Solenopsis geminata has been found in South Korea, suggesting a risk of its invasion has been increased by rapid climate change. This situation requires species distribution modeling to predict possibility of Solenopsis geminata introduction, but information necessary for performing it is very limited. In this study, we developed a map for global distribution of Solenopsis geminata so that the map can be used for future species distribution modeling. Also, as the first step to assess Solenopsis geminata introduction, climatic similarity between its origin (Puerto Rico) and major cities in South Korea was compared. We used ArcMap (version 10.0) for creating the distribution map by obtaining current habitat from public database, and CLIMEX was used to compare climates based on CMI value. The result showed that climates were not similar as indicated by CMI less than 0.52, suggesting the risk of intial introduction is low under the current climatic condition. However, it should be noted that climatic similarity did not consider biological characteristics of Solenopsis geminata and climate change. Thus, the next study will be devoted to climatic suitability simultaneously considers meteorological data, distribution and biological information.

Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is a notorious pest which has caused damage of human life. Recent expansion of its habitat due to climate change has threatened where it cannot live before. South Korea has been exposed to its invasion, alerting early assessment of potential distribution of Solenopsis invicta. The objective is, hence, to predict potential distribution of Solenopsis invicta in South Korea based on climatic suitability. CLIMEX software was used for predicting Solenopsis invicta distribution in 2020 under RCP 8.5 climatic change scenario. Result showed that climates in coastal areas, Daegu, and Jeju island would be suitable for inhabitation of Solenopsis invicta. This results suggested that the risk of Solenopsis invicta invasion might be increased with the current climate change.

Climatic similarity between a native region and a target area is the first step to be considered for judging an invasive risk of alien species. In this study, we compared climate of the origin of Solenopsis invicta with that of South Korea. Match Climate application in CLIMEX software was used to simulate Composite Match Index (CMI) which quantitatively evaluated climatic similarity between two locations. We selected a native city (Cordoba in Argentina) of Solenopsis invicta and compared its climate with the current climate in South Korea. Result showed that climatic similarity is higher in Gyeongsangbuk-do area including Andong and Pohang, When only comparing climate during April to October, CMI was generally increased, but areas with the highest CMI was decreased.

Climatic factors are known to be the most critical on estimating potential distribution of species, suggesting that an area having similar climate to origin of a pest may be vulnerable to its invasion. In this study, we selected Leptoglossus occidentalis, a pest causing significant forest damage in South Korea, and compared current climate of its 3 known origins with that of 74 cities in South Korea by using ‘Match Climate’ function in CLIMEX software. Result showed that overall climatic similarity between them was moderately high, indicating consistency of climatic similarity with the current distribution of Leptoglossus occidentalis in South Korea.

Phthorimaea operculella is a pest causing serious damages in worldwide potato cultivation. As climatic factors are considered to be the most crucial on species’ distribution, we tried to compare climatic conditions between a native area of Phthorimaea operculella with cities in South Korea and other areas in Asia based on climatic similarity provided by 'Match Climates' function of CLIMEX software. Even though there is arguing regarding origin of Phthorimaea operculella, we selected Peru and Bolivia as home climate, and compared its climatic similarity to other areas in Asia with application of SRES A1B 2030 climate change scenario. Result showed that South Korea has favorable climatic condition for Phthorimaea operculella. Also, most of Asia except north China and south Russia showed the similar climate suitable for Phthorimaea operculella.

Transcellular transport in epithelial cell is a method for absorbing calcium from intestine to blood, providing effective mechanism of utilizing calcium at low calcium intake. In this study, we aimed at theoretically developing a simple mechanistic model explaining transcellular transport in calcium absorption process. Transcellular calcium transport was schematized into 3 steps which were entry, diffusion, and extrusion. Each step was separately modeled to include the specific feature of them. In detail, electro-diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and Michaelis-Menten kinetics were employed to model calcium entry, diffusion, and extrusion, respectively. Then, the developed models were numerically solved to find a solution which simultaneously satisfied 3 models under steady-state assumption. Result of model simulation was consistent with the known behavior of transcellular calcium absorption, showing that transcellular calcium transport became saturated with increase of luminal calcium concentration. Because transcellular calcium transport depends on calcium binding protein mediated by vitamin D we expect that this model can be used to find optimal regulatory point for increasing calcium absorption.

Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a notorious migratory pestand has caused significant damage in NortheastAsia including South Korea. For this reason, predicting occurrence time and distribution area considered to be an importantfor establishing early control plan. Because it cannot survive during the winter in South Korea and occurs seasonallydue to invasion from the southeast of China, general application of CLIMEX may not be adequate. Therefore, we appliedCLIMEX for analyzing seasonal occurrence M. separata of based on its growth index (GI) predicted in accordance withclimate. As a result, GI in southern region of South Korea began to occur at the earliest time and showed the highestvalue from the end of April to the beginning of September.