Anim. Syst. Evol. Divers. Special Issue, No. 9: 73-79, December 2016 https://doi.org/10.5635/ASED.2016.SIN9.043 Review article Current Status of Mammal Fauna on Jindo Island, Korea Hong Shik Oh1,*, Seon Mi Park1, Yoo Kyung Kim1,2, Sang Hyun Han2, Hwa Jin Lee1,3, Jeong Wook Ha3 1Faculty of Science Education, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea 2Educational Science Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea 3Division of Ecological Survey Research, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon 33657, Korea ABSTRACT In the present study, to explore the current status of mammals that inhabit Jindo Island, Jeollanam­do, South Korea, a survey was conducted from July 6 to July 9, 2016. Using several survey methods, such as Sherman’s live trap, footprint, caves, excretions, and road­kill investigations, the mammals observed on Jindo Island were found to be from 5 orders and 9 families, including 12 species in total. Among them, three species of small mammals were Mogera wogura, Crocidura shantungensis, and Apodemus agrarius. Additionally, two legally protected species were found through excretion observations. Lutra lutra and Prionailurus bengalensis, which were designated to endangered wild animal classes I and II, respectively. The survey results can be used as a valuable resource for identifying the distribution and habitat status of mammals in the Jindo­gun area, as well as for building a database for ecosystem preservation. Keywords: distribution, ecosystem preservation, habitat status, Jindo Island, mammal INTRODUCTION to urbanization, development, and people collecting rare plants and animals, the destruction of its ecosystems has been Island regions have several distinct features. They are sur­ rapidly progressing. Therefore, we need to be proactive in rounded by seas on all four sides and are socially, economi­ dealing with environmental changes such as regional wild cally, and culturally separated from inland areas. They also animal extinction or a decrease in biological diversity. have a relatively limited land space. Since marine and terre­ Numerous studies have been conducted with regard to strial ecosystems coexist in island regions, they have unique island biogeography and taxonomic groups (e.g., mammals, biological diversity and biota due to the interplay between reptiles, etc.) abroad (Ota, 1998; Chung et al., 2000; Millien, the island interior, the sea, and the atmosphere (Byun and 2011; de Bruyn et al., 2014; Brown et al., 2016; Sanguila et Jeon, 2008; Lee, 2010). al., 2016). Calls for further research on the ecosystems of Due to the unique ocean­environmental characteristics the large islands have been voiced in Korea; nevertheless, of the island regions off the southwest coast of Korea, the little research has been carried out with a focus on the Jindo islands are inhabited by a variety of species. Jindo Island is area, the third biggest island in the country. located in the southern part of the Yellow Sea and is the third Prior to the current survey, the second and third National largest island in Korea, following the Jeju and Geoje islands. Environment Surveys were conducted to survey mammals Its annual average temperature is 13-14°C. Most islands on Jindo Island (MOE, 1998; NIER, 2006, 2012a, 2012b, belonging to Jindo­gun consist of high mountains and have 2012c, 2012d, 2012e, 2012f). This study was initiated in stable forest systems. Small rivers flowing among the moun­ line with the 4th National Environment Survey (2016) to tains are commonly seen in the areas, providing good condi­ explore the distribution and habitat status of mammals on tions for wild animals to live due to the abundant quantities Jindo Island. of water. However, with the growing human population due This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative *To whom correspondence should be addressed Commons Attribution Non­Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ Tel: 82-64-754-3283, Fax: 82-64-725-4902 licenses/by­nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non­commercial use, distribution, E-mail: [email protected] and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. pISSN 2234-6953 eISSN 2234-8190 Copyright The Korean Society of Systematic Zoology Hong Shik Oh, Seon Mi Park, Yoo Kyung Kim, Sang Hyun Han, Hwa Jin Lee, Jeong Wook Ha Table 1. Mammal survey locations in the Jindo-gun area Section Location Survey site Section 1 Goseong-ri, Gogun-myeon 2-6 area Section 2 Hyangdong-ri, Gogun-myeon San 155-1 & San 194-1 areas Section 3 Sacheon-ri, Uisin-myeon San 20-4 & San 12 areas Section 4 Gojeong-ri, Imhoe-myeon San 1 area (Aengmu Bridge) Section 5 Gahak-ri, Jisan-myeon San 34 area (Gachi Breakwater) Section 6 Simdong-ri, Jisan-myeon San 9 area (Simdong Bridge) Section 7 Bojeon-ri, Jisan-myeon San 4 area (Bojeon Breakwater) Section 8 Sammak-ri, Imhoe-myeon Sammak-bong area Section 9 Sacheon-ri, Uisin-myeon Mt. Cheomchalsan area Table 2. Survey dates and methods Location Date Survey method Goseong-ri area Jul 6-7 Sherman’s trap Hyangdong-ri area Jul 7-8 Sherman’s trap, field signs and road-kill Sacheon-ri area Jul 7-8 Sherman’s trap and field