본 연구에서는 한국에서 처음으로 기록되는 긴꼬리좀벌아속(신칭)의 2종, 사과혹긴꼬리좀벌(신칭)과 꽃봉오리혹긴꼬리좀벌(신칭)을 보고 한다. 이들 종은 각각 참나무속에 형성된 사과나무혹벌과 Andricus sp.의 충영에서 우화하였다. 본 논문에서는 한국산 긴꼬리좀벌아속의 2종에 대 한 진단 형질과 주요 형질의 사진을 제시하고, 아울러 한국산 종을 구분하기 위한 검색표와 종 목록을 제공한다.

한국 특산식물 조도만두나무에서 처음으로 Epicephala 나방의 수분 매개 활동이 확인되었다. 형태학적 및 DNA 바코드 분석 결과, 이 수분매 개자는 일본과 대만에서만 알려져 있던 Epicephala obovatella Kawakita and Kato, 2016 (조도만두가는나방, 신칭)으로 확인되었다. 본 연구는 이 종의 분포를 한국으로 확장시키며, 조도만두나무가 Glochidion–Epicephala 의무적 수분 상호작용에 참여함을 처음으로 입증한다. 이러한 결과는 분포가 제한된 특산식물의 보전 전략에서 기주식물과 수분매개자를 함께 고려해야 함을 시사한다.

This study aimed to elucidate the seed desiccation sensitivity and dormancy characteristics of two evergreen broadleaf tree species, Camphora officinarum Nees and Neolitsea sericea (Blume) Koidz., to provide baseline data for ex situ conservation strategies. Based on the probabilistic model of Daws et al. (2006), both species exhibited desiccation-sensitivity probabilities greater than 0.5 (C. officinarum = 0.706; N. sericea = 0.774), indicating a high likelihood of recalcitrant seed behavior. Imbibition tests revealed rapid water absorption within 24–72 hours in both species, confirming the absence of physical dormancy (PY). Furthermore, microscopic observations showed fully developed, non-endospermic embryos at dispersal, thereby ruling out morphological dormancy (MD). Following a 12-week cold stratification at 4℃, germination experiments were conducted under alternating temperature regimes (25/15℃ and 30/20℃) combined with GA3 treatments (0, 100, 500, 1000 ppm). Two-way ANOVA detected a significant Temperature × GA3 interaction for both species (p < 0.05). In C. officinarum, the highest final germination (46.3%) occurred at 25/15℃ with 500 ppm GA3, accompanied by reductions in mean germination time (MGT) and T50; these results suggest the alleviation of non-deep physiological dormancy (PD). Conversely, N. sericea showed overall low germination with a weak response to GA3, and partial germination occurred primarily at the higher temperature, implying a more complex, temperature-dependent PD. These findings provide a practical basis for optimizing ex situ conservation protocols for recalcitrant Lauraceae species.

Background: The preservation of boar semen is essential for optimizing artificial insemination outcomes and maintaining sperm functionality during liquid storage. Glucuronic acid (GA) is involved in cellular detoxification and homeostasis regulation and may relate to oxidative processes. However, its effect on boar semen preservation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GA addition on sperm viability, acrosome reaction, and intracellular ROS level during liquid storage in pigs. Methods: Boar semen was collected by the gloved-hand method and transported at 17℃. Samples were diluted with extenders containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mM GA and stored at 17℃ for 7 days. Sperm viability, acrosome reaction, and intracellular ROS levels were detected using SYBR-14/PI, FITC-PNA/PI, and DCFDA/PI double staining and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Sperm viability was higher in the 0.5 mM GA group than in the 0 mM group at 72 h, with no difference at 120 h and 168 h. Acrosome reaction showed no difference at 72 h and 120 h, but was lower in the 5.0 mM group than in the 0 mM group at 168 h. Intracellular ROS levels were similar among treatments at 72 h and 168 h, but were higher in the 5.0 mM group than in the 0 mM group at 120 h. Conclusions: GA supplementation showed concentration- and storage-dependent effects, with a transient viability increase at 0.5 mM (72 h) and a reduced proportion of acrosome-reacted sperm at 5.0 mM (168 h), while ROS was not decreased and was elevated at 5.0 mM at 120 h, suggesting the need for dose optimization.

본 연구를 통해 한국산 Daphnusa 호랑박각시속(신칭)를 처음으로 기록하였다. 한국 남부 섬인 완도로부터 Daphnusa sinocontinentalis (동방 호랑박각시, 신칭)분포가 확인되었으며, 분류학적 기재를 성충과 생식기 도해사진과 함께 제시하였다.

