Diatoms are important primary producers in freshwater ecosystems, and their spatial distribution may be influenced by dispersal mediated by aquatic animals. Fish can potentially transport ingested diatoms if the cells retain their structural integrity during passage through the digestive tract. In this study, we investigated intestinal diatom assemblages and chloroplast preservation in three freshwater fish species, Pseudogobio esocinus, Zacco platypus, and Plecoglossus altivelis, collected from the same stream reach. Intestinal samples from three individuals of each fish species were pooled and analyzed using DNA metabarcoding and light microscopy. Diatom assemblage composition showed different patterns among the pooled samples of the three fish species. Microscopic observations revealed both empty frustules and chloroplast-containing cells, with Melosira varians retaining chloroplasts in all three fish species. These findings suggest that some ingested diatoms can retain cellular structures within fish intestines, supporting the possibility that fish may act as vectors for diatom transport. However, post-egestion viability and reproduction should be examined to determine whether such transport contributes to actual dispersal.

Abstract
서 론
재료 및 방 법
    1. 어류 채집 및 장내 시료 전처리
    2. 돌말류의 현미경 관찰 및 엽록체 보존 평가
    3. DNA metabarcoding 및 돌말류 조성 분석
결 과
    1. 장내 돌말류의 검출 및 조성
    2. 어류 종별 돌말류 조성
    3. 장내 돌말류의 엽록체 보존 양상
고 찰
적 요
REFERENCES
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

• 김건희(건국대학교 휴먼앤에코케어 센터) | Keonhee Kim (Human and Ecocare Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea)
• 김난영(건국대학교 휴먼앤에코케어 센터) | Nan-Young Kim (Human and Ecocare Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea)
• 황순진(건국대학교 휴먼앤에코케어 센터, 건국대학교 환경보건과학과) | Soon-Jin Hwang (Human and Ecocare Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea, Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author
• 장민호(국립공주대학교 생물교육학과) | Min-ho Jang (Department of Biology Education, Konju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author
• Misheel Bold(국립공주대학교 생물교육학과)
• 김준완(국립공주대학교 생물교육학과) | Junwan Kim (Department of Biology Education, Konju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea)
• 김규진(국립공주대학교 생물교육학과) | Kyujin Kim (Department of Biology Education, Konju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea)