Korean Species Research Articles

Chemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potential of Decursin: A Promising Natural Lead for New Drug Discovery and Development.

Decursin is a pyranocoumarin compounds which are rare secondary metabolic plant products, isolated from the roots of Angelica gigas (A. gigas). The native Korean species Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is widely used as a remedy for a variety of medical conditions including hematopoiesis, improving women's circulation, as sedatives, analgesics and tonic. It is unique because of the presence of substantial amounts of pyranocoumarins including decursin, decursinol, and decursinol angelate. In this review, we provide a comprehensive insight into the distribution, morphology, and chemical composition of A. gigas. A detailed discussion regarding the biological applications of decursin based on the literature retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 to the present has been discussed. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that decursin has potential neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic, anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-visceral properties. Mechanistic findings establish its significance in regulating important signalling pathways, triggering apoptosis, and preventing metastasis in different cancer types. The review additionally addressed the isolation methods, biosynthesis, physiochemical characteristics, toxicity and pharmacokinetic profile of decursin. The present state of clinical studies including A. gigas is investigated, emphasizing its advancements and possibilities in the field of translational medicine.

Taxonomic review of the genus Periphyllus (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Chaitophorinae) in South Korea, with description of a new species

A taxonomic review of the genus Periphyllus in South Korea is presented. This genus is represented by eight species in South Korea, including a new species, Periphyllus peninsulasp. n., collected from Acer pseudosieboldianum (Pax) Kom. Samples of aphids were collected from Acer spp. from several regions of South Korea, processed, preserved and studied using microscopic and photographic observations. Descriptions and illustrations of the eight species and a revised key for the identification of the new Korean species of Periphyllus are provided.

A New Record of Agaricus alboumbonatus (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) in Korea

In 2022, an investigation of indigenous fungi in western part of Dadohaehaesang National Park was conducted. All 319 collected specimens were identified at the species level based on their morphological characteristics and rDNA sequences. They taxonomically amounted 6 classes, 13 orders, 41 families 39 genera, and 145 species. Among them, an unrecorded Korean species belonging to the genus Agaricus was discovered. Combining morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences (LSU rDNA), we identified this species as Agaricus alboumbonatus. We also described in detail the macro- and micromorphological characteristics of the newly recorded species.

Two new recorded species of the genus Botanophila (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) from Korea with a key to the Korean species

Two new records of the genus Botanophila, B.dissecta (Meigen, 1826) and B. kitayamae (Suwa, 1974), were recorded in Korea for the first time. Their morphological information was provided with photographs, and a key to the Korean species of the genus Botanophila was presented.

Five new species of Bryaxis Kugelann (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae) from Korea and a nomenclatural note on Bryaxismahunkai Löbl.

The genus Bryaxis Kugelann (Goniaceritae: Bythinini) is the most species-rich genus of the subfamily Pselaphinae and is mainly distributed in the Palearctic region. Although previous studies have documented 14 species in the Korean Peninsula, the true diversity, ecology, and immature stages of the genus are still inadequately known. In this study, five new Korean species are described: B.grandinodussp. nov., B.uljinensissp. nov., B.fabaiformissp. nov., B.girinensissp. nov., and B.nemorosussp. nov. Illustrations of the habitus and other morphological details, and a distribution map are provided. In addition, Bryaxisleechanyoungi Nomura & Lee, 1993 is proposed as a new synonym of B.mahunkai Löbl, 1975 based on the original description and illustrations of diagnostic characters.

A taxonomic study on the genus Stichillus (Diptera: Phoridae) from South Korea, with a key to species from East Asia.

The South Korean species of the genus Stichillus Enderlein are reviewed and four species are newly recognized. One of them, S. koreanus sp. nov., is described as new to science and the other three species, viz. S. cylindratus Nakayama & Shima, S. japonicus (Matsumura) and S. spinosus Liu & Chou are new to South Korea. Detailed descriptions with photographs of four Korean Stichillus species, and a revised key to males of ten species from East Asia except Mongolia and North Korea are provided.

A new sawfly Cephalcia koreana (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), the pest of Manchurian fir Abies holophylla in Korea

The genus Cephalcia Panzer in the sawfly family of Pamphiliidae Cameron is widely distributed in the Holarctic. However, very little is known about the Korean species. Here, we describe Cephalcia koreana Park & Jung, sp. nov. in Korea. Its larvae seriously defoliated leaves of Abies holophylla plantations in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province during 2020–2022. It is newly recognized as an important forest insect pest. We provide taxonomic information including a new key for identifying and separating five Korean species and photographs of diagnostic characters with biological notes and genetic data of the new species.