signs Gojeong-ri area Jul 8 Field signs Gahak-ri area Jul 9 Field signs Simdong-ri area Jul 9 Field signs Bojeon-ri area Jul 9 Field signs Sammak-bong area Jul 8 Field signs Mt. Cheomchalsan area Jul 7-9 Field signs MATERIALS AND METHODS and was randomly selected among locations that had water courses and rocks around the intersection between meadows Field survey and forests. Additionally, the sizes, locations and ecological To identify objects, macroscopy, field signs (excretions, importance of rivers in each location were taken into ac­ foot prints, caves, etc.), road­kill investigation, and crying count. Survey locations were subdivided into nine sections discerning were used. Species identification was primarily (Table 1): Goseong­ri and Hyangdong­ri in Gogun­myeon, followed using Won (1967, 1968), Yoon (1992), and Yoon Sacheon­ri in Uisin­myeon, Gojeong­ri in Imhoe­myeon, et al. (2004). Village resident interviews were also carried Gahak­ri, Simdong­ri and Bojeon­ri in Jisan­myeon. For out. The observed excretions and footprints were identified wild rodents, considering that these are nocturnal animals, based on Choi and Choi (2007), while verifying habitat lo­ traps were placed after 4 PM and were checked the next cations through excretion observations were based on the morning. Information about the schedules, locations, and studies by Han (1997) and Choi et al. (2012). To explore the methods of the survey are summarized in Table 2. inhabitation of rodents, food attractants, such as sausages or fish cakes, were put in Sherman’s live traps spaced at 10 to 20 m apart. According to habitat types, rodent collection sites RESULTS AND DISCUSSION included grasslands, bush lands, mountainous area, wetlands, agricultural farms, and human settlement. Habitat informa­ Field survey results tion (e.g., pictures of excretions) and GPS coordinates of The mammals found on Jindo Island were from 5 orders and each location where legally protected species were found 9 families, including 12 species in total (Fig. 1, Table 3). They were recorded. The collected species were released after the were as follows: Mogera wogura, Crocidura shantungensis, identification process, whereas several objects necessary for Prionailurus bengalensis, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Lutra manufacturing samples were fixed using 80% ethanol and lutra, Mustela sibirica, Meles leucurus, Sus scrofa, Capre- transferred to our lab. olus pygargus, Hydropotes inermis, Lepus coreanus, and Apodemus agrarius. Among them, there were 3 species of Survey duration and locations small mammals: Mogera wogura, Crocidura shantungensis, The current survey was conducted on 6-9 Jul 2016. Each and Apodemus agrarius. Apodemus agrarius and Crocidura survey location was far away from villages or farmlands shantungensis were captured during trap investigations, and 74 Anim. Syst. Evol. Divers. Special Issue (9), 73-79 Mammals of Jindo Fig. 1. The current distribution status of mammals found in the Jindo-gun area. Table 3. Mammal status found in the Jindo-gun area in this survey Section no. Scientific name General name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Order Soricomorpha Mogera wogura Japanese mole - ◦ - - - - - ◦ ◦ Crocidura shantungensis Asian lesser white-toothed shrew - ◦ - - - - - - - Order Carnivora Prionailurus bengalensis Leopard cat - ◦ - ◦ - - - ◦ ◦ Nyctereutes procyonoides Raccoon dog - - - - - - - ◦ ◦ Lutra lutra Eurasian river otter - - - ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ - - Mustela sibirica Siberian weasel - ◦ - - - - - - - Meles leucurus Asian badger - - - - - - - - ◦ Order Artiodactyla Sus scrofa Wild boar - - - - - - - ◦ ◦ Capreolus pygargus Eastern roe deer - - - - - - - ◦ - Hydropotes inermis Chinese water deer ◦ - - ◦ ◦ - - ◦ ◦ Order Lagomorpha Lepus coreanus Korean hare - - - - - - - - ◦ Order Lagomorpha Apodemus agrarius Eurasian field mouse ◦ ◦ ◦ - - - - - - Total species (n=12) 2 5 1 3 2 2 1 6 7 Wild dogs and cats observed during the survey were excluded from the list. Anim. Syst. Evol. Divers. Special Issue (9), 73-79 75 Hong Shik Oh, Seon Mi Park, Yoo Kyung Kim, Sang Hyun Han, Hwa Jin Lee, Jeong Wook Ha A B C D E F G H I J K L Fig. 2. Survey areas and mammals found on Jindo Island. A, B, Hyangdong-ri, Gogun-myeon; C, D, Sacheon-ri, Uisin-myeon; E, F, Gojeong-ri, Imhoe-myeon; G, Excretions of Lutra lutra; H, Excretions of Prionailurus bengalensis; I, Excretions of Mustela sibirica; J, Tunnels of Mogera wogura; K, Apodemus agrarius; L, Crocidura shantungensis. the underground tunnels and road­kill carcass of Mogera inermis, Apodemus agrarius, and Lutra lutra. The 7th sec­ wogura were found. Moreover, the excretions of Mustela tion, Mt. Cheomchalsan area, had the most diverse collec­ sibirica, Prionailurus bengalensis (endangered wild animal tion of species among all the surveyed locations, with 7 spe­ class II and Lutra lutra (endangered wild animal class I) cies of mammals in total. were observed (Fig. 2). The coordinates of the locations where the excretions of Prionailurus bengalensis and Lutra Comparison with previous survey results lutra were found are presented in Table 4.