Located approximately 80 km off the south coast of Korea, the shallow subtidal area of Jeju Islan... more Located approximately 80 km off the south coast of Korea, the shallow subtidal area of Jeju Island is enriched with fauna and flora (Cho et al. 2014; Noseworthy et al. 2016; Kwun et al. 2017). Such a high species diversity in coastal Jeju Island can be attributed to the warm Tsushima current, derived from the Kuroshio current, as numerous fauna have a zoo-geographical affiliation from the subtropical to tropical (Noseworthy et al. 2007; Sugihara et al. 2014; Lutaenko et al. 2019, 2021). According to Khim et al. (2021), 511 species of marine invertebrate animals have been recorded from Jeju Island, and mollusks constitute approximately 60%. Sugihara et al. (2014) identified seven species of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals on Jeju Island, these corals exclusively occurring there. The zooxanthellate scleractinian coral Alveopora japonica in the family Acroporidae occurs on shallow subtidal hard substrata in southern Taiwan, the Pacific coast of Japan,
Tide pools in the rocky intertidal of Jeju Island are characterized by a rich molluscan biodivers... more Tide pools in the rocky intertidal of Jeju Island are characterized by a rich molluscan biodiversity, often associated with macro algae; however, few studies have reported on the unique algae-mollusk association in tide pools in Jeju Island. In May 2012, we collected mollusk species associated with the coralline algae Corallina confusa Yendo, 1902 from a tide pool at Hamo beach on the southwest coast of Jeju Island. A total of 24 species associated with the coralline algae were identified, including one chiton in the Mopaliidae, 4 bivalves, and 19 gastropods. Most of the molluscs isolated from the coralline algae were juvenile and sub-adults, suggesting that C. confusa clusters in tide pools are utilized as a shelter or source of food for grazing gastropods.
A species of the genus Ammonicera Vayssière, 1893 collected from coralline algae communities in J... more A species of the genus Ammonicera Vayssière, 1893 collected from coralline algae communities in Jeju Island, South Korea, is described as a new species, A. aurea, for science. Its morphological characters are described and illustrated by SEM micrographs. This new species can be clearly distinguished from other Ammonicera species from the Pacific Ocean by the presence of a spiral cord and about 25 slightly-elevated axial ribs, resulting in about 25 nodules at intersecting points of the cord and ribs on the last whorl of the teleoconch.
The subtropical brooding oyster Ostrea (= Striostrea) circumpicta (Pilsbry, 1904) occurs at high ... more The subtropical brooding oyster Ostrea (= Striostrea) circumpicta (Pilsbry, 1904) occurs at high density in the shallow, subtidal, rocky bottom in Jeju Island, off the south coast of Korea, where the sea surface temperature and salinity varies annually from 13 to 25°C and 30 to 33 ppt, respectively. In this study, the annual gametogenesis and early larval development of O. circumpicta was examined, using histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Histology indicated that the females and males initiated gonial mitosis in September, shortly after sexual resting in August. In December, ripe eggs first appeared in the follicles, and most of the females exhibited fully mature oocytes in May, as the water temperature reached 17 to 18°C. Spawning females were dominant in June and July, when the trochophore and strait- hinged veliger larvae were also identified in the branchial chambers, their size ranging from 111 to 130 μm and 135-205 μm in diameter, respectively. The veliger larva...
Nobuea Kuroda et Miyanaga, 1943 (Gastropoda Cyclophoridae) is one of the least-known genera of te... more Nobuea Kuroda et Miyanaga, 1943 (Gastropoda Cyclophoridae) is one of the least-known genera of terrestrial gastropods. An individual of this genus was collected from Jeju Island, South Korea, the first record of Nobuea from this island. Further studies are needed to investigate the taxonomic and conservation status of the Jeju Nobuea reported here.
Marine bivalve mollusks were obtained from 13 collecting sites, intertidally on beaches and from ... more Marine bivalve mollusks were obtained from 13 collecting sites, intertidally on beaches and from fishing nets in ports, along the coast of Gangwon Province, Korea. A total of 70 species belonging to 27 families were encountered; all species are illustrated with photographs. Among them, 17 species are recorded for the first time for Gangwon-do, and two species are new records for Korea: Gari chinensis Deshayes, 1855 (Psammobiidae) and Clinocardium likharevi (Kafanov in Scarlato, 1981) (Cardiidae). Taxonomic and distributional comments on 13 species are provided, and the biogeography of the area is discussed. Some warm-water species of bivalves [e.g. Anadara talmiensis (Kalishevich, 1976), Trapezium liratum (Reeve, 1843), and Meretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798)], found in Gangwon-do for the first time, are remnants of the Holocene warming in the Russian sector of the East Sea (Sea of Japan), thus indicating the significance of Korean waters as a transitional zone for past molluscan migrations.