Review of Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Korea

Korean Eucharitidae is reviewed with six species, including four newly recognized species: Gollumiella buffingtoni Heraty, 2004; Losbanus uichancoi Ishii, 1932; Saccharissa vicina (Masi, 1927); and Schizaspidia scutellaris Masi, 1927. In this study, diagnoses and diagnostic character images are provided along with a key to Korean species.

Molecular identification and morphological description of an unrecorded goby Bathygobius coalitus (Perciformes: Gobiidae), from Jeju-do, Korea

A single specimen of the whitespotted frillgoby, Bathygobius coalitus (Bennett, 1832), was collected from Jeju-do, Korea, in October 2020. The species is characterized by the absence of a flap on the nostril, the extension of the anterior tip of the predorsal scale beyond the posterior margin of the preopercle, and a pectoral fin with four upper rays free from membrane, each divided into two branches. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I analysis revealed that the specimen corresponds to B. coalitus (99.8% similarity) rather than any of the three previously known congeneric Korean species. The species is newly recorded in the Korean fish fauna, and the proposed Korean name for the species is “Heuin-jeom-mu-nui-mang-dug”.

Two new records of the genus Kamendaka (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) from Korea with a key to the Korean species

Two new records of the genus Kamendaka Distant, K. aculeata Yang & Wu and K. annulata Yang & Wu, are recorded from Korea for the first time. The morphological information, such as the diagnosis of male habitus and genitalia, is provided with photographs, and a key to the Korean species of the genus Kamendaka is presented.

Neo-octaploids of Asplenium prolongatum Hook. (Aspleniaceae) occurred in Korea

Asplenium L. is a sub-cosmopolitan genus of ferns comprising approximately 700 species. It includes various ploidy-leveled taxa, and, in particular, polyploid species occupy a higher proportion than diploid species within the genus. In addition, it is regarded as an essential process to confirm the cytotype of taxa because the ploidy level is sometimes used to identify a particular taxon in Asplenium. In the case of A. prolongatum, two cytotypes, tetraploid and hexaploid, have been reported in Japanese and Chinese populations. However, to date, there have been no attempts to confirm the ploidy of the Korean species. In the present study, we investigated the cytotype of Korean A. prolongatum using chromosome counting and genome size measurements, and we found that two cytotypes, hexaploid (2n = 6x = 216) and octaploid (2n = 8x = 288), were distributed in Jeju Island, Korea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a neo-cytotype of A. prolongatum. The hexaploids mostly had empty, shrunken sporangia, which is one of the traits observed in sterile hybrid ferns. From these results, it was concluded that A. prolongatum has three cytotypes: tetraploid, hexaploid, and octaploid.

Two New Species of the Family Acarosporaceae from South Korea

Acarosporaceae is a crustose lichen and is known as a species that has more than 50 multi-spores, and has hyaline spores. Those taxa are often found in rock and soil in mountain areas or coastal regions in Korea, and very diverse forms and species are known. However, after an overall genetic phylogenetic analysis of carbonized ascomata in 2015, species consisting only of the morphological base are newly divided, and several species of Acarosporaceae in Korea are also being discovered in this situation. As a result of analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuLSU gene analysis, Korean species belonged to Acarospora and Sarcogyne clade, and Acarospora classified as the Acarospora clade was mixed with the Polysporina group and the Sarcogyne clade is mixed with the Acarospora. We identified two new species (Acarospora beangnokdamensis J. S. Park & S. O. Oh, sp. nov., Sarcogyne jejuensis J. S. Park & S. O. Oh, sp. nov.) through morphological, molecular, and secondary metabolite substance and found one new record (Sarcogyne oceanica K. Knudsen & Kocourk). We have made a classification key for Acarospora and Sarcogyne in Korea and reported all information together here.

Taxonomy of the family Lonchopteridae (Diptera: Platypezoidea) from Korea

In this study, the family Lonchopteridae from Korea was reviewed with four newly recorded species, viz., Lonchoptera fallax Meijere, 1906; L. japonica Matsumura, 1915; L. nigrociliata Duda, 1927; and L. stackelbergi Czerny, 1934. Therefore, five species are listed in the Korean fauna. This study provides a key to the Korean species and their diagnoses.

A new species of Gaeolaelaps Evans and Till (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with an endemic bess beetle (Coleoptera: Passalidae) in the Republic of Korea

A new mite species, Gaeolaelaps leptaulax n. sp., collected on an endemic bess beetle, Leptaulax koreanus Nomura, Kon, Johki and Lee (Coleoptera: Passalidae), from Republic of Korea is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of female, male and protonymph specimens. In addition, an identification key to all known Korean species of the Gaeolaelaps is presented, and ambiguities on the identification of some previously recorded species of the genus are discussed.