본 연구는 해안림 복원에 활용되는 자생식물인 돈나무 (Pittosporum tobira), 통보리사초(Carex kobomugi), 순비기 나무(Vitex rotundifolia)의 테트라졸륨(tetrazolium, TZ) 검정 조건을 규명하고자 하였다. 세 종의 종자 모두 절개하지 않은 상태에서는 활력이 관찰되지 않았으나, 절개 후에는 각각 96.7%, 57.5%, 60.7%의 활력이 관찰되어 절개가 필수적이었 다. 이는 과피 또는 종피가 TZ 용액의 침투를 물리･화학적으로 제한하기 때문이다. 돈나무는 25-35oC에서 24시간 처리만으 로도 높은 활력을 보였다. 통보리사초는 30-35oC, 24-48시간 처리에서 비교적 높은 활력을 보였으나, 처리 온도와 시간에 따른 활력 차이는 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 이는 종자의 작은 배 크기와 단단한 과포로 인해 TZ 용액의 침투가 제한되었 기 때문으로 판단된다. 또한, 7월 성숙기에 채종한 종자와 10월 탈리가 시작된 시기에 채종한 종자 간에 활력 차이가 관찰되어 활력 검정 시 종자의 성숙 단계를 고려할 필요가 있다. 순비기나 무는 25-30oC에서 48시간 처리 시 90%의 활력을 보였다. 결론 적으로, 종자의 구조와 성숙도를 반영한 종별 TZ 검정 조건을 설정하면 국내 자생식물 종자의 활력 평가 정확도를 높일 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

The Crassulaceae family displays extensive morphological diversity and complex evolutionary trajectories across its constituent genera. These attributes significantly challenge the reconstruction of intrafamilial phylogenetic relationships. While chloroplast and nuclear DNA markers are widely used for phylogenetic analyses, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) remains underutilized, despite its demonstrable potential as a taxonomic marker. Sequence variation in the mitochondrial nad7 intron was analyzed across six species representing two genera (Phedimus and Sedum) native to Korea. The objective was to assess genetic diversity and determine whether the nad7 intron could effectively augment existing chloroplast and nuclear DNA markers as a taxonomic tool. Target amplicon length spanned 974 to 998 base pairs (bp). Multiple sequence alignment of the six Crassulaceae species from Phedimus and Sedum identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), and dinucleotide polymorphisms, interspersed with conserved nad7 intron regions. Interestingly, an INDEL at positions 189–192 exhibited a diagnostic genus-level pattern, facilitating the unambiguous separation of Phedimus and Sedum. This outcome is consistent with established morphological and chloroplast DNA–based classifications. Collectively, these findings validate the mitochondrial nad7 intron as a promising supplementary molecular marker for taxonomic classification and genetic resource conservation within Crassulaceae.

Developing reliable models that capture the complexity of maternal– embryonic interactions and implantation is essential for deepening our understanding of early embryonic development as well as the underlying mechanisms of reproductive disorders. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture systems, however, fall short in accurately replicating the dynamic and multilayered in vivo microenvironment. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D) organoid technologies have recently emerged as a transformative approach, offering structurally and functionally relevant platforms that better reflect physiological conditions. This review highlights the latest strategies, innovations, and methodological advances in employing 3D organoids to model maternal–embryonic communication and implantation processes. It also outlines their growing potential in research applications and personalized medicine, particularly within the context of assisted reproductive technologies. Furthermore, the review discusses future directions for organoid-based studies from the endometrium, oviduct, ovary, testis, and epididymis have been established, their integration with gametes and embryos marks a new frontier. Cross-species work, especially your pioneering studies on endometrial organoids and lacunoids/cystoids, opens translational opportunities for understanding maternal–embryonic crosstalk, implantation biology, and fertility disorders. The review will discuss current advances, technical challenges, and future directions toward interconnected organoid systems (organoid-on-chip).

As urbanization progresses, many plant communities inhabit disturbed areas in urban areas as patches, and these plant communities, which have a high frequency of non-native plants, interact with and adapt to the urban environment. In this study, we investigated stomatal traits (stomatal density, size and index) of native and non-native non-woody plant species living in disturbed areas in urban areas (Jinju city in Korea). By doing so, we tried to understand patterns of variation of stomatal traits within plant community, and also, to find out why non-native plant species can successfully establish in the area. The result of the present study showed that stomatal density and index of non-native plant species were within the range of those of native plants, and the stomatal size was not different from those of native plants. These suggested that the empty space within ecological niche is not essential for the successful establishment of non-native plants. Stomatal density was correlated with the stomatal index. Among leaf functional traits, only leaf dry matter content (LDMC) was negatively correlated with stomatal size. All plants with kidney-shaped guard cells possessed amphistomatous leaves, and plants with dumbbell-shaped guard cells generally had smaller stomatal density than plants with kidney-shaped guard cells.

This study explored the population dynamics of the endangered perennial plant Pterygopleurum neurophyllum (Maxim.) Kitag through a multi-year winter deadbiomass removal approach. In 2022, a total population census was conducted at Wondong Wetland (Yangsan, Korea), where seven spatially independent patches were identified (P-1 to P-7). From 2023 to 2025, winter dead-biomass removal was implemented in two of these patches (P-1 and P-2), while the remaining patches served as controls. Annual population counts were monitored, and the effects of winter dead-biomass removal over time were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with a Poisson distribution. The interaction between management and year was highly significant (Wald χ 2=103.93, p<0.001), indicating differing temporal trajectories between the removal and control populations. No significant management effect was observed in 2023; however, the removal plots demonstrated a dramatic increase in 2024 (EMMs: Control=5.05 vs. Removal=92.77), which continued in 2025 (3.89 vs. 104.99). These findings indicate that winter dead-biomass removal significantly promotes the population expansion of P. neurophyllum, with ecological responses emerging cumulatively rather than immediately. This study provides empirical evidence that repeated winter dead-biomass removal, rather than a single-year disturbance, is crucial for the restoration and conservation of endangered wetland plant species.