This article documents the addition of 139 microsatellite marker loci and 90 pairs of singlenucleotide polymorphism sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Aglaoctenus lagotis, Costus pulverulentus, Costus scaber, Culex pipiens, Dascyllus marginatus, Lupinus nanus Benth, Phloeomyzus passerini, Podarcis muralis, Rhododendron rubropilosum Hayata var. taiwanalpinum and Zoarces viviparus. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum Hay. ssp. morii (Hay.) Yamazaki and R. pseudochrysanthum Hayata. This article also documents the addition of 48 sequencing primer pairs and 90 allele-specific primers for Engraulis encrasicolus. et al.

The Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, is a well known endangered species in South Korea that experienced rapid population decreases through poaching and industrialization until the 1980's. To evaluate the genetic diversity and the existing number of otters recently found in Daegu City, 81 fecal samples collected from the Gumho River and Shincheon stream were subjected to DNA extraction for sex determination and genetic analysis using nuclear genetic markers. Individual identification and relatedness between individuals were detemined by genotypic data using twelve microsatellite loci, and sex identification was also determined based on sequence variation of the zinc finger protein gene on sex chromosomes. Our results showed that at least seven otter individuals were identified and the kinship relationships of seven individual pairs were determined. It was concluded that otters distributed widely in Daegu City have moderate levels of genetic diversity, and close monitoring of the small-sized otter population is necessary to promote successful settlement of the otters in the area.

To investigate the population structure of five dog breeds in South Korea and to validate polymorphic microsatellite markers for the parentage test, microsatellite loci analyses were conducted for two Korean native dog breeds, Poongsan and Jindo, and three imported dog breeds, German Shepherd, Beagle and Greyhound. Overall genetic diversity was high across all dog breeds (expected heterozygosity range: 0.71 to 0.85), although breeds differed in deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Significant reduction of heterozygosity in the Poongsan and Greyhound breeds was caused by non-random mating and population substructure within these breeds (the Wahlund effects). The close relationship and high degree of genetic diversity for two Korean native dog breeds were substantial. The mean polymorphism information content value was highest in Jindos (0.82) and Poongsans (0.81), followed by Beagles (0.74), Greyhounds (0.72), and German Shepherds (0.66). Accumulated exclusion power values, as an indication of marker validity for parentage tests, were varied but very high across breeds, 0.9999 for Jindos, Poongsans, and Beagles, 0.9997 for Greyhounds, and 0.9995 for German Shepherds. Taken together, the microsatellite loci investigated in this study can serve as suitable markers for the parentage test and as individual identification to establish a reliable pedigree verification system of dog breeds in South Korea. This study also stresses that the population subdivision within breeds can become an important cause of deviation from HWE in dog breeds.

The Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) is a small lacertid lizard species, and its distribution range encompasses the Korean Peninsula, Mongolia, China and Russia. Eremias argus is widespread, but populations on the Korean Peninsula are small and declining, provoking concerns that genetic diversity is being lost. This species is currently listed under the Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora Act in South Korea. In this study, nine novel microsatellites for E. argus were developed with a biotin-enrichment method and used to understand its population genetic structure and delineate conservation units on the Korean Peninsula. Overall, low intrapopulation genetic diversity was observed (mean number of alleles per locus = 2.463; mean H E = 0.398) from 10 populations investigated (n = 110). Two populations (among five with n≥ 10) showed an excess of heterozygosity expected under HWE relative to that expected at mutation-drift equilibrium, indicating severe reduction in population sizes. With only a few exceptions, the overall genetic differentiation among populations was substantial with the high levels of pairwise-F ST (0.006-0.746) and -R ST (0.034-0.940) values. The results of Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis showed that E. argus populations on the Korean Peninsula were most likely partitioned into three genetic clusters. Taken all together, such low levels of gene flow and strong genetic structuring have critical implications for the conservation of this endangered species and its management.

The main goals of this study were to isolate microsatellites markers of Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) and understand the genetic status of the species in South Korea. Twelve new microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized to establish basic population genetic parameters for 45 H. i. argyropus specimens in South Korea. There were no significant regional or genetic structure differences between the mid-eastern and southwestern populations in South Korea according to the population genetic analyses. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 13 with an average of 6.08. Mean expected (HE) and observed heterozygosity (HO) were 0.622 and 0.533, respectively. Microsatellite variability was also not significant between the two regions (FST=0.012). These new markers should facilitate the future population genetics studies of Korean water deer and other closely related species.

The Korean hare, Lepus coreanus, is an important mammal in ecosystem food chains, and is distributed across the entire Korean peninsula and northeastern China. Polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using the biotinenrichment technique for use in population genetics studies. Five trinucleotide and four dinucleotide microsatellite loci were selected and tested on 22 Korean hare specimens collected from Gangwon Province and Gyeongsangbuk Province in South Korea. The number of alleles across the two sampling regions ranged from three to nine with a mean of 6.1. Mean observed and expected heterozygosities and polymorphic information content were 0.540, 0.627 and 0.579, respectively. Only one locus, Lc06, showed departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after applying the Bonferroni correction. Four microsatellites, Lc01, Lc03, Lc12, and Lc19, satisfied the criteria to serve as a core set of markers recommended for population genetics studies. These new microsatellite markers will be widely applicable to future genetic studies for management and conservation of the Korean hare and related species, including assessment of the genetic diversity and population structure of L. coreanus.

The Japanese otter ( Lutra nippon ), once inhabited in most islands of Japan, is now considered as an extinct species. Although the Japanese otter is regarded as a distinct species from the Eurasian otter ( L. lutra ), its phylogeny and taxonomic status are based on limited information on morphological and genetic data, and thus further clarification is required. Here, we assessed the phylogenetic relationship among the genus Lutra and taxonomic status of L. nippon by using the complete sequences of cytochrome b gene of its holotype. The present phylogenic trees supported that the genus Lutra specimens largely formed monophyletic group, with L. sumatrana as a basal to other Lutra species. Within Lutra species, L. nippon was distantly related with L. lutra . The European otter population of L. l. lutra were clustered together with its subspecies, L. l. chinensis rather than the same subspecies, Korean otter population. The discrepancy between the genetic data and traditional taxonomy justifies the necessity of reexamination of the current subspecific classification system of Eurasian otters. Level of genetic divergence between the holotype of L. nippon and L. lutra was two to three-fold lower than those among the other sister species of the Lutrinae. Based on the level of divergence between the L. nippon and L. lutra , and insufficient evidence of morphological difference between them, it is suggested that designation of Japanese otter as a separate species from L. lutra will be reconsidered.

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is one of the most challenging mammalian species to manage in the wild because of its high reproductive rate, population density, and lack of predators in much of its range. A recent outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) and the transmission into domestic pigs in commercial farms empower the necessity of establishing management strategies of the wild boar population in the northern region of South Korea. A population genetic study, including the dispersal distance estimation of wild boars, is required to prepare fine-scale population management strategies in the region. In this study, both population structure analysis and dispersal distance estimation based on kinship were conducted using 13 microsatellite markers. The results revealed a high level of genetic diversity compared to a previous study. The population was not structured obviously, but there was a slight level of genetic differentiation between groups mainly formed by isolation by distance rather than mountain ridges. The dispersal distance estimation of Korean wild boars based on kinship analysis showed a philopatric pattern in females. However, extensive dispersal ability in both sexes was observed with a considerable proportion. The population genetic status and dispersal traits of wild boars may provide valuable data for planning detailed ASF and wild boar population management strategies in South Korea.