During an investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in the Republic of Korea, 17 bacterial strains belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota and 4 strains belonging to the phylum Bacillota were isolated from freshwater environments. These isolated bacterial strains formed a robust phylogenetic clade with type strains of the closest related bacterial species, with 16S rRNA gene sequences sharing similarities of higher than 98.7%. To date, there have been no official report of these 21 isolates in the Republic of Korea. At the genus level, these unreported species were affiliated with Mucilaginibacter and Pedobacter of class Sphingobacteriia, Flavobacterium and Gillisia of class Flavobacteriia, Hymenobacter of class Cytophagia, and Paenibacillus and Planococcus of class Bacilli. These species were further examined by performing Gram staining, analyzing their colonies and cell morphologies, and determining their basic biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic positions. Detailed descriptions of the 21 previously unreported species are provided.

A new spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805, Pholcus osaek sp. nov., in the family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850, is described from Korea. This new species belongs to phungiformes-group in the genus. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the shape and structure of genital organs of both males and females. It is found on and between rock walls in mountainous mixed forests. Additionally, the taxonomic status of Pholcus uksuensis Kim & Ye, 2014 is revalidated, re-diagnosed, and redescribed based on specimens collected from the type locality. Considering differences mentioned in the diagnosis through revalidation, P. uksuensis is regarded as a distinct species. Therefore, it should be removed from the synonymy of P. woongil Huber, 2011.

Freshwater environments serve as crucial habitats for diverse microorganisms, playing essential roles alongside plants and animals within the ecosystem. Bacteria in these environments are particularly important for maintaining ecosystem functions. Among them, members of the phylum Pseudomonadota are known to be involved in processes such as nitrogen fixation, ammonia oxidation, and biofilm formation. Pseudomonadota comprises six classes: Acidithiobacillia, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Hydrogenophilia, and Zetaproteobacteria. This study reports 43 previously unrecorded species belonging to the phylum Pseudomonadota. They were isolated from various freshwater habitats in Republic of Korea. These strains were isolated and cultured using nine different standard media, with classification based on Gram staining, cell morphology, and biochemical characteristics. Species identity was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with a similarity threshold of 98.7% for designation as unreported species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these 43 strains were distributed across three classes, 13 orders, 28 families, and 39 genera. This research emphasizes microbial diversity in freshwater ecosystems and provides valuable insights into ecological roles and potential novel functions of unreported bacterial species in Korea.

As part of the 2024 research initiative, “Investigation and Discovery of Prokaryotes in Freshwater Systems,” samples were collected from diverse freshwater habitats, including both water and soil environments. Approximately 2,000 bacterial strains were isolated as single colonies and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Among these, 38 strains shared ≥98.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with those of known bacterial species not previously reported in Korea. These strains were thus categorized as newly recorded bacterial species in Korea. These 38 bacterial strains displayed significant phylogenetic diversities, spanning 2 phyla, 4 classes, 15 orders, 24 families, and 34 genera. These unrecorded species were classified into the following classes: Actinomycetia (with genera including Microcella, Conyzicola, Curtobacterium, Leucobacter, Microbacterium, Frigoribacterium, Lysinibacter, Streptomyces, Nonomuraea, Actinocorallia, Ruania, and Actinoplanes), Alphaproteobacteria (Paracoccus, Youngimonas, Loktanella, Corticibacterium, Neorhizobium, Onobrychidicola, Ferranicluibacter, Aureimonas, Asticcacaulis, and Novosphingobium), Betaproteobacteria (Rhodoferax, Rugamonas, and Cupriavidus), and Gammaproteobacteria (Rheinheimera, Shewanella, Kosakonia, Leclercia, Hafnia, Yersinia, Pseudomonas, Lysobacter, and Acinetobacter ). Further characterization included assessment of Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, biochemical properties, and phylogenetic relationships. This report presents detailed phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics of these bacterial species.

LIn this study, we investigated the habitat characteristics of a Jeonju Duckjin lake in Jeonju City, Jeonbuk, in which a large group of reeve’s turtle(Mauremys reevesii)(endangered species Class II and natural monument No. 453 in Korea) was discovered. The lake where reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii) was discovered, was beside Jeonbuk National university. That lake was surrounded by lotuses, dam, and reeds. We found 12 reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii)(included with 2 juveniles), 30 red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)(included with 4 juveniles), 22 river cooter(Pseudemys concinna)(included with 5 juveniles), and 6 Chinese stripe necked turtle(Mauremys sinensis)(included with 4 juveniles) from June to September, 2024, respectively. A number of red-eared sliders(Trachemys scripta elegans) which threaten the survival of reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii), were also found in and around the lake. Newborn turtles in this year were not observed. However, we estimated that natural breeding had sufficiently occurred since we observed many young turtles in the lake. Furthermore, the presence of young red-eared slider individuals can be a persistent problem for reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii) as they are competing species. In conclusion, in-situ conservation method should be considered for protecting the endangered turtle and their habitat.

