This study focuses on developing diagnostic compositions, kits, and information provision methods for identifying species-specific genes in domestically residing Reticulitermes speratus and Reticulitermes kanmonensis, as well as the recently introduced Cryptotermes domesticus. The core innovation of this invention lies in the utilization of species-specific genetic markers to facilitate rapid and accurate species identification using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-based diagnostic technique. This approach enables swift identification of termites at quarantine stages, contributing to efficient management of imported goods and minimizing ecological and economic damages caused by termites. Through genome analysis of termites, this research has identified candidate species-specific genetic markers, developed diagnostic compositions and kits based on these markers, and proposed a rapid diagnostic method capable of determining termite species within a day, optimally within three hours. This invention provides a groundbreaking tool for termite management and research, significantly contributing to pest control and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Spodoptera eridania and S. ornithogalli (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which are polyphagous pests that damage various crops such as tomatoes and beans are regulated quarantine species that are highly likely to invade South Korea. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly and accurately identify the presence of S. eridania and S. ornithogalli in crop fields to effectively eradicate as a regulated quarantine species. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which allows for rapid in-field identification. To develop the LAMP　assay, we selected target species-specific genomic regions from the whole-genome sequences of one target and 13 other lepidopteran species. We validated each five and six primer sets that consistently produced positive reactions in S. eridania and S. ornithogalli, respectively. To test the sensitivity of the each locus, LAMP reactions were performed using various reaction times using crude DNA, which was extracted from various types of adult tissues. All sensitivity tests were also successful.

Species distribution model (SDM) is used to preserve biodiversity and climate change impact. To evaluate biodiversity, various studies are being conducted to utilize and apply SDM. However, there is insufficient research to provide useful information by identifying the current status and recent trends of SDM research and discussing implications for future research. This study analyzed the trends and flow of academic papers, in the use of SDM, published in academic journals in South Korea and provides basic information that can be used for related research in the future. The current state and trends of SDM research were presented using philological methods and text-mining. The papers on SDM have been published 148 times between 1998 and 2023 with 115 (77.7%) papers published since 2015. MaxEnt model was the most widely used, and plant was the main target species. Most of the publications were related to species distribution and evaluation, and climate change. In text mining, the term ‘Climate change’ emerged as the most frequent keyword and most studies seem to consider biodiversity changes caused by climate change as a topic. In the future, the use of SDM requires several considerations such as selecting the models that are most suitable for various conditions, ensemble models, development of quantitative input variables, and improving the collection system of field survey data. Promoting these methods could help SDM serve as valuable scientific tools for addressing national policy issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change.

This study investigated species identification and labeling compliance of 48 shrimp products sold in the Korean online markets. Species identification was conducted using the standard DNA barcoding method, using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The obtained sequences were compared with those deposited in the NCBI GenBank and BOLD Systems databases. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis was performed to further verify the identified shrimp species. Consequently, 16 shrimp species were identified, including Penaeus vannamei, Pandalus borealis, Palaemon gravieri, Leptochela gracilis, Penaeus monodon, Pleoticus muelleri, Metapenaeopsis dalei, Euphausia pacifica, Lebbeus groenlandicus, Trachypenaeus curvirostris, Argis lar, Metanephrops thomsoni, Metapenaeopsis barbata, Alpheus japonicus, Penaeus chinensis, and Mierspenaeopsis hardwickii. The most prevalent species was Penaeus vannamei, found in 45.8% of the analyzed products. A significant mislabeling rate of 72.9% was found; however, upon excluding generic names such as shrimp, the mislabeling rate reduced to 10.4%. The mislabeling rate was higher in highly-processed products (89.3%) compared with that in minimally-processed products (50%). No correlation was found between the country of origin and mislabeling rate. The results of this study provide crucial data for future monitoring of shrimp products and improving the labeling of shrimp species in Korea.

