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.

Biodiversity encompasses species diversity, which includes species richness and species evenness. High species diversity is known to contribute to community stability and the potential for maintaining healthy ecosystem functioning. However, the most commonly used species diversity indices have some limitations, as they require species-specific abundance data for each community. In contrast, phylogenetic diversity measures the evolutionary distances between species within a community, reflecting ecological and/or evolutionary divergences and niche differences, without requiring abundance data. This study assessed biodiversity by calculating phylogenetic diversity indices for freshwater fishes (19 species) and aquatic insects (49 species) at three sites within Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks. The aquatic insects studied belong to the EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), which are widely used as bioindicators of aquatic ecosystems. Two mitochondrial DNA genes were used as molecular markers: COI and cyt b for fish, and COI and 16S rRNA for the EPT - group. Overall, Odaesan National Park exhibited higher phylogenetic diversity in both fishes and aquatic insects compared to Seoraksan National Park, although this difference was not statistically significant. The highest phylogenetic and species diversity were observed for fish at the OD2 site (Woljeong District) and for the EPT group at the OD1 (Gyebangsan) and SA2 (Jangsudae) sites. Correlation analysis revealed that phylogenetic diversity indices were more positively associated with species richness than species diversity indices. This study serves as a pilot project for establishing standardized methods for assessing biodiversity in national park habitats using phylogenetic diversity. It also aims to inform various policies, such as the development of biodiversity assessment systems and the prioritization of protected areas within national parks.

Morphological analyses of two newly recorded sea star species, Henricia exigua Hayashi, 1940 and Henricia tumida Verrill, 1909, of genus Henricia collected from Dongsan Harbor in the East Sea and Chuja-do, Jeju, Korea, respectively, were carried out. Henricia exigua could be characterized by an irregular arrangement of abactinal plates with adambulacral armature comprised of 10-13 spinelets. Henricia tumida has a short arm (R/r=4.0-4.2) with abactinal paxillae scattered and 4-8 abactinal spinelets with adambulacral spines having 4-6 spinelets. This study provides the first report of H. exigua and H. tumida in the Korean fauna along with detailed morphological description with their key characteristics.

This study reassessed two KBA sites in the Republic of Korea following the KBA guidelines. Both sites met the sub-criteria A1a, A1b, and D1a, confirming their status as KBA. These assessments provide a scientific foundation for discussions on designating new protected areas or expanding existing ones. Through this study, we confirmed that continuous biodiversity conservation is essential for Geum-gang river and estuary and Yubu-do to maintain their KBA status. This KBA reassessment provides an important scientific foundation for discussions on the designation of new protected areas or the expansion of existing ones. Furthermore, this study was based on a previously evaluated taxonomic group, birds, highlighting the need for future assessments to include other biological taxa and evaluation criteria, such as Criteria B or E, for a more comprehensive analysis.

This study aimed to collect foundational data essential for devising a natural environment conservation plan and implementing relevant policies. It underscores the significance of understanding the current state of the natural environment. Our research concentrated on surveying the biodiversity and distribution of key natural habitats within Busan Metropolitan City, with the goal of gathering crucial data to guide the development of conservation and management strategies. The focus of our investigation was on the insect populations in Ilgwang, covering two primary habitats: mountains and wetlands. The survey, conducted from July to September 2023, utilized various collection methods, including pitfall traps, fly traps, sweeping nets, and aspirators. Our findings documented the presence of 109 species across 88 genera, 50 families, and 9 orders. Specifically, the study identified two species from the order Odonata, two from Blattodea, one from Mantodea, six from Orthoptera, eleven from Hemiptera, twenty-nine from Coleoptera, twelve from Diptera, ten from Lepidoptera, and thirty-five from Hymenoptera. Through community analysis, biodiversity indices were calculated, revealing a Shannon-Wiener index (H') of 4.07 for mountain habitats and 3.92 for wetlands. The Margalef richness index (R) displayed values of 13.92 for mountains and 14.78 for wetlands, while the Pielou evenness index indicated values of 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. Among the identified species, one was classified as endangered, and thirteen were designated as of Least Concern, according to legal protection statuses.