This study investigated the occurrence and morphological characteristics of Polyphylla laticollis manchurica adults in the Miho River, Cheongju, from June to August 2024. Surveys were conducted at five sites along a 14 km stretch from upstream of Palgyeol Bridge to downstream of Oksan Bridge, including three sites along the main river and two sites in tributaries. No P. laticollis manchurica adults were found at the tributary sites. A total of 107 adults were recorded at site C and D, with peak occurrence observed between June 20 and August 4, 2024. The first occurrence date was recorded in June 20, the peak occurrence on July 5, and the last observation on August 4. The morphological measurements of the adults attracted by light trap were as follows: body length 33.38±1.68 mm; body width 16.02±1.00 mm; and body weight 1.45±0.32 g. The sex ratio (male : female) was 7.14 : 2.86. While no significant differences were observed in body length and width between males and females, females were significantly heavier during the third survey period. Most adults attracted to artificial light were males, and several dead individuals were found near streetlights and bridge. This study provides fundamental data on the occurrence period, habitat distribution, and phototactic behavior of P. l. manchurica, contributing to a better ecological understanding and conservation efforts for this endangered species.

본 연구에서는 국내에서 판매되는 24개 건어포 및 조미 건어포 제품의 종 판별 및 표시사항 준수 여부를 평가했 다. 이러한 수산가공품에 사용된 원재료의 종판별을 위해 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I 및 cytochrome b 유전자 의 염기서열을 분석하여 NCBI GenBank 및 BOLD 데이 터베이스에 등록되어 있는 생물종의 염기서열과 비교 후 계통 분석을 수행했다. 분석 결과 13개 종(Hyporhamphus quoyi, Gadus chalcogrammus, Lophius litulon, Conger myriaster, Paramonacanthus pusillus, Hyporhamphus sajori, Gadus macrocephalus, Hoplobrotula armata, Callionymus meridionalis, Liparis tanakae, Dosidicus gigas, Lagocephalus cheesemanii, and Takifugu vermicularis)이 확인되었다. 일반 명(장어, 오징어 등)을 포함할 경우 16개 제품(66.7%)에서 표시사항과 판별된 종 간에 불일치가 확인되었으며, 일반 명을 제외할 경우 불일치 비율은 41.7%로 감소했다. 식품 유형별로는 조미건어포 제품(n=20, 70%)에서 건어포 제품 (n=4, 50%) 보다 높은 비율의 불일치 비율이 관찰되었다. 원산지별 분석 결과 특정 국가와 불일치 비율과의 상관성 은 확인할 수 없었다. 이러한 연구 결과는 건포류 제품의 주기적 모니터링 수행 및 수산물의 국명 표시 선을 위한 기초자료로 쓰일 수 있을 것이다.

Two spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805, Pholcus muju sp. nov. and Pholcus yeongheung sp. nov. in the family Pholcidae C. L. Koch, 1850 are newly described from Korea. These two new species belonging to phungiformes-group in the genus can be distinguished from their congeners by the shape and structure of genital organs of both males and females. They are found on rock walls in mountainous mixed forests. This work provides diagnoses, detailed descriptions, and taxonomic photographs for these new species.

A study of intertidal habitats on Jejudo Island, Korea led to the identification of two new species, Desmoscolex (Desmoscolex) jejuensis sp. nov. and Desmoscolex (Desmoscolex) longispiculatus sp. nov., belonging to the subgenus Desmoscolex. Desmoscolex (D.) jejuensis sp. nov. is distinguished by the presence of 18 main rings, with males missing the 8th, 10th, and 14th subventral setae with the 2nd and 15th setae shifted laterally. In females, the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 14th subventral setae are absent. Conversely, D. (D.) longispiculatus sp. nov. exhibits 17 main rings with a typical somatic setae arrangement along with notably elongated spicules and the 14th and 15th subventral setae shifted laterally or slightly subdorsally. Both species are characterized by relatively long and slender cephalic setae. Detailed illustrations and high-magnification micrographs were produced using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to facilitate morphological comparisons between these new species and related taxa. Furthermore, a comparative trait table and a pictorial key are provided to clearly differentiate these new species from morphologically similar taxa. These findings contribute to the understanding of nematode biodiversity and contribute to the broader knowledge of Desmoscolex diversity in Korean coastal ecosystems.

