundance of an endangered multivoltine butterfly at riverbanks

Plebejus argyrognomon is one of the grassland‐dwelling butterflies undergoing rapid decline in recent decades. Grassland habitats for butterflies are generally threatened by fragmentation and invasive species, hence are among the most vulnerable ecosystems. We studied the seasonal abundance of P. argyrognomon at habitat patches along the banks of the Kinugawa River in eastern Japan, to identify environmental factors suitable for population persistence of this species, including habitat patch connectivity. Results showed that the patch's host plant cover had a positive effect on abundance in all three seasons, while the shading of the host plants by surrounding non‐host plants and nearby forested area showed negative effects. Additionally, habitat patch connectivity and nectar richness could be considered as positive factors in autumn and summer, respectively. Analysis of habitat connectivity also showed that the Kinugawa River did not appear to act as a dispersal barrier for P. argyrognomon. Our findings emphasize the importance of understanding environmental factors that may vary among seasons, and such understanding could contribute to habitat management of multivoltine butterflies in fragmented landscapes.