The southern coast of Korea comprises many small bays where the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas... more The southern coast of Korea comprises many small bays where the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, has been cultivated intensively employing a long-line hanging culture system. Naturally harvested oyster spats used in the long-line culture system are hardened in mid-intertidal area and transplanted to the center of the bay for grow-out usually in May. The May transferred oyster produced considerably smaller quantity of eggs during spawning in September. To enhance the reproductive effort and growth during grow-out, we transferred the hardened oyster juveniles to grow-out sites in January rather than May to allow them to accumulate energy reserves at the time of spring phytoplankton bloom that normally occurs during April and early May. The January transferred oyster juvenile (JTO) showed fast somatic and shell growth during grow-out, reaching a marketable size in August, while the juvenile oyster transplanted in May (MTO) did not reach a market size until November. JTO spawned from June to September, with a single spawning pulse in July, while most of the MTO spawned in September. Quantity of eggs produced by the JTO was 5.7 times higher than MTO, indicating that early growout enhanced egg production. The meat weight and levels of tissue carbohydrate and protein of JTO harvested in November were significantly higher than MTO harvested at the same time, suggesting that the meat quality of JTO is superior to the MTO. Overall, our results suggest that transplanted hardened juveniles to grow-out in January increase natural oyster seed harvest in the bay as well as improve quality of the oyster for marketing. Statement of relevance: Oyster farming is one of the leading aquaculture industries in the world, producing over 4 million tons of oysters annually worldwide. In the oyster industry, Crassostrea gigas, the Pacific oyster, has been cultured extensively in Asia, and recently in Europe using different modes of culture. In Asia, the Pacific oysters are raised using subtidal hanging long-line system, while they are cultured in intertidal areas using net bags and rack system in Europe. In Korea and Japan, the oyster seeds are supplied mostly from wild, by harvesting oyster larvae during postspawning season. The newly harvested oyster spats are stunted in intertidal before they are transplanted to the subtidal hanging long-lines, to maximize survival of the seed oysters. This stunting process is called hardening and the hardening of oyster has been practiced for several decades in Korea and Japan. In Korea, the hardening seed oysters are transplanted in May, and the May transplanted oysters are harvested in December as they grow up to 8 cm in shell length. The May transplanted oysters produce relatively smaller quantity of eggs during their first spawning, although the small reproductive effort may increase their survival during post-spawning season. The natural oyster spats harvested in late summer or early fall for the oyster culture in Korea are mostly originated from the May transplanted oysters. Currently, the natural oyster spat harvest in Korea suffers from insufficient quantity. In part, this insufficiency is associated to the poor reproductive activity of the May transplanted oyster. Low reproductive effort of May transplanted oysters during their first spawning is, in part, associated to too late transplantation to the bay, and earlier transplantation of the stunted oysters from the hardening ground to the grow-out ground in the bay may enhance the reproductive effort, resulting in subsequent successful larval recruitment and settlement of the larvae. Accordingly, we experimentally transplanted the hardened oysters 4 months earlier to the traditional transplanting period (January) and monitored their reproduction and growth. Although the hardening process has been practiced over 50 years, no studies have compared growth and reproduction of differentially transplanted oysters in Korea. As the data demonstrated, January transplanted oyster demonstrated earlier gonad maturation and produced 5 × more eggs during spawning, compared to
First collected in North America in 1937 on the Avalon Peninsula of the Island of Newfoundland, t... more First collected in North America in 1937 on the Avalon Peninsula of the Island of Newfoundland, the introduced, primarily European land snail, Discus rotundatus, has now been recorded from the Island of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. We review all known records from Canada, demonstrate that D. rotundatus is more widespread than was previously recognized on the Island of Newfoundland, and report the first record from New Brunswick.
The neritid species Clithon retropictus inhabits rivers and estuaries along the southern coast of... more The neritid species Clithon retropictus inhabits rivers and estuaries along the southern coast of the Korean mainland but has not been previously reported from Jeju Island. In 2007 and 2011 specimens of this species were obtained from two separate localities on the south coast of the island. Comparisons were made with von Martens' original description, specimens from the Korean mainland, and illustrations and descriptions in the literature. Although there were some differences in color and markings, and slight differences in morphology, the specimens from Jeju Island compare well with those from the mainland and in the literature. The shells of this species become more ovate and more eroded with age. In one locality, a small river, specimens of the pleurocerid Semisulcospira libertina (Gould, 1859), were found adjacent to, and coexisting with, a population of C. retropictus, an association that often occurs. The occurrence of Clithon retropictus represents a range extension to Jeju Island.
The bivalve Malleus regula (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) is reported for the first time from Korea.... more The bivalve Malleus regula (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) is reported for the first time from Korea. This is the second species of Malleidae reported from this country. Since the species is quite variable, comparisons were made with the original description and descriptions in the literature; some taxonomic comments were also made. Global warming and possible changes in the northward-flowing Tsushima Current may account for the addition of new mollusk species to the island's fauna.