This study describes two new species, Desmoscolex (Desmoscolex) delticeps sp. nov. and Desmoscolex (Desmoscolex) obtusiseta sp. nov. Belonging to the subgenus Desmoscolex, they were discovered in subtidal habitats along the coast of Korea. Detailed morphological analyses of the two new species were conducted using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). D. (D.) delticeps sp. nov. was collected from subtidal zones near Ulleungdo Island. It is characterized by a broadly triangular head with robust cephalic setae and centrally positioned oval amphidial fovea. Its somatic setae are arranged in 17 main rings. Its conical terminal ring ends in a long, uncovered spinneret. D. (D.) obtusiseta sp. nov. was collected from distant subtidal zones along the western coast. It is characterized by short, blunt cephalic setae situated on peduncles, a flattened anterior head, and an oval amphidial fovea with a central pore. Its somatic setae are arranged in 17 main rings. Its terminal ring tapers ventrally, ending in a short spinneret. This study highlights distinctive cephalic setae morphologies of these species, providing a deeper understanding of nematode diversity in Korean subtidal zones and contributing to the advancement of marine nematode taxonomy.

We report Ptycholaimellus ocellatus Huang and Wang, 2011, a free-living marine nematode of the family Chromadoridae Filipjev, 1917, as a newly recorded species in Korea. The specimen was collected from intertidal sediment habitats along the southern coast of Korea. Ptycholaimellus ocellatus is characterized by a distinct set of morphological features, including an abruptly tapered cervical region, the presence of ocelli, a transversely striated cuticle with lateral differentiation marked by two prominent longitudinal rows of dots, a large ampulla within a voluminous ventral gland, and two pharyngeal bulbs. This study provides the first taxonomic report of the genus Ptycholaimellus in Korean waters with differential interference contrast (DIC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs.

방아벌레과에 속하는 제주도청동방아벌레(신칭)을 신종으로 보고한다. 본 종은 제주도 고유종으로, 국내 근연종들과 구별이 쉽도록 종 검색 표와 진단형질을 제공한다.

두줄가슴무당벌레붙이속의 붉은두줄가슴무당벌레붙이와 좁은두줄가슴무당벌레붙이 두 종이 한국에서 처음으로 보고된다. 또한, 외부형태 및 생식기의 삽화, 진단특징, 분포도, 그리고 분류키를 제공한다.

Increasing resource use is the primary motivator for the development of technology industries, which is leading to severe consequences, such as the release and disposal of radioactive waste containing radionuclides in the environment. Cesium (137Cs) is one of the most hazardous radionuclides in the environment. In particular, the steel manufacturing process produces hazardous waste in the form of electric arc furnace dust contaminated with 137Cs. In this study, the tolerances of five legume species to different activity concentrations of 137Cs in both seed germination and initial seedling growth were compared. To determine 137Cs tolerance, several parameters related to the growth and development of legumes were measured. Among the five legumes studied, Crotalaria juncea L. was the most 137Cs tolerant at 50,000 Bq·L−1. Sesbania javanica Miq. and Vigna mungo L. Hepper were moderately tolerant to 30,000 Bq·L−1 137Cs. After 10 days, the stress tolerance indices in all legume species decreased by more than 50% at activity concentrations greater than or equal to 20,000 Bq·L−1 137Cs. This approach allows the selection of desirable traits, making more-effective application possible in the phytoremediation of 137Cs through stress tolerance. In conclusion, legumes are promising candidates for the phytoremediation of environmental pollutants.

