Jaeseok Choi

Alternative therapeutic advantages of catfish bile on atopic dermatitis: protection of T cell-mediated skin disease via antioxidant activities.

Objectives  In the present study, we aimed to examine the anti‐atopic properties of bile from the cat fish, Silurus asotus, to determine its possible use as a pharmaceutical product.

Genetic diversity and genetic structure of the endangered Manchurian trout, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, at its southern range margin: conservation implications for future restoration

The Manchurian trout, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis (family: Salmonidae), is a cold freshwater fish endemic to Northeast Asia. South Korean populations of this species, which comprise its southern range limit, have recently decreased markedly in size and are now becoming critically endangered. We assessed the current population status of this species in South Korea by estimating the levels of genetic diversity and genetic structure of five natural and four restored populations using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences and eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Levels of within-population genetic diversity were low, suggesting that past effective population sizes (Ne) have been small. Each population had one or a maximum of two mtDNA haplotypes. Microsatellite allelic richness (AR) was significantly higher for natural populations (mean AR = 3.51; 95% confidence interval, 3.00–4.03) than for restored populations (mean AR = 2.61; 2.38–2.98). South Korean populations were significantly genetically isolated from one another, with private mtDNA haplotypes and microsatellite alleles, suggesting that limited gene flow has been occurring among populations. A mtDNA phylogeny revealed that South Korean lineages were more closely related to those of China than to those of North Korea and Russia. Overall, we suggest that future restoration efforts aimed at South Korean populations should consider the genetic characteristics reported here, which should help to fulfil effective conservation strategies for this highly cherished species. Our results will inform other conservation efforts, including assisted migration of freshwater fish populations at the equatorial end of the geographical range limit of the species.

Recovery of Fish Community and Water Quality in Streams Where Fish Kills have Occurred

본 논문은 최근 몇 년 동안 어류폐사가 발생했던 하천인 월운천, 서천, 장남천 그리고 안양천을 대상으로 어종의 변동을 조사하였다. 어류폐사의 영향을 받은 지역에서 종수의 회복률은 22~86%까지 이르렀는데, 인공구조물과 수질에 의한 영향을 받았다. 장남천에서는 알칼리성 pH로 인해 어류폐사가 발생하였으나 다른 두 하천(월운천, 서천)에 비해 수질의 회복 이후 빠른 종수의 회복을 보였다. 또한, 안양천에서의 낮은 종수는 간헐적으로 발생하는 용존산소고갈로 인한 수질악화의 영향이 크다. 이와 더불어 하천에 설치되어 있는 인공구조물은 특히 저서성 어종의 회복에 부정적인 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 수질 또는 어류개체군의 이동이 회복될 때 어종의 빠른 회복이 예상되지만, 여전히 많은 하천에서 수질의 악화현상과 일부 노후화한 인공구조물의 존재는 어류의 서식환경을 악화시킬 수 있고 어류폐사 이후 하천에서 어종의 회복을 지연시키는 원인이 될 수 있다. 하천에서 어류군집의 보존을 위해서는 어류의 이동을 위한 통로와 유역으로부터의 오염원의 유입을 관리하여야 한다.

Oceanization of a Lagoon Through Analysis of Fish Community in the Lagoon Cheongcho, Korea.

Analysis of the fish community in the Lagoon Cheongcho, Korea, was investigated in 2008 and in 2012. A total 48 species, belonging to 26 falmilies, were sampled during the period. The dominant species was Tribolodon hakonensis (75.2%), and subdominant species were Acanthogobius flavimanus (5.4%), Pungitius kaibarae (3.1%). The results of the fish ecotypes according to origin of water body was compared by surveyed year, freshwater fish was reduced, whereas those of brackish water and seawater fishes were increased. Moreover, the result of similarity analysis based on species and individuals in five lagoons were divided into 2 major groups based on their similarity, and Lagoon Cheongcho was included group ‘A’ with Lagoon Gyeongpo, as having a montinous inflow of seawater. Hence, according to the characterization according to the analysis of fish community, Lagoon Cheongcho has lost the characteristics of a lagoon, and oceanization is considerably progressed. Therefore, we are considering the provision of a management strategy for hydrarch succession, as well as continuous research, in order to manage the recovery of essential characteristics of the lagoon ecosystem.Analysis of the fish community in the Lagoon Cheongcho, Korea, was investigated in 2008 and in 2012. A total 48 species, belonging to 26 falmilies, were sampled during the period. The dominant species was Tribolodon hakonensis (75.2%), and subdominant species were Acanthogobius flavimanus (5.4%), Pungitius kaibarae (3.1%). The results of the fish ecotypes according to origin of water body was compared by surveyed year, freshwater fish was reduced, whereas those of brackish water and seawater fishes were increased. Moreover, the result of similarity analysis based on species and individuals in five lagoons were divided into 2 major groups based on their similarity, and Lagoon Cheongcho was included group ‘A’ with Lagoon Gyeongpo, as having a montinous inflow of seawater. Hence, according to the characterization according to the analysis of fish community, Lagoon Cheongcho has lost the characteristics of a lagoon, and oceanization is considerably progressed. Therefore, we are considering the provision of a management strategy for hydrarch succession, as well as continuous research, in order to manage the recovery of essential characteristics of the lagoon ecosystem.

Habitat-specific variation in stable C and N isotope ratios of pond smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis)

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate differences in δ13C and δ15N of pond smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis) collected from three brackish lagoons, which have different characteristics, the principal one being the presence or absence of a weir located near the mouth of the outlet channel. The presence or absence of a weir is reflected in a difference in salinity among the study lakes. We found a general pattern of lower pond smelt δ13C values in Lake Mae with lower salinity and higher pond smelt δ13C values in Lake Hwajinpo and Lake Youngrang (lagoons with higher salinity). Pond smelt δ13C values showed little variation among the three lagoons related to pond smelt length, but likely reflected the availability of freshwater prey in Lake Mae. Among the lagoons, we found that pond smelt δ15N values were lower in Lake Hwajinpo compared with pond smelt δ15N values in Lake Youngrang and Lake Mae. This pattern likely shows a difference in anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading among the lagoons. The results of this study emphasize the utility of stable isotope measurements to better understand how structural characteristics of aquatic ecosystems (presence or absence of a weir) and anthropogenic disturbances can affect stable isotope patterns in aquatic food webs. This stable isotope approach may be a general technique for evaluating fish habitat and restoration or management of coastal lagoon ecosystems.