In the present study, we surveyed the molluscan fauna in a lagoon located near Seong-san harbor o... more In the present study, we surveyed the molluscan fauna in a lagoon located near Seong-san harbor on the east coast of Jeju Island in July 2012. For the survey, a 25 x 25 cm quadrat was deployed over 3 randomly selected sites in the intertidal area of the lagoon. Sediment from the surface to a depth of 25 cm in the quadrat was removed and sieved using a 1 mm mesh sieve. All molluscan fauna retained on the sieve was identified to the species level. From the survey, 25 species of mollusca belonging to 2 orders and 16 families were identified. Species richness, in terms of total number of species, was found to be the highest at sampling site 1, where the substrate was composed of coarse sand and some rocks, while it was lowest at sampling site 3, composed of compact fine sand. Regardless of the type of substrate at the sampling sites, the mud-creeping snail Batillaria cumingii (Crosse, 1862) occurred at a high density, ranging from 324-468 ind./m 2. The luciniid bivalve Pillucina pisidium also occurred at a high density at sampling site 1, at 336 ind./m 2 , while the density of this species was only 4 ind./m 2 at sampling site 3. The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum could be found at all 3 sampling sites with very low density ranging from 16-48 ind./m 2. The density and species richness of molluscs observed in this study was lower compared to the previously reported molluscan fauna in Jeju Island, suggesting that further investigation needs to be carried out to conserve the unique marine lagoon ecosystem in Jeju Island.
The family Boettgerillidae, represented by the Eurasian slug Boettgerilla pallens Simroth, 1912, ... more The family Boettgerillidae, represented by the Eurasian slug Boettgerilla pallens Simroth, 1912, is first recorded for Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada-a range extension of almost exactly 5000 km within the Americas. Compiled, within an appendix, to provide a national perspective for the Newfoundland and Labrador record, are 13 previously unpublished B. pallens records from British Columbia, Canada. Incidentally recorded is the second eastern Canadian outdoor occurrence of the European slug Deroceras invadens. This paper is the first in a series that will treat all of the terrestrial molluscs of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The biogeography and diversity patterns of the marine bivalve molluscan fauna of the East Sea coa... more The biogeography and diversity patterns of the marine bivalve molluscan fauna of the East Sea coast of South Korea are analyzed. The total species richness of the continental Korean bivalve fauna, excluding insular regions (Dok-do and Ullung-do), is 304, and from north to south the species richness of bivalves increases showing a clear gradient: Gangwon, 143 species → Gyeongbuk, 131 → Gyeongnam, 183. A zonal-geographical analysis of the entire fauna shows that the great majority are warm-water mollusks, constituting 77% (subtropical, 37%, tropical-subtropical, 30%, subtropical-boreal, 10%), The number of boreal (low-boreal, widely distributed boreal and circumboreal) species is lower, 19%, whereas boreal-arctic mollusks have only 4%. This demonstrates that the bivalve molluscan fauna of the eastern coast of Korea is subtropical, and has more affinities to the fauna of the East China Sea than to the northern East Sea. Separate analysis by provinces shows the increasing role of warm-water mollusks from north to south. While tropical-subtropical and subtropical species constitute 47% (68 species) in Gangwon, their dominance increases to 71% (93 species) in Gyeongbuk, and to 80% (148 species) in Gyeongnam. The Gyeongnam bivalve fauna is the most diverse in species composition and has the largest number of "endemics" (species known only from this province), 46%. The Gangwon fauna also contains many "endemics", up to 40%, while Gyeongbuk is an intermediate zone with low "endemicity", only at one-fifth of the regional fauna, and has the most species in common among the three provinces.
In the present study, we observed a unique association of the flat oyster, Ostrea denselamellosa ... more In the present study, we observed a unique association of the flat oyster, Ostrea denselamellosa obtained from a muddy substrate at Haechang Bay, the south coast of Korea in the spring of 2013. Fossilized or semi-fossilized veneriid clam shells, possibly Ruditapes philippinarum, were found adhering to the umbonal area of the flat oyster valves. This unique association of the flat oyster shells with the fossilized clam shells suggested that the flat oyster larvae utilized the clam shells as substrate during settlement. Since availability of clam shells in the muddy subtidal environment is limited, this unique substrata for the flat oyster larvae may limit recruitment of the flat oysters in the bay.
The Chinese mystery snail, Cipangopaludina [=Bellamya] chinensis, is documented for the first tim... more The Chinese mystery snail, Cipangopaludina [=Bellamya] chinensis, is documented for the first time in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, a watercourse which drains the largest watershed in Atlantic Canada. This is the first non-native mollusc known to be established in the Saint John River system. Although significant ecosystem effects of the species seem unlikely, possible introduction of C. chinensis via boat traffic emphasizes the need for boater education combined with monitoring of the Saint John River system for potentially more troublesome non-native species, including the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Review of published records and museum collections for Atlantic Canada show C. chinensis has been reported from 13 freshwater wetlands and waterbodies in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland since 1955. The species remains extant in at least 10 of these sites and is clearly more widespread in the region than the single previously published report would suggest.
