Marine microalgal biotoxins can accumulate in seafoods, posing significant risk to human health. These toxins include tetrodotoxin (TTX) and can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), and amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). With accelerating climate change, the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms capable of producing biotoxins have increased. In South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) regulates traditional toxins, including TTX and toxins causing PSP, DSP, and ASP. In contrast, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have established regulatory standards for a broader spectrum of marine biotoxins, including yessotoxins (YTXs), brevetoxins (BTXs), azaspiracids (AZAs), and ciguatoxins (CTXs), to ensure seafood safety. To effectively address this global concern, the MFDS launched an R&D project entitled "Establishment of the Safety Management System for Marine Biotoxins" (2020–2024). This project focused on enhancing analytical methods to detect unregulated toxins, assessing contamination levels, and developing rapid detection techniques. The project proposal emphasizes the need to establish a comprehensive monitoring system to mitigate future risks, particularly as climate change expands the range of toxic marine species. This project aims to advance our understanding of marine biotoxin contamination and strengthen seafood safety measures in South Korea by aligning them with international standards. This special issue compiles knowledge accumulated and technical advancements related to marine biotoxins, stemming from the outcomes of this project. It includes 12 papers describing analyses of various regulated and unregulated marine biotoxins, the current prevalence of seafood contamination, toxicity assessments, rapid analytical methods, and the state of safety management.

본 연구는 국내에 수입되는 다양한 종류의 패류를 대상 으로 미관리 독소인 AZA와 AZA유사체 4종에 대한 동시 검출법을 확립하였다. 2020-2023년 기간동안 수집된 수입 패류 467샘플을 대상으로 모니터링을 수행한 결과, 러시 아에서 수입된 돌조개 2점에서 AZA-2가 정량한계 이하로 검출된 것을 확인하였다. 이는 해외의 AZA관리 기준에 미치치 않는 미량의 독소로 인체에 위해도는 없는 것으로 판단되었다. 본 연구에서 개발된 시험법으로 수입산 패류 의 안전관리에 기여할 수 있을 것이다.

본 연구는 제주도 모슬포 해역에서 채집된 대형 포식성 복족류인 붉은입두꺼비고둥(Tutufa bufo) 두 개체를 대상 으로 테트로도톡신(TTX) 존재 여부를 조사하였다. 일본에 서 채집된 붉은입두꺼비고둥의 내장에서 TTX가 검출된 사례가 보고된 바 있으며, 최근 제주도 남부 해역에서 해 당 종이 혼획되고 있으나, 한국 해역에 분포하는 붉은입 두꺼비고둥의 TTX 축적에 대한 정보는 부족하다. 이에 본 연구에서는 경쟁적 효소면역분석법(cELISA) 을 사용하여 붉은입두꺼비고둥의 주요 연조직(전타액선, 구강부, 소화 선, 생식소, 아가미, 신장, 근육, 후타액선)을 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 모든 조직에서 TTX 농도는 검출 한계 미만으 로 나타났다. 그러나 TTX 축적에는 개체 간, 지역적, 계 절적 변동 가능성이 존재할 수 있으므로, 한국 해역에서 붉은입두꺼비고둥의 TTX 축적 위험을 정확하게 평가하기 위해서는 추가적인 시료 확보와 계절별 연구가 요구된다.

본 연구에서는 국내산 양식 자주복의 테트로도톡신 및 그 유사체를 UHPLC-QqQ MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 테 트로도톡신 분석법의 직선성과 일내 및 일간 정확도와 정 밀성, 검출 한계, 정량 한계를 구한 결과 CODEX 가이드라 인 기준에 적합하였다. 국내산 양식 자주복의 부위별 테트 로도톡신 함량을 분석한 결과 일부 시료의 간과 근육 부위 를 제외한 대부분의 시료에서 테트로도톡신이 검출되지 않 았으며, 검출된 시료도 간과 근육 부위에서는 각각 0.07 mg/ kg, 0.06 mg/kg의 낮은 농도로 테트로도톡신이 검출되었다. 테트로도톡신 유사체의 경우 국내산 양식 자주복에서 dideoxyTTX, trideoxyTTX, norTTX가 검출되었다. 이 중 dideoxyTTX는 국내산 양식 자주복의 모든 부위에서 주요 테트로도톡신 유사체로 확인되었다. 본 연구를 통해 국내산 양식 자주복의 테트로도톡신 및 그 유사체 분포를 이해 하는데 도움을 줄 수 있으며 국내 해양생물 독소 데이터베 이스 구축에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구에서는 국내산 검복의 테트로도톡신 및 그 유사체 를 UHPLC-QqQ MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 테트로도톡신 분석법의 직선성, 검출 한계, 정량 한계, 정확성 및 정밀성을 확인한 뒤 국내산 검복의 부위별 테트로도톡신 함량을 분석 한 결과 대부분의 시료에서 테트로도톡신이 검출되었으며 정 소를 제외한 모든 부위에서 테트로도톡신이 검출되었다. 검 복의 테트로도톡신 함량은 난소에서 0.27-67.7mg/kg으로 가 장 높았으며 껍질과 간에서도 가식 부위인 정소와 근육에 비 해 높은 농도의 테트로도톡신이 검출되었다. 테트로도톡신 유 사체의 경우, 국내산 검복에서 4,9-anhydroTTX, deoxyTTX, dideoxyTTX, trideoxyTTX, norTTX가 검출되었으며 이 중 trideoxyTTX는 국내산 검복의 모든 부위에서 주요 테트로도 톡신 유사체로 확인되었다. 본 연구를 통해 국내산 검복의 테 트로도톡신 및 그 유사체 함량 및 조성을 이해하고, 국내 해 양생물 독소 연구에 해당정보가 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