Spiders play an important role in regulating insect pests in the agricultural ecosystem. The community structure and biodiversity of rice field spiders were surveyed in 5 areas (Anseong, Nonsan, Imsil, Namwon, and Gurye) from 20 May to 30 September, 2021. A total of 5,525 spiders collected were identified as 64 species of 17 families. Species richness and abundance were high in Lycosidae, Tetragnathidae and Linyphiidae. The similarity of rice field spider communities among regions was about 72% and was divided into three groups: the middle inland area, the southern mountainous area, and the southern inland area. Species diversity averaged as 2.55±0.06. On the seasonaliy of The boidiversity tended to increase toward the latter half of cultivation.

The study of blowfly (Diptera, Calliphoridae) biodiversity and distribution is crucial for forensic investigations involving cadavers. Abiotic and biotic factors, such as seasonality and habitat type, have significant impacts on blowfly populations. However, few forensic entomology studies have been conducted in South Korea, particularly the Gyeongsangnam-do region. To address this, in this study, an extensive year-long survey was conducted to analyze the compositions, habitat preferences, distribution, and seasonal abundance of forensically relevant blowflies in urban and forested habitats in Gyeongsangnam-do, utilizing mouse carcass-baited traps set for 48 h each month. A total of 3,478 adult blowflies were recorded, encompassing six genera and 14 species, with a noted absence of specimens during the winter months. The predominant species was Lucilia porphyrina, accounting for 37.1% of the total sample, followed by Chrysomya pinguis (27.5%), Lucilia sericata (7.6%), and Lucilia illustris (7.1%). The species composition was consistent across all surveyed regions; however, seasonal variation in species diversity was evident, with a peak in spring and decline in summer. Notably, certain species exhibited clear preferences for either urban (Calliphora calliphoroides and L. sericata) or forested habitats (L. porphyrina and Ch. pinguis). This pioneering study elucidates the diverse blowfly communities in Gyeongsangnam-do, highlighting significant seasonal and habitat-dependent variations.

Ecosystems provide various ecosystem services based on biodiversity. However, biodiversity is facing crises due to anthropogenic factors such as pollution, land use change, and climate change. Threats to biodiversity can significantly impact the provision and stability of ecosystem services, extending beyond simple species decline. To address threats to biodiversity, it is crucial to evaluate how anthropogenic factors affect not only biodiversity but also ecosystem services. This study aims to investigate the energy flux in a post-mining area based on the biodiversity of soil ecosystems and assess its suitability as an evaluation metric. It was observed that as the concentration of the primary pollutant, arsenic, increased, both the biomass of soil organisms and energy flux decreased. Furthermore, soil ecosystem multifunctionality may be negatively affected by pollution. These findings contribute to understanding the impact of pollution on soil ecosystem biodiversity and energy flux in post-mining areas and provide important information for more effective conservation and management of ecosystem services.

