Habitat Characteristics and Growth Patterns of the Endangered Species Gobiobotia macrocephala Population in the Pyeongchanggang River,  Yeongwol,  Korea

Seung-Chul Park; dou pyo Hong; Jae Hoon Kim; Jaeseock Choi

doi:10.22698/jales.20250016

All Issue

2025 Vol.37, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Habitat Characteristics and Growth Patterns of the Endangered Species Gobiobotia macrocephala Population in the Pyeongchanggang River, Yeongwol, Korea

30 September 2025. pp. 192-207

PDF XML

Abstract

This study comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of the Gobiobotia macrocephala (Endangered Species Category II) population in the Pyeongchanggang River, Yeongwol, with the aim of securing ecological baseline data for the conservation of this species in river ecosystems threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. Our findings indicate that the Pyeongchanggang River provides a suitable habitat for G. macrocephala, characterized by a 7th-order stream with a wide channel and wet width, appropriate water depth, and a dominant substrate of large stones (boulders) and small stones (cobbles). Although the water quality was generally good, the high pH values observed at some stations highlighted the necessity for continuous monitoring. A total of 68 G. macrocephala individuals were identified, showing an increasing trend in abundance towards downstream stations. The absence of individuals in September was attributed to limited accessibility owing to high water levels following the rainy season. The mean total length and body weight were highest at St.1. The length-weight relationship (growth exponent of 3.36) and a positively sloped condition factor trend line clearly demonstrated the favorable growth and nutritional status of the Pyeongchanggang River G. macrocephala population. Age frequency distribution analysis revealed a diverse age structure, including age-0 to age-2+ individuals. The von Bertalanffy growth model (L_∞ 149.5 mm, k -0.30) further confirmed the stable structure and high growth potential of this population. In conclusion, the G. macrocephala population in the Pyeongchanggang River is currently in relatively healthy and stable conditions, indicating that the physical riverine habitat positively influences the survival of this species. This study provides crucial baseline data for understanding the ecological characteristics and current status of G. macrocephala populations, and will be valuable for comparative studies in other regions, contributing significantly to conservation and restoration strategies for this endangered species. However, ongoing vigilance and management strategies are essential to address potential environmental threats, such as high pH values, and anthropogenic disturbances, such as temporary riverine access roads, to ensure the long-term stability and persistence of the G. macrocephala populations.

Keywords

Length-weight relationship

Population ecology

River habitat

von Bertalanffy growth model

References

Anderson, R. O., Gutreuter, S. J. (1983) Length weight and associated structural indices. pp.283-300. American Fisheries Society, Maryland, USA.

Anderson, R. O., Neumann, R. M. (1996) Length, weight, and associated structural indices (2nd ed). pp.447-482. American Fisheries Society, Maryland, USA.

Busacker, G. P., Adelman, I. A., Goolish, E. M. (1990) Growth. pp.363-377. American Fisheries Society, Maryland, USA.

Chae, B. S., Song, H. B., Park, J. Y. (2019) A field guide to the freshwater fishes of Korea. p.353. LG Evergreen Foundation, Seoul, Korea.

Chambers, J. M., Cleveland, W. S., Kleiner, B., Tukey, P. A. (1983) Graphical methods for data analysis. p.336. Chapman and Hall/Cole Publishing Company, California, USA.

Choi, J. S., Jang, Y. S., Lee, K. Y., Kwon, O. K. (2004) Feeding habit of Gobiobotia macrocephala (Cyprinidae) from the Namhan river, Korea. Korean J Ichthyol 16:165-172.

Choi, J. S., Park, S. C., Jang, Y. S., Lee, K. Y., Choi, J. K. (2006) Population dynamics of Korean Chub (Zacco koreanus, Cyprinidae) in the upstream and downstream of lake Hoengseong. Korean J Environ Ecol 20:391-399.

Choi, K. C., Baek, Y. K. (1972) On the life-history of Gobiobotia macrocephala Mori. KJEE (Korean J Limol) 5:45-57.

Choi, K. C., Jeon, S. R., Kim, I. S., Son, Y. M. (2002) Coloured illustrations of the freshwater fishes of Korea. p.277. Hyangmunsa, Seoul, Korea.

