Jae-Hwa Suh

Emergent effects of heavy metal pollution at a population level: Littorina brevicula a study case

Changes in genetic variability and allele frequency can be responses from natural populations when encountering a novel contaminated environment. The genetic diversity and population structuring of natural populations of the gastropod Littorina brevicula from heavy-metal polluted and unpolluted environments along the southeast coast of Korea were examined using two mtDNA markers, cyt b and ND6. This study applied a nested clade analysis to test the existence of structuring association of haplotype distribution with environments (polluted and unpolluted). No genetic differences within cyt b mtDNA were detected between environments. On the other hand, differences in population haplotype diversity and structuring were found within ND6 mtDNA between polluted and unpolluted environments. The ND6-mtDNA haplotype (=genetic) diversity was significant lower in polluted environments. This decreased genetic diversity along with differences in the haplotype distribution within heavy-metal polluted environments compared to those unpolluted ones stand out as emergent effects from pollution at a population level. In this study, we propose the use of different approaches, such as the NCA, that takes into account the rare haplotypes, when assessing the effects of pollution on population genetic structuring.

Prevalence of avian influenza virus in wild birds before and after the HPAI H5N8 outbreak in 2014 in South Korea.

Since 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus outbreaks have occurred five times in Korea, with four HPAI H5N1 outbreaks and one HPAI H5N8 outbreak. Migratory birds have been suggested to be the first source of HPAI in Korea. Here, we surveyed migratory wild birds for the presence of AI and compared regional AI prevalence in wild birds from September 2012 to April 2014 for birds having migratory pathways in South Korea. Finally, we investigated the prevalence of AI in migratory birds before and after HPAI H5N8 outbreaks. Overall, we captured 1617 migratory wild birds, while 18,817 feces samples and 74 dead birds were collected from major wild bird habitats. A total of 21 HPAI viruses were isolated from dead birds, and 86 low pathogenic AI (LPAI) viruses were isolated from captured birds and from feces samples. Spatiotemporal distribution analysis revealed that AI viruses were spread southward until December, but tended to shift north after January, consistent with the movement of migratory birds in South Korea. Furthermore, we found that LPAI virus prevalences within wild birds were notably higher in 2013–2014 than the previous prevalence during the northward migration season. The data from our study demonstrate the importance of the surveillance of AI in wild birds. Future studies including in-depth genetic analysis in combination with evaluation of the movement and ecology of migratory birds might help us to bridge the gaps in our knowledge and better explain, predict, and ultimately prevent future HPAI outbreaks.

Notes on a discrepancy in Mitochondrial DNA and Allozyme Differentiation in a Pond Frog Rana nigromaculata

Abstract Analyses of complete 1143-base pair sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene demonstrated a sister relationship between Japanese R. nigromaculata and Korean R. plancyi chosenica, but not with Korean R. nigromaculata, while the allozyme data strongly supported the monophyly of the Korean and Japanese populations of R. nigromaculata. We surmise this discordance to be the result of the inheritance of introduced mtDNA and the dilution of introduced nuclear DNA in mixed lineages after past hybridization and genome introgression between the two species, although the direction of introgression is unknown.

First detection of West Nile virus in domestic pigeon in Korea

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen that has spread throughout Europe and the United States. Recently, WNV spread to East and Southeast Asia, and great efforts have been made in South Korea to prevent the spread of WNV from neighboring countries. In this study, we diagnosed the first case of WNV in pigeons (Columba livia domestica) residing in cities using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed it with nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and sequencing. This is the first report to provide convincing evidence that WNV is present within South Korea.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from Wild Rodents and Insectivores in South Korea

In order to examine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in wild rodents and insectivores of South Korea and to assess their potential role as a source of human cryptosporidiosis, a total of 199 wild rodents and insectivore specimens were collected from 10 regions of South Korea and screened for Cryptosporidium infection over a period of 2 years (2012-2013). A nested-PCR amplification of Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene fragment revealed an overall prevalence of 34.2% (68/199). The sequence analysis of 18S rRNA gene locus of Cryptosporidium was performed from the fecal and cecum samples that tested positive by COWP amplification PCR. As a result, we identified 4 species/genotypes; chipmunk genotype I, cervine genotype I, C. muris, and a new genotype which is closely related to the bear genotype. The new genotype isolated from 12 Apodemus agrarius and 2 Apodemus chejuensis was not previously identified as known species or genotype, and therefore, it is supposed to be a novel genotype. In addition, the host spectrum of Cryptosporidium was extended to A. agrarius and Crosidura lasiura, which had not been reported before. In this study, we found that the Korean wild rodents and insectivores were infected with various Cryptosporidium spp. with large intra-genotypic variationa, indicating that they may function as potential reservoirs transmitting zoonotic Cryptosporidium to livestock and humans.