Corals reefs and communities support a wide range of flora and fauna. The complete richness and a... more Corals reefs and communities support a wide range of flora and fauna. The complete richness and abundance of faunal communities in either coral reefs or communities is not fully understood. This is especially true for high-latitude coral communities. In this work, we carried out an analysis of an Alveopora japonica associated mollusk assemblage, in Jeju Island, Korea. A. japonica is one of the major coral species present in high abundance (88-155 colonies m-2), with a high recruitment rate (7.8 juvenile corals m-2 yr-1) in Jeju Island, and may serve as a habitat for other benthic organisms. In 2012, a total number of 579 A. japonica colonies with sizes ranging between 15.1346.7 cm 2 in the surface area were collected from a 1 m × 10 m quadrat installed at a depth of 10 m at Keumneung, on the northwest coast of Jeju Island. Numerous benthic invertebrates were found to be associated with A. japonica colonies. Twenty-seven bivalves and gastropods were identified, including a boring mytilid, Lithophaga curta, and an arcid, Barbatia stearnsi. A zonalgeographical examination of the distribution ranges of these mollusks revealed a majority of warmer water species. Our observations also showed that A. japonica may be providing a habitat to grazing gastropod, Turbo cornutus, and encrusting Spondylidae and Chamidae bivalves. A. japonica forms a coral carpet with a distinct assemblage of bivalves. It is thought that the presence of these mollusks species in the coral indicates its use as a nursery for juvenile species, a ready food supply of organic detritus, and a refuge from predators.
This paper evaluates the influence of habitat heterogeneity, inter-habitat connectivity, and biog... more This paper evaluates the influence of habitat heterogeneity, inter-habitat connectivity, and biogeograhical patterns in the context of a biodiversity hotspot in an Atlantic-Mediterranean marine transition area. We analyzed some biological and ecological aspects of molluscan assemblages inhabiting different habitats located in the northwestern Alboran Sea, in order to elucidate the inter-habitat connectivity among coastal habitats, and to understand the contribution of each habitat to the integrity of the infralittoral ecosystem. The assessment of molluscan assemblages was performed by combining information regarding (1) feeding guilds, to analyze trophic strategies; (2) microhabitat preference, to study the link between habitat heterogeneity with biodiversity; and (3) biogeographical affinities, to identify distributional patterns of molluscs. A total of 354 molluscs were identified, with vegetated habitats harbouring the highest number of species. A wide variety of trophic strategies were observed, with infaunal filter feeders, specialized carnivores living on sessile invertebrates and microalgal grazers dominating the assemblages. Most of the species have a wide distribution while few strictly Mediterranean species have been collected. The presence of subtropical species highlights the uniqueness of this area in European seas. The high β-diversity value obtained is indicative of high habitat heterogeneity and a high amount of uncommon species, some of them displaying their sole European populations. The different assemblages enrich the global taxocoenosis through complementarity, with an important inter-habitat connectivity reflected by the different temporal ordination of samples according to both microhabitat affinities and feeding guilds. This work highlights the balanced contribution of soft and vegetated bottoms as reservoirs of biodiversity.
The costellariid gastropod Vexillum zelotypum Reeve 1845a is reported for the first time on Jeju ... more The costellariid gastropod Vexillum zelotypum Reeve 1845a is reported for the first time on Jeju Island. Four Costellariidae species are now part of the island's mollusk fauna. Comparisons are made with the original description and descriptions in the literature; some taxonomic comments are also made. The addition of new record to the island's fauna may be the result of previous insufficient sampling, global warming, and possible changes in the warm currents flowing northward to Japan and Korea.
Located approximately 80 km off the south coast of Korea, the shallow subtidal area of Jeju Islan... more Located approximately 80 km off the south coast of Korea, the shallow subtidal area of Jeju Island is enriched with fauna and flora (Cho et al. 2014; Noseworthy et al. 2016; Kwun et al. 2017). Such a high species diversity in coastal Jeju Island can be attributed to the warm Tsushima current, derived from the Kuroshio current, as numerous fauna have a zoo-geographical affiliation from the subtropical to tropical (Noseworthy et al. 2007; Sugihara et al. 2014; Lutaenko et al. 2019, 2021). According to Khim et al. (2021), 511 species of marine invertebrate animals have been recorded from Jeju Island, and mollusks constitute approximately 60%. Sugihara et al. (2014) identified seven species of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals on Jeju Island, these corals exclusively occurring there. The zooxanthellate scleractinian coral Alveopora japonica in the family Acroporidae occurs on shallow subtidal hard substrata in southern Taiwan, the Pacific coast of Japan,
Tide pools in the rocky intertidal of Jeju Island are characterized by a rich molluscan biodivers... more Tide pools in the rocky intertidal of Jeju Island are characterized by a rich molluscan biodiversity, often associated with macro algae; however, few studies have reported on the unique algae-mollusk association in tide pools in Jeju Island. In May 2012, we collected mollusk species associated with the coralline algae Corallina confusa Yendo, 1902 from a tide pool at Hamo beach on the southwest coast of Jeju Island. A total of 24 species associated with the coralline algae were identified, including one chiton in the Mopaliidae, 4 bivalves, and 19 gastropods. Most of the molluscs isolated from the coralline algae were juvenile and sub-adults, suggesting that C. confusa clusters in tide pools are utilized as a shelter or source of food for grazing gastropods.