수서곤충은 일반적으로 하루살이목, 날도래목, 강도래목, 잠자리목, 노린재목, 딱정벌레목, 뱀잠자리목, 파리 목의 8개의 목(Order)에 속하며, 물을 기반으로 서식하는 곤충들을 의미한다. 국내 수서곤충의 연구는 도입기 (40-50년대), 형성기(60년대), 발전기(70-80년대), 도약기(90-2010년대)를 거쳐 왔다. 물을 기반으로 수질을 평가 하기 위해 수서곤충은 생태학적 연구가 먼저 시작되었으며, 이후 분류학적 연구가 시행되고 현재는 유전학적 및 응용학적 연구로 다양성을 증명하고 있다. 하지만, 물을 기반으로 하는 수서곤충의 서식처는 도시화로 인한 다양한 개발과 교란으로 감소하고 사라지고 있다. 서식처뿐만 아니라 수서곤충을 연구하는 학자들과 학생들도 정체기와 쇠퇴기를 거치고 있다. 국내 수서곤충의 다양성 종 목록은 1999년 처음으로 학술논단에서 491종이 정리되었으며, 이후 약 10년 만에 개정목록이 2011년에 988종으로 수정되었다. 이후 지속적인 국가생물다양성 확보 및 보전 전략에 따라 미발굴된 수서 파리류들이 대거 기록되면서 2018년에는 처음 기록보다 3배 이상 증가하 여 1,567종이 보고되었다. 이처럼 표면적으로는 수서곤충의 연구가 활성화되어 다양성은 늘어가고 있는 것처럼 보이지만 다양한 문제점들이 나타나고 있다. 수서곤충은 성충보다는 유충을 주로 연구하는 학문으로 많은 연구 자가 어려움을 겪고 있다. 단기간의 다양성 증진보다는 심도 있는 다양한 주제로 접근하는 방법이 필요할 것으로 보이며, 수서곤충의 다양성과 함께 서식처 회복 및 복원 방안도 함께 마련되어야 할 것으로 판단된다. 본 발표에서 는 국내 수서곤충의 다양한 연구주제와 피해 상황 및 활용방안을 소개하여 미래의 수서곤충의 방향성과 연구 방향을 심도 있게 논의하고자 한다.

The family Anamorphidae Strohecker is a beetle family that comprises about 170 species worldwide. This family was traditionally considered as a subfamily of the family Endomychidae Leach because of their similar appearance, but a phylogenetic study revealed it is a separate family. The adults of this family can be distinguished from endomychid species by possessing a tentorium with corpotentorium and separated anterior arms, mesocoxal cavities being broadly closed by meso- and metaventrites, and others. Although more than 20 species have been reported in East Asia, this family has never been reported in Korea. In this study, the family Anamorphidae Strohecker and its 5 species of 3 genera, Bystodes kidoi Sasaji, Bystodes sp.1, Bystodes sp.2, Dexialia hiranoi Narukawa, Idiophyes sp., are reported for the first time in Korea. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters of each species are provided.

The genus Trixagus Kugelann is one of the most diverse genera in the family Throscidae Laporte, which comprises about 80 species. Only a single species of this genus has been reported in Korea throughout the entire family. In this study, three additional species, Trixagus sp., Trixagus leseigneuri Muona, and Trixagus turgidus Hisamatsu are reported for the first time in Korea. Similar to that of the species illustrated in Kovalev, males of Trixagus leseigneuri Muona and Trixagus turgidus Hisamatsu possess sexual modification on mesotarsus. Trixagus sp. and Trixagus turgidus Hisamatsu exhibit characters that are unusual for this genus, including the unincised eye, a blade-like structure on the protibia, and others. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters of each species are provided.

Spelaeochthonius Morikawa, 1954, which comprises 11 species, is a genus in the family Pseudotyrannochthoniidae Beier, 1932. Members of this group can be represented by troglobitic characterisitics and narrow-range endemism. Three species are documented on the Korean Peninsula: Spelaeochthonius cheonsooi You, Yoo, Harms and Harvey, 2022; S. dentifer Morikawa, 1970; S. seungsookae You, Yoo, Harms & Harvey, 2022. In this study we utilize ten species, including three recorded Korean species, two Japanese species, and five new species, for molecular analysis. We employ four genes (COI, H3, 18S, 28S) commonly used in pseudoscorpions studies. This study aims to (i) identify the most specific gene for species identification in pseudoscorpions, (ii) demonstarate the narrow-range endemism of Spelaeochthonius, and (iii) explore the speciation pathway of this genus. Consequently, our understanding of biodiversity and necessity of species conservation.

