The purpose of this study was to record for the first time in Korea the presence of Melanoides tuberculata (an invasive alien species), which was confirmed during the “National Survey on the Status of Alien Species” in Jukdang stream (also known as Guppy Stream, located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province), which is affected by the year-round discharge of heated effluent from a large semiconductor factory and where various tropical organisms, including ornamental fish, appear due to artificial release. A Total of 52 specimens were collected, and they can be visually distinguished from native melanian snails by their reddish-brown flames and spots. Genetic analysis further confirmed the species as Melanoides tuberculate. Melanoides tuberculata typically inhabits tropical climates, but its presence has been confirmed in altered aquatic environments such as Jukdang stream, where the water temperature remains warm even in a temperate climate. This indicates the need for further monitoring of domestic streams with similar conditions, particularly those receiving heated effluent, like Jukdang stream. Additionally, due to its strong reproductive capacity, including parthenogenesis, and its adaptability to various environments, there have been cases where the populations of Pomacea lineata and Aylacostoma tenuilabris have declined. This suggests that Melanoides tuberculata may have a competitive advantage in interspecific competition, potentially suppressing native species populations if it spreads within the domestic ecosystem. Melanoides tuberculata serves as an intermediate host for parasites that can cause diseases in both humans and animals, raising public health concerns in many countries. There is also a significant risk that it could be mistaken for native melanian snail species and consumed, which necessitates a high level of caution.

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

The invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is native to southcentral United States and northeastern Mexico. Recently, it has been being spreading in the wild in South Korea. However, its primary sources, introduction routes, establishment, and expansion in South Korea remain unclear. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity and population genetic structures of its domestic natural populations during early invasion, commercial stock from local aquaria (a suspected introduction source), and original United States population using mitochondrial COI gene sequences for 267 individuals and eight microsatellite markers for 158 individuals. Natural and commercial populations of P. clarkii showed reduced genetic diversity (e.g., haplotype diversity and allelic richness). The highest genetic diversity was observed in one original source population based on both genetic markers. Despite a large number of individuals in commercial aquaria, we detected remarkably low genetic diversity and only three haplotypes among 226 individuals, suggesting an inbred population likely originating from a small founder group. Additionally, the low genetic diversity in the natural population indicates a small effective population size during early establishment of P. clarkii in South Korea. Interestingly, genetic differentiation between natural populations and the United States population was lower than that between natural populations and aquarium populations. This suggests that various genetic types from the United States likely have entered different domestic aquariums, leading to distinct natural populations through separate pathways. Results of our study will provide an insight on the level of genetic divergence and population differentiation during the initial stage of invasion of non-indigenous species into new environments.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of natural degrading polymer film covering in rice paddies on the benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in Dangsu-dong, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do from May 2009 to September 2009. We compared 5 treatments: golden apple snail farming (GF), natural degrading polymer film + organic farming (NOF), natural degrading polymer film + chemical farming (NCF), conventional farming (CF)，and no fertilization (NF) as the control. The total number of species was highest in NOF followed by GF, NF, NCF, and CF. The total number of individuals was highest in NOF followed by NCF, CF, NF, and GF. The Dominance index (DI) ranged from 0.43 to 0.95. The highest dominance index was in GF followed by NCF, NF-CF, and NOF. The species diversity index (H") for each experimental plot ranged from 0.49 to 2.93. The average species diversity index was highest in NOF followed by NF, GF, CF，and NCF. After the natural degrading polymer film covered the paddies, the benthic macroinvertebrates tended to recover, but leeches and aquatic beetles increased, Mollusca and Annelida, which are sensitive taxa, decreased in both species and individual numbers after the soil was covered with the natural degrading polymer film. The number of species tended to recover. However, the number of individuals continued to decrease.d, especially individuals. Since then, the number of species tended to recover. However, the number of individuals decreased.