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영어

Nowadays after finding new or interesting animals in the wild, many people mention about the genetic test for precise identification of the species and revealing their biogeographic and genealogical origin. The current genetic technology is an essential part in conservation biology such as molecular identification, sex determination, animal counting, population management, parentage test and forensic study so on. The Species Restoration Technology Institute (SRTI) of Korea National Park Service (KNPS), South Korea, has been conducting the molecular analysis for endangered animals related to genetics, reproduction, and ecology so far. In this year, we constructed a pedigree of the Asiatic black bear population reintroduced in the Jirisan National Park (JNP) and their progeny. In May, an Asiatic black bear has been hit by the bus on highway nearby the JNP, then we identified this bear based on the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome B gene and the genotype distribution of microsatellite (MS) markers in May, 2018. In addition, we verified that two newborn cubs of Asiatic black bear were born by artificial insemination but not natural mating throughout comparing their MS genotypes with those from candidate fathers and mothers in this year. For the long-tailed goral restoration program, we are analyzing genetic information to explain the genetic structure, biogeographical distribution and inter population correlation in South Korea. MtDNA and Y-chromosomal genes and MS genotypes are employing to determine their maternal and paternal lineages of local populations and to reveal genetic correlation among populations. In addition, the SRTI is trying to identify the species, to determine sexes and to count the individuals for herbivore scat and hairs collected from the wild especially national parks of South Korea. For example, herbivore’s pellet samples supposed as the long-tailed goral were taken from two national parks located in southern part of Korean Peninsula in this year, but those samples were finalized as roe deer, water deer and feral goats. Recently, we identified two individuals (a male and a female) of the long-tailed goral and one water deer from the collections in the eastern borderline (Mt. Yongmasan) of the metropolitan city Seoul in this summer, and provided current status of inhabitation of these two herbivores based on the results of molecular tests. For the Red fox restoration program, we are examining the haplotype distribution of mtDNA genes for verifying that the candidate animals are phylogenetically north-eastern Asian origin. The familial structure of candidate animals was also analyzing for avoiding inbreeding during proliferation between new and previously introduced red foxes after reintroduction from China. In addition, we are trying to distinguish the red fox and its competitors using scat specimens from the red fox releasing place. Dietary analyses have also been trying to make up the profile of food items and to reveal the dietary patterns for better understanding behavioral ecology and for preparing management by the next-generation DNA sequencing technique. In conclusion, genetic approaches could be the assisted method for understanding the endangered animals as providing their identities, phylogenetic relationship, hereditary characteristics, genetic correlation among populations and ecological information, which plays important roles in conservation and management of the interesting animals in the wild.