Jong-Gill Kim

Mitochondrial DNA Sequence-Based Population Genetic Structure of the Firefly, Pyrocoelia rufa (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

The genetic divergence, population genetic structure, and possible speciation of the Korean firefly, Pyrocoelia rufa, were investigated on the midsouthern Korean mainland, coastal islets, a remote offshore island, Jedu-do, and Tsushima Island in Japan. Analysis of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial COI protein-coding gene revealed 20 mtDNA-sequence-based haplotypes with a maximum divergence of 5.5%. Phylogenetic analyses using PAUP, PHYLIP, and networks subdivided the P. rufa into two clades (termed clade A and B) and the minimum nucleotide divergence between them was 3.7%. Clade A occurred throughout the Korean mainland and the coastal islets and Tsushima Island in Japan, whereas clade B was exclusively found on Jeju-do Island. In the analysis of the population genetic structure, clade B formed an independent phylogeographic group, but clade A was further subdivided into three groups: two covering western and eastern parts of the Korean peninsula, respectively, and the other occupying one eastern coastal islet and Japanese Tsushima Island. Considering both phylogeny and population structure of P. rufa, the Jeju-do Island population is obviously differentiated from other P. rufa populations, but the Tsushima Island population was a subset of the Korean coastal islet, Geoje. We interpreted the isolation of the Jeju-do population and the grouping of Tsushima Island with Korean coastal islets in terms of Late Pleistocene–Holocene events. The eastern–western subdivision on the Korean mainland was interpreted partially by the presence of a large major mountain range, which bisects the midpart of the Korean peninsula into western and eastern parts.

Incidence of Wolbachia and Cardinium endosymbionts in the Osmia community in Korea.

Sex ratio distorting endosymbionts induce reproductive anomalies in their arthropod hosts. They have recently been paid much attention as firstly texts of evolution of host-symbiont relationships and secondly potential biological control agents to control arthropod pests. Among such organisms, Wolbachia and Cardinium bacteria are well characterized. This study aims at probing such bacteria in the Osmia community to evaluate their potential utilization to control arthropod pests. Among 17 PCR tested species, Osmia cornifrons and a parasitic fly are infected with Wolbachia and a mite species is infected with Cardinium. Phylogenetic tree analyses suggest that horizontal transfer of the bacteria occurred between phylogenetically distant hosts.

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) for clubroot resistance in Brassica rapa L.

Summary The genes related to clubroot resistance (CR) from a new genetic resource of European turnip (Brassica rapa ssp. rapifera) were identified, and their chromosomal locations were determined using quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. One hundred and ninety F2 plants derived from a cross between a clubroot-resistant inbred turnip line (IT033820) and a susceptible inbred Chinese cabbage (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis) line (BP079) were used to construct a genetic linkage map. The map contained 477 markers, including 401 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and 56 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, in ten linkage groups (LGs). It covered a total length of 1,149.1 cM, with an average interval of 2.53 cM between markers. The majority of individual F2 plants were found to be highly resistant to clubroot disease based on phenotypic evaluations following inoculation with race 4 of Plasmodiophora brassicae. Using composite interval mapping analysis, two major QTLs (Pb-Br3 and Pb-Br8) and one minor QTL associated with resistance to race 4 of P. brassicae were detected. Pb-Br3 and the minor QTL were located on LG3, while Pb-Br8 was on LG8. Most of the markers identified by bulk segregant analysis (BSA) were located in the region of the two major QTLs. Along with the markers developed in the present study, the Pb-Br3 region included the previously published markers HC352b-SCAR and TCR08, for the loci CRa and CRb, respectively. Five markers, including OPW06_297 identified by BSA, were located in the Pb-Br8 region, spanning 5.9 cM. The QTL Pb-Br8 differed from previously reported CR genes. The two major QTLs explained 85.4% of the total phenotypic variation. The QTLs Pb-Br3 and Pb-Br8 were marked by two convenient co-dominant sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR) and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers, CRW06_297 and CRU12_SspI, respectively. These markers will assist in future marker-assisted selection to accelerate the breeding of clubroot-resistant Brassica crops.

Evaluation of Farm Lands located in Urban Area and Industrial Complex using Insect Diversity Indices

To evaluate environment of farm lands using indicator insects and evaluation indices, the insect abundance of which is one of the major criteria for the evaluation of agricultural environment of farm land in urban areas and industrial complex, three sites (Ansan, Daesan, Suncheon) were designated and monitored from 2004 to 2006. The flora of agricultural land was more than urban areas and industrial complex of that in three sites. Soil, water and air pollution of urban areas and industrial complex were more serious than those of agricultural land in three sites. Overall population of insects were high from June to August in the surveyed three sites. Collected insects in agricultural land were 12 order, 106 family and 166 species, those in urban areas were 11 order, 102 family and 148 species, and in industrial complex were 11 order, 100 family and 152 species. Species and population belonging to Coleoptera was dominant in the surveyed sites. The insect diversity indices of farm land were 2.36 in agricultural land, 1.92 urban areas and industrial complex. And agricultural environment of agricultural land was good, urban areas was common and industrial complex was poor. Based on the major criteria of evaluation items, the criteria were selected as diversity index over 2.1, insect indicator Pheropsophus javanus in agricultural land, diversity index 1.5-2.0, insect indicator Nephotettix cincticeps in urban areas, diversity index below 1.5, insect indicator Pagria signata in industrial complex.

Structure of ribosomal RNA gene and phytogeny ofNosema isolates in Korea

The ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene region of the fourNosema sp. isolates (C01, C02, C03 and C04) fromPieris rapae in Korea has been examined. Complete DNA sequence data (3779 bp) of The rRNA gene ofNosema sp. C01 are presented for the small subunit gene (SSU rRNA: 1236 bp), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS: 37 bp), and the large subunit gene (LSU rRNA 2506 bp). The secondary structures ofNosema sp. COI SSU and LSU rRNA genes are constructed and described. The SSU rRNA showed a hypervariable V4 region identified four additional stems including a pseudoknot. Phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rRNA suggests that the four isolates belong to the ‘true’Nosema group. In contrast to theNosema/Vairimorpha clade, the members of the group are highly divergent.

A new canestriniid mite, Haitlingeria longilobata n. g., n. sp. (Acari: Astigmata: Canestriniidae), parasitising Serrognathus platymelus castauicolor Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) from South Korea.

Haitlingeria longilobata n. g., n. sp. (Acari: Astigmata: Canestriniidae) is described from Serrognathus platymelus castauicolor Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) from South Korea. Diagnostic features include: the presence of two long lobes on the male opisthosoma; the idiosoma length is similar to the idiosoma width; the hysterosoma is ornamented by distinct reticulate pattern; a suture is present separating the propodosoma from the hysterosoma; the adanal suckers are well developed on the male; there are four pairs of ultralong setae; and solenidion φ on tibia I is very long.

Survey on insect fauna and role of insect gardens for ecotourism.

This study was conducted to investigate insect fauna in the four insect garden sites of Suwon, Yeongyang, Buyeo and Yecheon from 2005 to 2007. Seasonal population size of insects was largest from June to August in all the four sites. In the four sites, Coleopteran insects were dominant followed by Hemiptera and Orthoptera. Unique education/learning programs are successfully run at the insect gardens based on the three geographic types (i.e. urban, mountainous and rural). These activities will help preserve insect biodiversity in the area and visitors better understand life forms such as insects found in the areas.