기후변화로 인해 국내에서의 기온, 강수량, 호우일수가 증가 할 것으로 예측됨에 따라, 토양 답압과 높은 불투수면적 비율이 나타나는 도심지를 중심으로 정원과 공공녹지에 활용되는 식물 소재에 있어 내침수성이 중요한 특성으로 부각될 가능성이 높 다. 그러나 내침수성 식물소재에 대한 대다수의 문헌은 재배경 험이나 각 종의 서식지 환경에 기반하고 있는 경우가 많아 실험 적 검증이 필요하다. 따라서 본 연구는 토양수분함량이 높은 서식지에서 기원한 골등골나물(Eupatorium lindleyanum DC.), 새등골나물(E. fortunei Turcz.), 좀개미취(Aster maackii Regel) 3개 종과 중간인 서식지에서 기원한 까실쑥부쟁이 (A. ageratoides Turcz.) 1개 종의 침수조건에 대한 생육반응 비교로 서식지 환경이 내침수성 평가의 유효한 지표인지 알아보 고자 하였다. 실험대상 종을 6주간 무처리(대조구), 5일 침수처리, 7일 침수처리한 결과, 골등골나물과 새등골나물은 대조구와 처리구간 생육반응에서 유의한 차이가 관찰되지 않아 높은 수준 의 내침수성을 지니는 것으로 나타났다. 좀개미취는 생장반응이 처리구에서 대조구 대비 유의하게 감소하여 내침수성은 제한적 인 것으로 보였으나, 5일 침수처리구에서 광계 II의 최대양자효 율(Fv/Fm)이, 두 처리구 모두에서 지상부 대비 지하부의 비율 (R/S율)이 대조구와 유의한 차이를 보이지 않아 침수조건의 해 소 후 회복 가능성을 지니는 것으로 나타났다. 까실쑥부쟁이는 처리 4 주차에 모든 처리구에서 100%의 고사율을 보여 내침수 성을 갖추지 못한 것으로 판단되었다. 결론적으로, 서식지 환경 은 내침수성과 관련이 있다 할 수 있었으나, 내침수성의 정확한 평가를 위해서는 토양수분함량 외 다양한 환경요소들을 함께 고려해야할 필요성이 있을 것으로 보인다.

큰연영초는 백합과의 다년생 식물이며, 정원용으로 큰 관상적 잠재력을 가지고 있다. 그러나 한반도에서는 희귀식물(EN 범주) 로 알려져 있다. 자연 환경에서 종자 휴면 타파의 phenology를 조사하였다. 큰연영초는 초기 종자길이의 10% 미만인 미성숙배 를 가지고 있었다. 미성숙배는 2013년 7월 하순부터 2014년 6월 하순까지 거의 자라지 않았다. 그러나 2014년 7월 초순부 터 8월 중순까지 빠르게 신장하였다. 종자는 8월 1일부터 발아 하기 시작했고, 대부분의 종자는 2014년 8월 하순에 발아했다. 따라서 종자가 탈리 된 후 발아하는 데 약 1년이 걸렸다. 뿌리는 두 번째 가을 동안에 발달했고, 두 번째 겨울철 저온기간이 지난 후, 2015년 봄에 유묘가 출현하였다. 따라서 자연 환경에서 휴 면이 깨지고 유묘가 출현하는 데 약 2년이 걸렸다. 기내의 배양 온도, 저온 처리 및 GA3 처리 실험에서, 종자는 8주 동안 전혀 발아하지 않았다. 따라서 큰연영초의 종자는 유묘을 생산하기 위해 ‘저온(첫 번째 생리적 휴면을 타파) → 고온(미성숙배의 신 장 및 발아) → 저온(배축휴면을 타파)’의 순차적인 온도의 변화가 필요했다. 결과적으로 큰연영초 종자는 deep simple double morphophysiological dormancy (MPD)를 가지고 있다는 결론을 내릴 수 있다.

조팝나무속 식물은 장미과에 속하는 다년생 관목으로 우리나 라 전역에 자생하는 한국 고유 식물이다. 조팝나무속 식물은 관상적으로나 약용적인 가치가 있는 중요한 자원 식물 중에 하나라고 여겨진다. 본 연구에서는 조팝나무속 식물 중 조팝나무 (Spiraea prunifolia), 꼬리조팝나무(S. salicfolia), 당조팝나무 (S. chinensis)를 대상종으로 선정하여 종자의 휴면타파와 발아 특성을 구명하였다. 종자의 내･외부 형태는 종자의 길이와 배형 태를 관찰하였으며, 조팝나무, 꼬리조팝나무, 당조팝나무 종자 의 길이는 각각 약 2.21, 2.86, 2.01mm로 나타났다. 조팝나무 는 변온 조건에서 25/15, 20/10, 15/6, 5℃ 처리에서 각각 100, 100, 100, 58.2%로 5주 이내에 최대발아률까지 도달하였 으며, 저온층적처리에서도 경우 0, 4, 8, 12주에서 각각 100.0, 93.3, 90.2, 84.4%로 모든 층적처리에서 발아율이 높게 나타났 다. 저온층적처리와 GA3의 농도처리별 통계적인 차이가 나타나 지 않았다. 당조팝나무에서도 조팝나무와 동일한 양상으로 변온 조건에서 모든 처리에서 5주 이내에 최대발아률(100%)까지 도달 하였으며, 0, 4, 8, 12주에서 각각 100.0, 100.0, 90.6, 90.6% 로 모든 처리에서 발아율이 높게 나타났으며, GA3의 농도처리 별 통계적인 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 하지만 꼬리조팝나무는 5주째에 25/15, 20/10, 15/6℃ 각 온도 범위에서 14.0, 16.5, 5% 정도 발아하여 발아율이 매우 저조했다. 처리 후 20주 정도 되었을 때 상대적으로 온도가 낮은 15/6, 20/10℃ 처리구에서 50% 이상으로 발아율이 향상되었다. 그리고 GA처리를 통해 발아율이 향상되었다. 위 결과로 보았을 때 조팝나무속 2종의 식물과 다르게 꼬리조팝나무는 휴면이 있다고 판단되며, 종자 발아온도 조건의 범위가 상대적으로 좁다고 판단된다. 따라서 조팝나무속 식물 3종 중에 조팝나무와 당조팝나무는 휴면이 없 다고 판단되며, 꼬리조팝나무는 생리적 휴면으로 분류하였으며, 세부적으로 non-deep의 휴면 유형을 가졌다고 판단된다.