A species of the genus Ammonicera Vayssière, 1893 collected from coralline algae communities in J... more A species of the genus Ammonicera Vayssière, 1893 collected from coralline algae communities in Jeju Island, South Korea, is described as a new species, A. aurea, for science. Its morphological characters are described and illustrated by SEM micrographs. This new species can be clearly distinguished from other Ammonicera species from the Pacific Ocean by the presence of a spiral cord and about 25 slightly-elevated axial ribs, resulting in about 25 nodules at intersecting points of the cord and ribs on the last whorl of the teleoconch.
The subtropical brooding oyster Ostrea (= Striostrea) circumpicta (Pilsbry, 1904) occurs at high ... more The subtropical brooding oyster Ostrea (= Striostrea) circumpicta (Pilsbry, 1904) occurs at high density in the shallow, subtidal, rocky bottom in Jeju Island, off the south coast of Korea, where the sea surface temperature and salinity varies annually from 13 to 25°C and 30 to 33 ppt, respectively. In this study, the annual gametogenesis and early larval development of O. circumpicta was examined, using histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Histology indicated that the females and males initiated gonial mitosis in September, shortly after sexual resting in August. In December, ripe eggs first appeared in the follicles, and most of the females exhibited fully mature oocytes in May, as the water temperature reached 17 to 18°C. Spawning females were dominant in June and July, when the trochophore and strait- hinged veliger larvae were also identified in the branchial chambers, their size ranging from 111 to 130 μm and 135-205 μm in diameter, respectively. The veliger larva...
Nobuea Kuroda et Miyanaga, 1943 (Gastropoda Cyclophoridae) is one of the least-known genera of te... more Nobuea Kuroda et Miyanaga, 1943 (Gastropoda Cyclophoridae) is one of the least-known genera of terrestrial gastropods. An individual of this genus was collected from Jeju Island, South Korea, the first record of Nobuea from this island. Further studies are needed to investigate the taxonomic and conservation status of the Jeju Nobuea reported here.
Marine bivalve mollusks were obtained from 13 collecting sites, intertidally on beaches and from ... more Marine bivalve mollusks were obtained from 13 collecting sites, intertidally on beaches and from fishing nets in ports, along the coast of Gangwon Province, Korea. A total of 70 species belonging to 27 families were encountered; all species are illustrated with photographs. Among them, 17 species are recorded for the first time for Gangwon-do, and two species are new records for Korea: Gari chinensis Deshayes, 1855 (Psammobiidae) and Clinocardium likharevi (Kafanov in Scarlato, 1981) (Cardiidae). Taxonomic and distributional comments on 13 species are provided, and the biogeography of the area is discussed. Some warm-water species of bivalves [e.g. Anadara talmiensis (Kalishevich, 1976), Trapezium liratum (Reeve, 1843), and Meretrix lusoria (Röding, 1798)], found in Gangwon-do for the first time, are remnants of the Holocene warming in the Russian sector of the East Sea (Sea of Japan), thus indicating the significance of Korean waters as a transitional zone for past molluscan migrations.
The southern coast of Korea comprises many small bays where the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas... more The southern coast of Korea comprises many small bays where the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, has been cultivated intensively employing a long-line hanging culture system. Naturally harvested oyster spats used in the long-line culture system are hardened in mid-intertidal area and transplanted to the center of the bay for grow-out usually in May. The May transferred oyster produced considerably smaller quantity of eggs during spawning in September. To enhance the reproductive effort and growth during grow-out, we transferred the hardened oyster juveniles to grow-out sites in January rather than May to allow them to accumulate energy reserves at the time of spring phytoplankton bloom that normally occurs during April and early May. The January transferred oyster juvenile (JTO) showed fast somatic and shell growth during grow-out, reaching a marketable size in August, while the juvenile oyster transplanted in May (MTO) did not reach a market size until November. JTO spawned from June to September, with a single spawning pulse in July, while most of the MTO spawned in September. Quantity of eggs produced by the JTO was 5.7 times higher than MTO, indicating that early growout enhanced egg production. The meat weight and levels of tissue carbohydrate and protein of JTO harvested in November were significantly higher than MTO harvested at the same time, suggesting that the meat quality of JTO is superior to the MTO. Overall, our results suggest that transplanted hardened juveniles to grow-out in January increase natural oyster seed harvest in the bay as well as improve quality of the oyster for marketing. Statement of relevance: Oyster farming is one of the leading aquaculture industries in the world, producing over 4 million tons of oysters annually worldwide. In the oyster industry, Crassostrea gigas, the Pacific oyster, has been cultured extensively in Asia, and recently in Europe using different modes of culture. In Asia, the Pacific oysters are raised using subtidal hanging long-line system, while they are cultured in intertidal areas using net bags and rack system in Europe. In Korea and Japan, the oyster seeds are supplied mostly from wild, by harvesting oyster larvae during postspawning season. The newly harvested oyster spats are stunted in intertidal before they