Cummins, K. W. (1962) An evaluation of some techniques for the collection and analysis of benthic samples with special emphasis on lotic Waters. Am Midl Nat 67:477-504.

10.2307/2422722

Kim, I. S. (1997) Illustrated encyclopedia of fauna & flora of Korea (Vol.37 Freshwater Fishes). p.629. Ministry of Education, Seoul, Korea.

Kim, I. S., Choi, Y., Lee, C. L., Lee, Y. J., Kim, B. J., Kim, J. H. (2005) Illustrated book of Korean fishes. p.615. Kyohaksa Press Corporation, Seoul, Korea.

Ko, M. H., Kim, W. J., Park, S. Y., Bang, I. C. (2011a) Egg development and early life history of the endangered species Gobiobotia macrocephala (Cyprinidae). Korean J Ichthyol 23:198-205.

Ko, M. H., Moon, S. J., Bang, I. C. (2011b) Study of the fish community structure and inhabiting status of the endangered species Gobiobotia macrocephala and G. brevibarba in the Seom river, Korea. KJEE (Korean J Limol) 44:144-154.

Ko, M. H., Song, H. B., Choi, S. H., Song, H. Y., Kang, D. W., Moon, S. J., Lee, S. J., Bang, I. C. (2012a) Population estimates of the endangered species, Gobiobotia macrocephala (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in the Seom river, Korea. Korean J Ichthyol 24:177-182.

Ko, M. H., Song, H. Y., Bang, I. C. (2011c) Habitat environment, age and feeding ecology of the endangered species Gobiobotia macrocephala (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in the Seom river, Korea. Korean J Ichthyol 23:278-287.

Ko, M. H., Song, H. Y., Hong, Y. G., Bang, I. C. (2012b) Reproductive Ecology of an Endangered Species Gobiobotia macrocephala (Pisces: Cyprinidae), in Seom River, Korea. KJEE (Korean J Limol) 45:190-199.

Ministry of Environment (ME) (1996) Ministry of Environment Notice No. 1996-33 (March 6, 1996). Additional designation of certain wild plants (specific fish). Ministry of Environment. Seoul, Korea.

Ministry of Environment (ME) (2005) Ordinance No. 171 of the Ministry of Environment (Enacted on February 7, 2005). Attached Table 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act. Ministry of Environment. Seoul, Korea.

Ministry of Environment (ME) (2025) Ordinance No. 1149 of the Ministry of Environment (Partially amended on January 24, 2025). Attached Table 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act. Ministry of Environment. Sejong, Korea.

Ney, J. J. (1993) Practical use of biological statistics. pp.137-158. American Fisheris Society, Maryland, USA.

R Core Team (2012) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org/

Ricker, W. E. (1971) Methods for assessment of fish production in fresh waters; (IBP handbook no.3). p.326. Blackwell Scientific Publications, New Jersey, USA.

Rutherford, D. A., Echelle, A. A., Maughan, O. E. (1987) Changes in the fauna of the little river drainage, south eastern Oklahoma, 1948-1955 to 1981-1982: Test of the Hypothesis of environmental degradation. Community and evolutionary ecology of American stream fishes, Univ. of Oklahoma 178-183.

Song, H. B., Park, G. M. (2005) Karyotypes of three species of Gobiobotia (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in Korea. Korean J Ichthyol 17:159-166.

Strahler, A. N. (1957). Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology. EOS Trans AGU 38:913-920.

10.1029/TR038i006p00913

Von Bertalanffy, L. (1938) A quantitative theory of organic growth (inquiries on growth laws II). Hum Biol 10:181-213.

Walford, L. A. (1946) A new graphic method of describing the growth of animals. Biol Bull 90:141-147.

10.2307/1538217

Information

Publisher :Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University
Publisher(Ko) :None
Journal Title :Journal of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
Volume : 37
No :3
Pages :192-207
Received Date : 2025-06-12
Revised Date : 2025-07-14
Accepted Date : 2025-07-24
DOI :https://doi.org/10.22698/jales.20250016

Journal of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences ISSN:2233-8322(Print) 2508-870X(Online)

All Issue