Global warming and changes in ecosystems are either causing a rapid decline in insect diversity on earth or, on the other hand, are increasing the likelihood of unexpected insect pests emerging. This study summarizes and reports the followings: Introduction to the Insects of Red Data Book of Korea and Nationally Protected species, the establishment of monitoring strategy for exotic insects by the investigation of species distribution range through field surveys and others, the dispersal of exotic insects, and with the expansion of exotic insects and development of ecosystem impact prediction model.

Henricia specimens were collected using a dual approach of trimix scuba diving and fishing nets. This inclusive collection encompasses the discovery of two species highlighted in this study and introduces and provides comprehensive descriptions for Henricia kinkasana and Henricia longispina aleutica. The descriptions offered in this study were derived from the thorough examinations of external morphological characteristics. The documentation provides detailed insight into key traits related to the abactinal and actinal skeletons and spines of these newly recorded species in Korea. This comprehensive examination contributes to our understanding of the distinct morphological characteristics defining each species within the genus Henricia.

This study was conducted to select indicators for assessing national biodiversity. For this purpose, 140 biodiversity-related indicators were identified as a result of inventorying biodiversity-related indicators used in Korea and abroad, and when these indicators were applied to the pressure, status, and response indicator system, it was found that status indicators accounted for the largest number of indicators, with 29 pressure, 59 status, and 44 response. We also categorized the status indicators into genes, species, habitat, function, and quality, and found that species and habitat indicators accounted for the majority. Pressure indicators were categorized into direct exploitation, pollution, alien species, climate change, and habitat change. As a result, it was found that direct exploitation and pollution accounted for most of the pressure indicators. In addition, this study used internationally used indicator selection criteria to establish criteria for selecting domestic biodiversity assessment indicators. Using this list of indicators and indicator selection criteria, we evaluated the prioritization of domestically applicable biodiversity indicators through relevant expert consultations. 1) Vegetation class, 2) Land cover indicators, and 3) Change of protected area ranked highly. In fact, these indicators have been used in many studies due to the availability of assessable data. However, most of the highly scored indicators are based on ecosystem area, and further consideration of ecosystem functions and components (species) is needed.

Two newly recorded sea stars, Henricia densispina (Sladen, 1879) and H. reniossa asiatica Djakonov, 1958, collected from the East Sea of Korea using fishing nets, were described in this study. Morphologically, H. densispina is characterized by the shape (sub-triangular) similarity of the intermarginal plates to the superomarginal plates. Henricia reniossa asiatica Djakonov, 1958, has long and slender arms (R/r=7.2- 9.1); clustered abactinal paxillae with 3-13 abactinal spinelets; a denuded abactinal skeleton made up of crescentic, elongated cross-shaped, the presence of small ossicles that divided the papular areas; and an adambulacral armature comprised of 14-17 spinelets. This study provides the first occurrence of H. densispina and H. reniossa asiatica in the Korean fauna and a detailed morphological description of these species’ key characteristics is provided.

eDNA (environmental DNA)란 특정 환경에 서식하는 생물로부터 유래한 DNA를 의미한다. 환경 시료로부터 추출한 eDNA를 활용하면 해당 환경에 서식하는 생물들의 효율적이고 정확한 모 니터링을 수행할 수 있다. 해수 시료로부터 얻은 eDNA를 기반으로 해양생물 다양성 연구를 수행할 수 있다. 해수 시료를 채집하고 이로부터 eDNA를 추출한 뒤, metagenome 분석을 통 해 서식하는 해양생물의 종 동정과 다양성 분석이 가능하다. 본 리뷰에서는 이처럼 해수의 eDNA를 활용하여 해양 지역의 생물 다양성 연구를 수행하는 전체적인 과정을 제시하고 있다. 아직 국내에는 해양생물 다양성 연구를 위해 eDNA를 적용하는 방법이 보편화 되어있지 않으 며, 본 리뷰를 기반으로 이와 같은 eDNA 연구 방법을 정립하는데 도움을 줄 수 있을 것이다.