are transplanted to the subtidal hanging long-lines, to maximize survival of the seed oysters. This stunting process is called hardening and the hardening of oyster has been practiced for several decades in Korea and Japan. In Korea, the hardening seed oysters are transplanted in May, and the May transplanted oysters are harvested in December as they grow up to 8 cm in shell length. The May transplanted oysters produce relatively smaller quantity of eggs during their first spawning, although the small reproductive effort may increase their survival during post-spawning season. The natural oyster spats harvested in late summer or early fall for the oyster culture in Korea are mostly originated from the May transplanted oysters. Currently, the natural oyster spat harvest in Korea suffers from insufficient quantity. In part, this insufficiency is associated to the poor reproductive activity of the May transplanted oyster. Low reproductive effort of May transplanted oysters during their first spawning is, in part, associated to too late transplantation to the bay, and earlier transplantation of the stunted oysters from the hardening ground to the grow-out ground in the bay may enhance the reproductive effort, resulting in subsequent successful larval recruitment and settlement of the larvae. Accordingly, we experimentally transplanted the hardened oysters 4 months earlier to the traditional transplanting period (January) and monitored their reproduction and growth. Although the hardening process has been practiced over 50 years, no studies have compared growth and reproduction of differentially transplanted oysters in Korea. As the data demonstrated, January transplanted oyster demonstrated earlier gonad maturation and produced 5 × more eggs during spawning, compared to
First collected in North America in 1937 on the Avalon Peninsula of the Island of Newfoundland, t... more First collected in North America in 1937 on the Avalon Peninsula of the Island of Newfoundland, the introduced, primarily European land snail, Discus rotundatus, has now been recorded from the Island of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. We review all known records from Canada, demonstrate that D. rotundatus is more widespread than was previously recognized on the Island of Newfoundland, and report the first record from New Brunswick.
The neritid species Clithon retropictus inhabits rivers and estuaries along the southern coast of... more The neritid species Clithon retropictus inhabits rivers and estuaries along the southern coast of the Korean mainland but has not been previously reported from Jeju Island. In 2007 and 2011 specimens of this species were obtained from two separate localities on the south coast of the island. Comparisons were made with von Martens' original description, specimens from the Korean mainland, and illustrations and descriptions in the literature. Although there were some differences in color and markings, and slight differences in morphology, the specimens from Jeju Island compare well with those from the mainland and in the literature. The shells of this species become more ovate and more eroded with age. In one locality, a small river, specimens of the pleurocerid Semisulcospira libertina (Gould, 1859), were found adjacent to, and coexisting with, a population of C. retropictus, an association that often occurs. The occurrence of Clithon retropictus represents a range extension to Jeju Island.
The bivalve Malleus regula (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) is reported for the first time from Korea.... more The bivalve Malleus regula (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) is reported for the first time from Korea. This is the second species of Malleidae reported from this country. Since the species is quite variable, comparisons were made with the original description and descriptions in the literature; some taxonomic comments were also made. Global warming and possible changes in the northward-flowing Tsushima Current may account for the addition of new mollusk species to the island's fauna.
In the present study, we surveyed the molluscan fauna in a lagoon located near Seong-san harbor o... more In the present study, we surveyed the molluscan fauna in a lagoon located near Seong-san harbor on the east coast of Jeju Island in July 2012. For the survey, a 25 x 25 cm quadrat was deployed over 3 randomly selected sites in the intertidal area of the lagoon. Sediment from the surface to a depth of 25 cm in the quadrat was removed and sieved using a 1 mm mesh sieve. All molluscan fauna retained on the sieve was identified to the species level. From the survey, 25 species of mollusca belonging to 2 orders and 16 families were identified. Species richness, in terms of total number of species, was found to be the highest at sampling site 1, where the substrate was composed of coarse sand and some rocks, while it was lowest at sampling site 3, composed of compact fine sand. Regardless of the type of substrate at the sampling sites, the mud-creeping snail Batillaria cumingii (Crosse, 1862) occurred at a high density, ranging from 324-468 ind./m 2. The luciniid bivalve Pillucina pisidium also occurred at a high density at sampling site 1, at 336 ind./m 2 , while the density of this species was only 4 ind./m 2 at sampling site 3. The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum could be found at all 3 sampling sites with very low density ranging from 16-48 ind./m 2. The density and species richness of molluscs observed in this study was lower compared to the previously reported molluscan fauna in Jeju Island, suggesting that further investigation needs to be carried out to conserve the unique marine lagoon ecosystem in Jeju Island.