Genetic Diversity and Speciation of Rana rugosa (Amphibia; Ranidae)

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis for 29 populations (n=543) of the wrinkled frog, Rana rugosa, from Korea and Japan was performed to assess the degree of genic variation and genetic diversity, and to understand the biogeographic pattern of distribution and speciation. A sum of 22 presumptive loci was screened from 17 enzymes and general proteins. Four loci, Aco, Est‐3, Me‐2, and Pgm, demonstrated high levels of polymorphism. The degree of average genetic variation of R. rugosa was P=22.7% (9.1–40.9%), Ho=0.086 (0.048–0.165) and He=0.090 (0.042–0.168). In the south‐eastern region of the Korean peninsula (Chongsong, Yongchon, Ulsan, Kyongju, Pohang, Yongdok and Ulchin), a few unique alleles in the Mpi locus were detected and their biogeographic implications were considered. The degree of genetic differentiation among the Korean populations was moderate (S=0.900), whereas the degree of genetic diversity between Korean and Japanese populations was notably high (S=0.687, D=0.293). This result corresponds with the data obtained by the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence (Lee et al., 1999) suggesting that the Korean and Japanese R. rugosa might have evolved a specific level of genetic differentiation since their geographic isolation.

Molecular characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 viruses isolated from Baikal teals found dead during a 2014 outbreak in Korea

Nineteen highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 viruses were isolated from wild birds in the Donglim reservoir in Gochang, Jeonbuk province, Korea, which was first reported to be an outbreak site on January 17, 2014. Most genes from the nineteen viruses shared high nucleotide sequence identities (i.e., 99.7% to 100%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that these viruses were reassortants of the HPAI H5 subtype and the H4N2 strain and that their hemagglutinin clade was 2.3.4.4, which originated from Eastern China. The hemagglutinin protein contained Q222 and G224 at the receptor-binding site. Although the neuraminidase protein contained I314V and the matrix 2 protein contained an S31N substitution, other mutations resulting in oseltamivir and amantadine resistance were not detected. No substitutions associated with increased virulence and enhanced transmission in mammals were detected in the polymerase basic protein 2 (627E and 701D). Non-structural-1 was 237 amino acids long and had an ESEV motif with additional RGNKMAD amino acids in the C terminal region. These viruses caused deaths in the Baikal teal, which was unusual, and outbreaks occurred at the same time in both poultry and wild birds. These data are helpful for epidemiological understanding of HPAI and the design of prevention strategies.

Tracking Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) with GPS Satellite Transmitters Along Their Migration Route Through Northeast Asia.

SUMMARY. In this study, Global Positioning System satellite transmitters were attached to three mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) wintering in South Korea to track their migration routes, stopover sites, breeding sites, and migration patterns. We successfully tracked only one mallard (no. 108917) from November 15, 2011, to November 29, 2013, and determined separate migration routes in two cases of spring migration and one case of fall migration. The mallard repeatedly migrated to the same final destination, even though the travel path varied. We identified six stopover sites: Hunhe River, Liaohe River, Yinma River, Yalu River, Songjeon Bay, and Dahuofang Reservoir in China and South Korea. The wintering sites of two migration cases were discovered to be identical (Gokgyo River in Asan, South Korea). The terminal sites, which were presumed to be breeding grounds, were the same in both cases (Hinggan League in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China). On the basis of the migration routes identified in this study, we suggest that future efforts to control highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) should not only include avian influenza surveillance but also implement flyway-based strategies, with regard to all countries affected by potential HPAI outbreaks.

Movements and Home-range of Mallards by GPS-Mobile based Telementary (WT-200) in Korea 1a

청둥오리는 대표적인 한국내 월동 수조류로 넓은 농경지를 월동지로 이용한다. 한국의 중부지역에 위치한 만경강 하류지역에서 청둥오리 월동 행동권 및 월동지에서 이동거리를 파악하고자 하였다. 2011-2013년 월동기에 Cannon-net 을 이용하여 포획된 청둥오리 7개체에 GPS-이동통신 시스템을 기반으로 하는 야생동물위치추적장치(WT-200)를 부착 하였다. 청둥오리 행동권 분석은 GIS용 SHP 파일과 ArcGIS 9.0 Animal Movement Extension을 이용하였으며, 커널밀 도측정법(Kernel Density Estimation : KDE)과 최소볼록다각형법(Minimum Convex Polygon Method : MCP)을 이용 하여 분석하였다. 청둥오리 행동권은 최소볼록다각형법(MCP)에 의해서 118.8 km2(SD=70.1, n=7) 이었으며, 커널밀도 측정법(KDE)으로는 60.0km2(KDE 90%), 23.0km2(KDE 70%) and 11.6km2(KDE 50%)이었다. 야생동물위치추적장치 (WT-200) 부착지점으로부터 이동거리는 평균 19.4km이었으며, 최대이동거리는 33.2km, 최소이동거리는 9.4km이었다. GPS좌표가 획득된 정점간 거리는 평균 0.8km이었으며, 정점간 이동거리는 최소 6.5km에서 최대 19.7km이었다. 청둥오 리는 월동기 동안 매우 짧은 거리를 이동하였으며, 월동지에서 수계 의존성이 매우 높은 경향을 보였다.