In this study, based on an analysis of two DNA barcode markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b genes), we performed species identification and monitored labeling compliance for 50 commercial pufferfish products sold in on-line markets in Korea. Using these barcode sequences as a query for species identification and phylogenetic analysis, we screened the GenBank database. A total of seven pufferfish species (Takifugu chinensis, T. pseudommus, T. xanthopterus, T. alboplumbeus, T. porphyreus, T. vermicularis, and Lagocephalus cheesemanii) were identified and we detected 35 products (70%) that were non-compliant with the corresponding label information. Moreover, the labels on 12 commercial products contained only the general common name (i.e., pufferfish), although not the scientific or Korean names for the 21 edible pufferfish species. Furthermore, the proportion of mislabeled highly processed products (n = 9, 81.8%) was higher than that of simply processed products (n = 26, 66.7%). With respect to the country of origin, the percentage of mislabeled Chinese products (n = 8, 80%) was higher than that of Korean products (n = 26, 66.7%). In addition, the market and dialect names of different pufferfish species were labeled only as Jolbok or Milbok, whereas two non-edible pufferfish species (T. vermicularis and T. pseudommus) were used in six commercial pufferfish products described as JolboK and Gumbok on their labels, which could be attributable to the complex classification system used for pufferfish. These monitoring results highlight the necessity to develop genetic methods that can be used to identify the 21 edible pufferfish species, as well as the need for regulatory monitoring of commercial pufferfish products.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in crystalline polysaccharides including chitin and cellulose. The recent discovery of LPMO family proteins in many insect species suggests that they presumably play a role in chitin degradation in the cuticle/exoskeleton, tracheae and peritrophic matrix during insect development. Insect LPMOs belong to auxiliary activity family 15 (AA15/LPMO15) and have been classified into at least four groups based on phylogenetic analysis. In this study, we identified, characterized and investigated the physiological functions of group I LPMO15 (MaLPMO15-1 and PhLPMO15-1) in two longhorn beetle species, Monochamus alternatus and Psacothea hilaris. In both species, depletion of LPMO15-1 transcripts in last instar larvae by RNAi had no effect on subsequent larval-pupal molting and the resulting pupae developed normally. However, adverse effects on their development were observed during the pupal-adult molting period. The pharate adults were unable to shed their old pupal cuticle and died entrapped in their exuviae probably due to a failure of degradation of the chitin in their old cuticle, which is critical for completion of the insect molting and continuous growth.

The change in volatile compound composition of three wild chrysanthemum species (Chrysanthemum boreale, C. indicum, and C. indicum var. albescens) was identified and analyzed according to four flowering stages using HS-SPME-GC-MS (headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). The top five compounds of each flowering stage were selected because those main compounds accounted for 43.25%, 44.14%, and 54.20% of the total relative content of volatile compounds from C. boreale, C. indicum, and C. indicum var. albescens, respectively. Nine compounds (1S-α-pinene, α-thujone, chrysanthenone, umbellulone, thymol, caryophyllene, germacrene D, α-zingiberene, and α-patchoulene) in C. boreale were ranked in the top five compounds through the whole flowering stages. In C. indicum, camphene, eucalyptol, camphor, umbellulone, bornyl acetate, caryophyllene, β-farnesene, germacrene D, and α-zingiberene were ranked in the top five compounds. However, only five compounds (camphor, bornyl acetate, β-farnesene, germacrene D, and α-zingiberene) were ranked in C. indicum var. albescens showing a more stable composition rather than C. boreale and C. indicum. Flowerheads of three wild Chrysanthemums showed a different profile of volatile compounds according to different flowering stages, varying compositions, and relative content in the top five volatile compounds. This study illustrates how main volatile compounds in wild chrysanthemums change dynamically during the flowering regarding compositions and their relative contents, suggesting that it should provide a useful index for harvesting or blending certain target compounds from wild chrysanthemums.

깔따구 (Diptera: Chironomidae)는 저서성 대형무척추동 물로 환경 및 수질 변화에 민감한 영향을 받는 중요한 환경 지표생물이다. 이러한 깔따구 유충이 정수장에서 본 연구에서는 제주 정수처리장에서 발견된 깔따구 유충의 종을 분류하기 위해 형태 사진 및 COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) Primer로 증폭시킨 DNA의 염기서열을 계통수 분석을 통해 분석을 실시하였다. 정수장 내 수도꼭지와 소화관 등에서 채집된 17개체는 둥근깃깔따구 (O. tamarutilus) 14개체, 타마긴털깔따구 (P. tammaater) 3개체 총 2종으로 확인되었다. 각 깔따구 종의 형태적 특징은 두부, 하순기절, 대악, 안테나, 발톱의 형태적 특징의 분류기로 종 동정하였다. NCBI Genbank에 등록된 깔따구 19종 COI 염기서열을 기반으로 본 연구에서 조사된 17개체의 계통진화적 분석 결과 채집된 깔따구 COI 염기서열이 둥근깃깔따구 (O. tamarutilus)와 타 마긴털깔따구 (P. tammaater) 2종으로 각각 계통군 (clade)를 이루는 것이 확인되었다. 이러한 결과는 정수장 환경별 발견 되는 깔따구 유충의 다양성의 확인과 형태적-유전적 종 동정 분류정보를 바탕으로 수환경 관리 및 평가를 위한 기반 정보로 활용될 것이다.