The family Boettgerillidae, represented by the Eurasian slug Boettgerilla pallens Simroth, 1912, ... more The family Boettgerillidae, represented by the Eurasian slug Boettgerilla pallens Simroth, 1912, is first recorded for Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada-a range extension of almost exactly 5000 km within the Americas. Compiled, within an appendix, to provide a national perspective for the Newfoundland and Labrador record, are 13 previously unpublished B. pallens records from British Columbia, Canada. Incidentally recorded is the second eastern Canadian outdoor occurrence of the European slug Deroceras invadens. This paper is the first in a series that will treat all of the terrestrial molluscs of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The biogeography and diversity patterns of the marine bivalve molluscan fauna of the East Sea coa... more The biogeography and diversity patterns of the marine bivalve molluscan fauna of the East Sea coast of South Korea are analyzed. The total species richness of the continental Korean bivalve fauna, excluding insular regions (Dok-do and Ullung-do), is 304, and from north to south the species richness of bivalves increases showing a clear gradient: Gangwon, 143 species → Gyeongbuk, 131 → Gyeongnam, 183. A zonal-geographical analysis of the entire fauna shows that the great majority are warm-water mollusks, constituting 77% (subtropical, 37%, tropical-subtropical, 30%, subtropical-boreal, 10%), The number of boreal (low-boreal, widely distributed boreal and circumboreal) species is lower, 19%, whereas boreal-arctic mollusks have only 4%. This demonstrates that the bivalve molluscan fauna of the eastern coast of Korea is subtropical, and has more affinities to the fauna of the East China Sea than to the northern East Sea. Separate analysis by provinces shows the increasing role of warm-water mollusks from north to south. While tropical-subtropical and subtropical species constitute 47% (68 species) in Gangwon, their dominance increases to 71% (93 species) in Gyeongbuk, and to 80% (148 species) in Gyeongnam. The Gyeongnam bivalve fauna is the most diverse in species composition and has the largest number of "endemics" (species known only from this province), 46%. The Gangwon fauna also contains many "endemics", up to 40%, while Gyeongbuk is an intermediate zone with low "endemicity", only at one-fifth of the regional fauna, and has the most species in common among the three provinces.
In the present study, we observed a unique association of the flat oyster, Ostrea denselamellosa ... more In the present study, we observed a unique association of the flat oyster, Ostrea denselamellosa obtained from a muddy substrate at Haechang Bay, the south coast of Korea in the spring of 2013. Fossilized or semi-fossilized veneriid clam shells, possibly Ruditapes philippinarum, were found adhering to the umbonal area of the flat oyster valves. This unique association of the flat oyster shells with the fossilized clam shells suggested that the flat oyster larvae utilized the clam shells as substrate during settlement. Since availability of clam shells in the muddy subtidal environment is limited, this unique substrata for the flat oyster larvae may limit recruitment of the flat oysters in the bay.
The Chinese mystery snail, Cipangopaludina [=Bellamya] chinensis, is documented for the first tim... more The Chinese mystery snail, Cipangopaludina [=Bellamya] chinensis, is documented for the first time in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, a watercourse which drains the largest watershed in Atlantic Canada. This is the first non-native mollusc known to be established in the Saint John River system. Although significant ecosystem effects of the species seem unlikely, possible introduction of C. chinensis via boat traffic emphasizes the need for boater education combined with monitoring of the Saint John River system for potentially more troublesome non-native species, including the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Review of published records and museum collections for Atlantic Canada show C. chinensis has been reported from 13 freshwater wetlands and waterbodies in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland since 1955. The species remains extant in at least 10 of these sites and is clearly more widespread in the region than the single previously published report would suggest.
Corals reefs and communities support a wide range of flora and fauna. The complete richness and a... more Corals reefs and communities support a wide range of flora and fauna. The complete richness and abundance of faunal communities in either coral reefs or communities is not fully understood. This is especially true for high-latitude coral communities. In this work, we carried out an analysis of an Alveopora japonica associated mollusk assemblage, in Jeju Island, Korea. A. japonica is one of the major coral species present in high abundance (88-155 colonies m-2), with a high recruitment rate (7.8 juvenile corals m-2 yr-1) in Jeju Island, and may serve as a habitat for other benthic organisms. In 2012, a total number of 579 A. japonica colonies with sizes ranging between 15.1346.7 cm 2 in the surface area were collected from a 1 m × 10 m quadrat installed at a depth of 10 m at Keumneung, on the northwest coast of Jeju Island. Numerous benthic invertebrates were found to be associated with A. japonica colonies. Twenty-seven bivalves and gastropods were identified, including a boring mytilid, Lithophaga curta, and an arcid, Barbatia stearnsi. A zonalgeographical examination of the distribution ranges of these mollusks revealed a majority of warmer water species. Our observations also showed that A. japonica may be providing a habitat to grazing gastropod, Turbo cornutus, and encrusting Spondylidae and Chamidae bivalves. A. japonica forms a coral carpet with a distinct assemblage of bivalves. It is thought that the presence of these mollusks species in the coral indicates its use as a nursery for juvenile species, a ready food supply of organic detritus, and a refuge from predators.
