Amphibians are the world's most threatened group of animals, with approximately 41% facing extinction. Contrary to this global trend, the number of amphibian species in Korea has increased by approximately 53.3% over the past 20 years. In particular, salamanders within the genus Hynobius showed even greater diversity, with the number increasing three-fold from two species to seven. However, morphological and ecological traits required for the clear differentiation of these animals are yet to be determined, leading to much confusion. In this study, we investigated the validity of using size traits for species identification, as this method is currently considered a rule of thumb when differentiating Geoje salamanders (Hynobius geojeensis), cryptic Uiryeong salamanders (H. perplicatus), and Korean small salamanders (H. unisacculus). Our study revealed that sex, study period, and habitat were all factors associated with significant differences in snout-vent length, head width, and body weight. Differences in these size traits were evident both between and within species. Our results show that body size traits applied in the recent classification of the three new salamander species could not be seen as a suitable criterion. Such identification methods based solely on body size not only cause great confusion in the field but will also limit future research on Korean Hynobius salamanders.

본 연구의 목적은 국내산 남생이와 외래종 붉은귀거북의 행동권 및 서식지 이용 패턴을 확인하고 종간 상호 경쟁관계 를 분석하는 것이다. 본 연구는 2010년 8월 2일부터 2011년 1월 30일까지 경기도 과천시 청계산 계곡 상류지역에 위치한 정수역인 금붕어광장 연못에서 수행되었다. 서울동물원에서 인공증식한 남생이 3개체와 국내의 연못과 저수지 에 서식하고 있던 붉은귀거북 3개체를 포획하여 위치추적발신기를 부착한 후 방사하여 모니터링을 수행하였다. 방사된 개체들의 행동권과, 서식지 이용반경을 측정하였고, 금붕어광장 연못의 온·습도 및 수온, 지온 등 환경적인 변화를 측정하였다. 본 연구 결과는 남생이와 붉은귀거북은 제한된 일광욕 장소, 먹이자원 이용, 동면지 등 여러 측면에서 중복된 생태적 지위를 가지고 있어서 상호 경쟁이 큰 것으로 분석되었다. 비교적 몸집이 작은 남생이가 몸집이 큰 붉은귀거북에게 경쟁에서 밀려나는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 남생이가 서식하고 있는 원서식지에 붉은귀거북의 이입을 통한 종간, 개체간의 행동권과 먹이경쟁, 서식지 이용 등에 대한 연구가 추가적으로 필요할 것으로 사료되며, 추후 남생이 복원사업의 기초자료가 될 것이다.

To examine the potency of biosorbent, the adsorption capacity of Pseudomonas cepacia H42 isolated from fresh water plant root was compared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEY2102 on bases of biomass, concentration of heavy metal, presence of light metals, immobilized cell, and ion exchange resin. P. cepacia H42 biomass of 0.05-0.5 g/L increased adsorption and above 1.0 g/L of yeast biomass was the most effective in adsorption. By applying the same amount of biomass, lead showed the highest adsorption on two strains and the adsorption strength was lead>copper>cadmium on both strains. The high heavy metal concentration induced the high adsorption capacity. P. cepacia H42 adsorption was in the order of copper>lead>cadmium and lead>copper>cadmium by yeast in 10 mg/L. Both strain showed same adsorption strength in the order of lead>copper>cadmium in 100 mg/L and 1000 mg/L. The adsorption capacity of both yeast and P. cepacia H42 was decreased in the presence of light metals and the order of cadmium>copper>lead. Mg 2+ induced the least adsorption while Na + induced highest adsorption. The adsorption capacity of immobilized yeast and P. cepacia H42 was detected between 200-400 mL in flow volume and decreased in the presence of light metals. Ion exchange containing light metals caused 30-50% adsorption reduction on both strains.