이 총설에서는 해양 연체동물 내 독소 분석을 하는 연구자들의 이해를 돕기 위하여, 국내에서 생산되거나 유통 되는 수산물 중 해양 생물독소에 오염될 수 있는 이매패류와 복족류 종들의 공식 명칭과 생태학적 특성을 소개하 였다. 또한 대표적인 생물군의 해부도를 통한 각 기관들의 위치와 공식적인 명칭을 알리고자 하였다. 향후 해양 생물독소 분석 관련 식품공전, 학술논문 및 보고서에 실험생물의 정확한 종명과 분석 기관의 명칭에 대한 통일 및 규격화가 필요하다.

테트로도톡신(Tetrodotoxin)은 나트륨 통로를 차단하는 신경독소로 가장 오래되고 강력한 해양독소 중 하나이다. 전통적으로 아시아에서 복어 섭취로 인한 테트로도톡신 중독사고가 많이 발생했었다. 최근 아열대 복어 종과 그 잡종 섭취로 인한 테트로도톡신 중독사고가 아시아 외 지역에서도 산발적으로 발생하고 있다. 그러나 복어 종별 테 트로도톡신 및 유사체의 함량과 기관 내 분포에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 이 총설에서는 식품공전 복어독(테 트로도톡신) 분석법인 쥐를 이용한 생물학적 정량법, 효소 면역측정법, 고압 액체 크로마토그래피-형광검출기, 가스 크로마토그래피-질량분석기를 이용한 분석법의 장단점을 비교하였다. 또한 최근 주로 사용되는 액체 크로마토그래피-질량분석기를 이용한 테트로도톡신과 테트로도톡신 유 사체 분석법을 소개하고 이에 사용된 전처리법, 컬럼 및 이동상을 비교하였다. 또한 복어 종별 테트로도톡신과 그 유사체 함량과 다양한 기관에서의 분포를 정리하였다. 이 총설은 테트로도톡신 분석법과 다양한 복어 종의 테트로 도톡신과 유사체 함량 및 기관에서의 분포를 이해하는데 도움을 줄 수 있을 것이다.

The ovarian development and oviposition response of two vector beetles of pine wood nematode, Monochamus alternatus and M. saltuarius, was investigated. The ovary structure of two beetles was investigated by means of light microscopy. The ovary of both beetles was composed of two ovaries that are connected by a common oviduct. Each of the two ovaries was consisted of twelve ovarioles, the functional units of female oogenesis. The ovary type was meroistic telotrophic with nurse cells and oocytes in the tropharium. Ovarian development of two vector beetles was completed at 12-14 days after maturation-feeding pine twigs. Aspect of accumulation of vitellogenins in the ovary of two vectors showed difference in developmental stages and major yolk proteins, differently from vitellogenin. To investigate oviposition performance of two vector beetles, we provided P. thunbergii and P. koraiensis bolts for egg laying and collected emerged adults from each pine bolts in the next year. M. saltuarius females made more oviposition wounds and entrance hole of larvae than M. alternatus on pine bolts. We also investigated whether two beetles can transmission of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and the European type of B. mucronatus via oviposition to noninfected dead pines. 48-83% from newly emerged adults of two beetles were carried two species nematode. This results suggested that two species beetles can transmit nematodes through oviposition performance and transmitted nematodes successfully propagate in non-infected dead pines.

An ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, is known as a major vector of Korean oak wilt disease (KOW) to Mongolian oak and it is considered as the one of the major threat to forest ecosystem health. This study was conducted to assess damage on Mongolian oak inflicted by the ambrosia beetle on the basis of entry hole density and location within the trunk. Two hundred forty Momgolian oak trees from Mt. Uam (Gyonggi-Do, Korea) and 60 from Mt. Gyebang (Gangwon-Do, Korea) were randomly selected. Initially, the damage degree on an individual tree and the diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured, and followed by the measurement of entry hole density per 148 X 210 mm2 on lower trunk (above the surface of the earth) and upper (100 cm above the surface) on each upslope and downslope. The damage degrees were divided into three classes: Ⅰ indicating healthy tree, Ⅱ tree damaged by the ambrosia beetles and Ⅲ dead tree by the KOW. As the damage class of the Mongolian oaks increased, the number of the entry holes increased regardless of locations of entry holes. The density of entry hole lower trunk was higher than that in upper trunk, showing that the ambrosia beetle preferred to attack the lower trunk on downslope. In addition, the results showed a tendency that the average DBH of the oak trees increased as the damage class increased from Ⅰ to Ⅲ. This suggests that the ambrosia beetle prefers to attack older trees. The entry hole densities on each lower and upper trunk on downslope were principal components to assess the damage degrees of the Mongolian oak.

To compare the diversity and abundance of moth fauna between the deciduous and coniferous forest, the light traps have been managed at six survey sites in Hongneung, Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) from May to October 2008. Diversity and equitability were estimated by Simpson's index. A total of 1,181 individuals were collected, comprising 678 individuals (18 families, 145 species) and 503 individuals (17 families, 121 species) in the deciduous forest and the coniferous forest, respectively. Noctuidae was the most dominant family, which consist of 42 species, 248 individuals in the deciduous forest and 38 species, 149 individuals in the coniferous forest. The most dominant species was Hydrillodes morosa (Noctuidae) with 95 individuals (deciduous forest), followed by a pyralid moth, Orthopygia glaucinalis and a tortricid moth, Gnorismoneura hoshinoi with 36 individuals (coniferous forest). Interestingly, Arctiidae and Drepanidae, which were collected only in the deciduous and Lecithoceridae were only in the coniferous forest.

Forest pests are one of the major disturbance factors in forest ecosystem and their outbreaks are expected to be severer under influence of climate changes. Among the forest pests, coleopterans can be key stone species because they are one of the dominant groups in forest and their ecological functions are very diverse. Moreover, saproxylic beetles contributed to ecological succession of forests thus, ecological functions of forests are changed in response to their outbreaks. The outbreaks of mountain pine beetle (MPB) were the most dramatic examples that outbreaks by climate change induce changes in ecological function of forest. Compositions of coleopteran species were variable to latitudinal changes whereas compositions of functional group were consistent. This showed that ecological function of coleopteran had resilience to climate changes and directions of changes in coleopteran communities were predictable based on species-specific latitudinal distribution. In addition, abundance of saproxylic beetles increased with increase in DBH (diameter at breast height), suggesting tree ages are one of the key factors for saproxylic beetles. Finally, potential changes in interactions between saproxylic beetles and trees under climate changes were discussed.

To monitor sequential changes in diversity and abundance of moth community in forest, moth samples were weekly collected by light traps at nine survey sites from 2001 in Korea. Among these, samples collected at Osan from 2001 to 2006 and belonged to Notodontidae and Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) were selected for analysis. Diversity and equitability were estimated by Simpson's index. A total number of Notodontidae collected during the period were 47 species and 970 individuals. In case of Sphingidae, 27 species and 346 individuals were collected during the period. In 2001 and 2004, more than 10 species belonged to Notodontidae were collected from June to August whereas less than 10 species were collected from June to August in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. In case of Sphingidae, more than 9 species were collected from June and August in 2001 and 2004 whereas less than 8 species were collected from June and August in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Interestingl y, total abundance of the two families had similar trends. The number of species was possibly related to the total abundance.

The first occurrence of oak wilt disease(OWD) in Korea was reported in 2004 and a Platypodid beetle, Platypus koryoensis, was known to contribute significantly the occurrence of the disease. To reduce the oak wilt disease, it is necessary to control density of P. koryoensis under injury level. This experiment conducted to clarify the flying period of adult P. koryoensis. Four forests containing dead trees by OWD were selected and the location of the experimental sites were Mt. Surak in Seoul, Goyang-si, Paju-si in Gyeonggi-do, Hongcheon-gun in Gangwon-do. Sticky trap or vertical multi-funnel trap was settled on Quercus mongolica trees located in infested forest. Density of P. koryoensis was survey with one or two week interval from May to October in 2007 and 2008. The number of the beetle collected by the vertical trap and sticky trap was positively correlated (r2=0.69). The optimum flying period of the beetle was ranged from late June to late July with geographical variations.