In this study, 41 individuals in 7 locations within CP, MG, UC, and DN map sheets were observed. The MG map sheet had the highest number (n=13) of individuals, while the CP-3 site on the CP map sheet had the lowest number (n=1) of individuals. Land use analysis indicated that the MG site with the highest number of individuals had a high percentage (70.56%) of forest land areas with a small percentage (12.63%) of farmland areas. The CP-3 site with the lowest number of individuals had a small percentage (26.47%) of farmland areas. It also had the highest percentage (32.13%) of residential and commercial areas, covering 19,616 m2. Measurement results of the physical habitat environment for B. karubei indicated a mean substrate of -2.1 (Φm), an average water depth of 63.0 cm, and a flow velocity of 0.2 m s-1. The association rule analysis for co-occurring species revealed that Semisulcospira coreana, Ecdyonurus kibunensis, and Goera japonica had the highest associations among lotic species, while Limnodrilus gotoi and Calopteryx japonica demonstrated the highest association among lentic species.

This study aimed to provide foundational data for the conservation and improvement of the habitat of an endangered species, Viola websteri, in South Korea, by identifying the environmental characteristics of its habitat and determining main environmental factors influencing its population size. To achieve this, this study conducted literature reviews, field surveys of study sites, and spatial analyses based on previous research results, collecting data for 32 environmental attributes related to V. websteri. These collected data were utilized for factor analysis and path analysis, leading to the identification of environmental factors affecting population size based on scientific analysis processes and results. Additionally, this study examined correlations between population size and environmental factors, focusing on aspects related to amount of light, organic matter, tree height, tree cover, shrub cover, and soil humidity, all of which were found to influence the population size of V. websteri. The population size showed a negative correlation with the amount of light. However, it showed positive correlations with organic matter, tree height, tree cover, shrub cover, and soil humidity. Furthermore, the path analysis model indicated a strong positive correlation between fruiting rate and individual height of V. websteri. Overall, these results suggest that high cover of tree and shrub layers can create an environment that suppresses the herbaceous layer, allowing adequate light penetration, sufficient soil humidity, and organic matter, which can promote both growth and fruiting rates of V. websteri.

This study analyzed the epilithic diatom community and ecological health of freshwater streams using environmental DNA (eDNA)-based metabarcoding technology. eDNA metabarcoding is a method that analyzes biological communities by performing PCR amplification followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS), offering higher sensitivity and faster results compared to traditional microscopic analyses. The study compared the eDNA metabarcoding results of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain gene (rbcL) targeting epilithic diatoms according to Taq polymerases (SuperFi II, GainBlue, EzPCR, and AccuPower). SuperFi II and GainBlue yielded the highest number of reads and zOTUs, with GainBlue showing particularly uniform read distribution, allowing for more accurate analysis for community diversity of epilithic diatoms. On the other hand, EzPCR and AccuPower exhibited lower number of reads and zOTUs, making them less suitable for the community diversity. In terms of community similarity analysis, SuperFi II and GainBlue produced highly similar results, while EzPCR and AccuPower showed significant differences. This study demonstrates that PCR Taq polymerases significantly influence community diversity and similarity analyses of epilithic diatoms, with GainBlue providing the most stable and accurate results. Our findings serve as a valuable foundation for improving the accuracy of eDNA-based metabarcoding analyses of diatoms.