This paper evaluates the influence of habitat heterogeneity, inter-habitat connectivity, and biog... more This paper evaluates the influence of habitat heterogeneity, inter-habitat connectivity, and biogeograhical patterns in the context of a biodiversity hotspot in an Atlantic-Mediterranean marine transition area. We analyzed some biological and ecological aspects of molluscan assemblages inhabiting different habitats located in the northwestern Alboran Sea, in order to elucidate the inter-habitat connectivity among coastal habitats, and to understand the contribution of each habitat to the integrity of the infralittoral ecosystem. The assessment of molluscan assemblages was performed by combining information regarding (1) feeding guilds, to analyze trophic strategies; (2) microhabitat preference, to study the link between habitat heterogeneity with biodiversity; and (3) biogeographical affinities, to identify distributional patterns of molluscs. A total of 354 molluscs were identified, with vegetated habitats harbouring the highest number of species. A wide variety of trophic strategies were observed, with infaunal filter feeders, specialized carnivores living on sessile invertebrates and microalgal grazers dominating the assemblages. Most of the species have a wide distribution while few strictly Mediterranean species have been collected. The presence of subtropical species highlights the uniqueness of this area in European seas. The high β-diversity value obtained is indicative of high habitat heterogeneity and a high amount of uncommon species, some of them displaying their sole European populations. The different assemblages enrich the global taxocoenosis through complementarity, with an important inter-habitat connectivity reflected by the different temporal ordination of samples according to both microhabitat affinities and feeding guilds. This work highlights the balanced contribution of soft and vegetated bottoms as reservoirs of biodiversity.
The costellariid gastropod Vexillum zelotypum Reeve 1845a is reported for the first time on Jeju ... more The costellariid gastropod Vexillum zelotypum Reeve 1845a is reported for the first time on Jeju Island. Four Costellariidae species are now part of the island's mollusk fauna. Comparisons are made with the original description and descriptions in the literature; some taxonomic comments are also made. The addition of new record to the island's fauna may be the result of previous insufficient sampling, global warming, and possible changes in the warm currents flowing northward to Japan and Korea.
The biogeography and diversity patterns of the marine bivalve molluscan fauna of the East Sea coa... more The biogeography and diversity patterns of the marine bivalve molluscan fauna of the East Sea coast of South
Korea are analyzed. The total species richness of the continental Korean bivalve fauna, excluding insular regions
(Dok-do and Ullung-do), is 304, and from north to south the species richness of bivalves increases showing a clear
gradient: Gangwon, 143 species → Gyeongbuk, 131 → Gyeongnam, 183. A zonal-geographical analysis of the
entire fauna shows that the great majority are warm-water mollusks, constituting 77% (subtropical, 37%,
tropical-subtropical, 30%, subtropical-boreal, 10%), The number of boreal (low-boreal, widely distributed boreal
and circumboreal) species is lower, 19%, whereas boreal-arctic mollusks have only 4%. This demonstrates that
the bivalve molluscan fauna of the eastern coast of Korea is subtropical, and has more affinities to the fauna of the
East China Sea than to the northern East Sea. Separate analysis by provinces shows the increasing role of
warm-water mollusks from north to south. While tropical-subtropical and subtropical species constitute 47% (68
species) in Gangwon, their dominance increases to 71% (93 species) in Gyeongbuk, and to 80% (148 species) in
Gyeongnam. The Gyeongnam bivalve fauna is the most diverse in species composition and has the largest
number of “endemics” (species known only from this province), 46%. The Gangwon fauna also contains many
“endemics”, up to 40%, while Gyeongbuk is an intermediate zone with low “endemicity”, only at one-fifth of the
regional fauna, and has the most species in common among the three provinces.
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Papers by Ron Noseworthy
Korea are analyzed. The total species richness of the continental Korean bivalve fauna, excluding insular regions
(Dok-do and Ullung-do), is 304, and from north to south the species richness of bivalves increases showing a clear
gradient: Gangwon, 143 species → Gyeongbuk, 131 → Gyeongnam, 183. A zonal-geographical analysis of the
entire fauna shows that the great majority are warm-water mollusks, constituting 77% (subtropical, 37%,
tropical-subtropical, 30%, subtropical-boreal, 10%), The number of boreal (low-boreal, widely distributed boreal
and circumboreal) species is lower, 19%, whereas boreal-arctic mollusks have only 4%. This demonstrates that
the bivalve molluscan fauna of the eastern coast of Korea is subtropical, and has more affinities to the fauna of the
East China Sea than to the northern East Sea. Separate analysis by provinces shows the increasing role of
warm-water mollusks from north to south. While tropical-subtropical and subtropical species constitute 47% (68
species) in Gangwon, their dominance increases to 71% (93 species) in Gyeongbuk, and to 80% (148 species) in
Gyeongnam. The Gyeongnam bivalve fauna is the most diverse in species composition and has the largest
number of “endemics” (species known only from this province), 46%. The Gangwon fauna also contains many
“endemics”, up to 40%, while Gyeongbuk is an intermediate zone with low “endemicity”, only at one-fifth of the
regional fauna, and has the most species in common among the three provinces.