Population structure of the Korean gizzard shad, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Konosirus punctatus</Emphasis> (Clupeiformes,Clupeidae) using multivariate morphometric analysis

The gizzard shad, Konosirus punctatus, is one of the most important fish species in Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan, and therefore the implementation of an appropriate population structure analysis is both necessary and fitting. In order to clarify the current distribution range for the two lineages of the Korean gizzard shad (Myoung and Kim 2014), we conducted a multivariate morphometric analysis by locality and lineage. We analyzed 17 morphometric and 5 meristic characters of 173 individuals, which were sampled from eight localities in the East Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Korean Strait. Unlike population genetics studies, the canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) results showed that the two morphotypes were clearly segregated by the center value “0” of CAN1, of which morphotype A occurred from the Yellow Sea to the western Korean Strait with negative values, and morphotype B occurred from the East Sea to the eastern Korean Strait with positive values even though there exists an admixture zone in the eastern Korean Strait. Further studies using more sensitive markers such as microsatellite DNA are required in order to define the true relationship between the two lineages.     

Molecular phylogeny of the families Pleuronectidae and Poecilopsettidae (PISCES,Pleuronectiformes) from Korea,with a Proposal for a new classification

A new classification of the Korean pleuronectids was proposed based on a molecular phylogeny using specimens collected from Korea (including some Japanese specimens) between 2008 and 2013. A molecular phylogeny based on partial sequences of the two mitochondrial DNA regions (COI and 16S rRNA) supported the reciprocal monophyly of the three genera, Cleisthenes, Pleuronectes and Pseudopleuronectes. We also found that the genus Poecilopsetta is clearly distinct from Pleuronectidae at the family level. Therefore, the previous classification of the Korean pleuronectids should be changed as follows; two families (Pleuronectidae and Poecilopsettidae), 18 genera, and 26 species. Further research is required to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty of the five species in the genus Limanda, which clustered into two clades in our analysis.     

Estimation of spawning area of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisodonophis sangjuensis</Emphasis> Ji and Kim, 2011 (Pisces: Ophichthidae) based on leptocephali size and distribution

Pre-metamorphic leptocephali of Pisodonophis sangjuensis (n = 91, 10.4?90.2 mm in total length, TL) were collected in the East China Sea for the first time. Pre-metamorphic leptocephali of P. sangjuensis, which were identified using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (mtDNA COI), are characterized by various combinations of morphological characters: 8 moderate to pronounced gut loops with the kidney terminating on the 6-7th loops; and 8 subcutaneous pigment patches on the tail just ventral to the notochord. Pisodonophis sangjuensis leptocephali were more numerously collected offshore than inshore around Jeju Island. The smallest leptocephali (< 15.0 mm TL) were collected from the south far from Jeju Island, and the largest leptocephali (> 100.0 mm TL) were collected from around Jeju Island and the southern coast of Korea. Our findings indicate that P. sangjuensis spawns offshore south of Jeju Island that is an area associated with high water temperature, and then the hatched leptocephali are transported to Jeju Island or the southern coast of Korea by the Tsushima Warm Current.     

Diversity and Assemblage Structure of Marine Fish Species Collected by Set Net in Korean Peninsula During 2009–2013

Ocean Science Journal - Assemblage structure analysis was conducted based on seasonal fish species composition data collected four times a year during 2009–2013 from 10 stations around Korea...     

Morphological characteristics and distribution of Pleuronectidae (Pisces) eggs in the western margin of the East Sea

Seven species of Pleuronectidae (Platichthys stellatus, Kareius bicoloratus, Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini, Microstomus achne, Glyptocephalus stelleri, Hippoglossoides dubius, and Limanda punctatissima) were identified based on eggs collected from the western margin of the East Sea (east coast of Korea), using DNA barcoding. The eggs of P. herzensteini and G. stelleri were relatively widely distributed along the east coast of Korea, whereas those of P. stellatus and K. bicoloratus were narrowly distributed; in particular, the eggs of P. stellatus were restricted to areas near bays. The eggs, which share common morphological characteristics (such as a homogeneous yolk and smooth membrane) were divided into three groups according to egg size: group A (more than 1.60 mm in egg diameter, including genera Hippoglossoides and Microstomus), group B (1.00–1.60 mm, including genera Kareius, Glyptocephalus, and Platichthys), and group C (less than 1.00 mm, including genera Limanda and Pseudopleuronectes). This paper provides an overview of the morphological characteristics of the eggs of the family Pleuronectidae collected from the east coast of Korea. Our approach to the analysis of eggs, based on DNA barcoding, morphological characteristics, and geographic distributions, provides a rapid and accurate basis for identifying spawning areas and spawning periods, thus facilitating the assessment and management of fisheries stocks and resources.     

Molecular and Morphometric Variations in the Sea Raven,Hemitripterus villosus from Korea,with its Implication on Fisheries Management

Ocean Science Journal - To understand and clarify the geographic variations of the Korean sea raven, Hemitripterus villosus, we investigated the molecular and morphometric characteristics of 147...     

Two new records of Valenciennea helsdingenii (Perciformes: Gobiidae) and Chromis margaritifer (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) from Jeju Island,Korea

Two specimens of Valenciennea helsdingenii and one specimen of Chromis margaritifer were collected on scuba in October 2011 from Jeju Island, Korea. V. helsdingenii is characterized by a body with two dark stripes that connect the head and caudal fin, and a large dark spot between the third and sixth dorsal fin spines. C. margaritifer is characterized by a body that is dark brown anteriorly but white posteriorly at the boundary between the fifth dorsal fin soft ray and the ninth anal fin soft ray. The Korean name ‘Bok-gi-mang-duk-sok’ is proposed for the genus Valenciennea, the name ‘Du-jul-bok-gi-mang-duk’ is proposed for the species V. helsdingenii, and the name ‘Huinggo-ri-ja-ri-dom’ is proposed for C. margaritifer.