A revision of the genus Episyron (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) in Korea

A revision of the genus Episyron Schiødte in Korea is presented. Three nominal species are included: Episyron arrogans (Smith), E. candiotum Whais, and E. rufipes (Linnaeus). Episyron rufipes is recorded for the first time in Korea. One of Korean species, Episyron capitosus , is a misidentification of E. arrogans . A determination key to species complemented with selective digital images is made.

A review of the genus Termioptycha Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Epipaschiinae) from Korea

The genus Termioptycha Meyrick, 1889, of Korea is reviewed, with five described species; among them, Termioptycha eucarta (Felder and Rogenhofer 1875) is recorded from Korea for the first time. A key to Korean species of the genus Termioptycha and illustrations of adults and genitalia are provided.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Fanniidae) from Korea

So far, six Fannia species have been discovered in Korea. During a taxonomic survey of this genus, the authors found two newly recorded species for the first time in Korea: F. barbata (Stein, 1892) and F. japonica Nishida, 1974. Diagnoses, illustrations, and keys to the Korean species are provided.

Phylogenetic revision of Echinolaophonte Nicholls (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Laophontidae T. Scott) including the establishment of two new genera and two new species

The record of a new species ofEchinolaophonteNicholls, 1941 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Laophontidae) from Jeju Island (Korea) formed the basis for a detailed and exhaustive phylogenetic revision of the genus. Comparison of all 15 species currently assigned toEchinolaophonte(including the new Korean species) revealed that its current composition cannot be maintained. The phylogenetic relationships withinEchinolaophontewere elucidated through the analysis of 135 morphological characters and the inclusion of four outgroups. As a result, four species were removed fromEchinolaophonteand placed in two new genera:Parechinolaophontegen. nov.forE. tropicaUmmerkutty, 1970 andPseudechinolaophontegen. nov.forE. minutaCottarelli & Forniz, 1991,E. mordoganensisKuru, Sönmez & Karaytug, 2019 andE. veniliaeCottarelli, Forniz & Bascherini, 1992.Echinolaophonte longantennataApostolov, 1990 had to be excluded from the analysis, due to the fragmentary and imprecise description. Accordingly, the phylogenetic relationships of the ten species remaining inEchinolaophonteare clarified. The new Korean species is described asEchinolaophonte musasp. nov.Furthermore, the subspecies E. armiger f. briani Lang, 1965 is elevated to species rank asE. brianiLang, 1965. A detailed phylogenetic discussion is provided and a key to the species ofEchinolaophonteis given.

Korean species of the genus Amischa Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), with a description of new species

A taxonomic study of the genus Amischa Thomson of Korea is presented. The genus is represented in Korea by three species, including A. koreana Lee & Ahn, sp. nov. Amischa analis (Gravenhorst) is reported for the first time in the Korean peninsula. A key to Korean species, descriptions, habitus photographs, and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.

Two New Phyllopodopsyllus Species (Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae) from Korea

Three species of the genus Phyllopodopsyllus T. Scott, 1906 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Tetragonicipitidae) were reported from the intertidal sand of Jeju Island and Busan in Korea, Phyllopdopsyllus kitazimai Karanovic, 2017, Phyllopodopsyllus saywakimi sp. nov. and Phyllopodopsyllus similis sp. nov. The latter two were described here. Phyllopodopsyllus saywakimi sp. nov. collected from only Udo, Jeju is similar to a Pacific species from Costa Rica, Phyllopodopsyllus ancylus Mielke, 1992. However, P. saywakimi sp. nov. differs from the Costa Rica species in the body size, the number of armatures on the antenna, the length ratio of endo- and exopod of the mandible, and the chaetotaxy of the fifth female pereiopod and the sixth male pereiopod. The second new species, P. similis sp. nov., found in Busan and several localities of Jeju, significantly resembles the species complex related to Phyllopodopsyllus aegypticus Nicholls, 1944, which is widely distributed in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. P. similis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the P. aegypticus complex by the body size, the shape of the rostrum, the type of armatures, the length ratio of rami and armatures, and the chaetotaxy of the female P5. In addition to the species descriptions, partial fragments of small and large subunit ribosomal RNA genes, cytochrome b, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I were provided. Using molecular markers, a phylogenetic analysis was also performed to estimate the relationships among the three Korean species of Phyllopodopsyllus for the first time.