DNA Barcoding of Chironomid Larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Large Rivers in South Korea to Facilitate Freshwater Biomonitoring and Public Health Surveillance

Hyo Jeong Kang, Min Jeong Baek, Ji Hyoun Kang and Yeon Jae Bae ()
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Hyo Jeong Kang: Department of Life Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
Min Jeong Baek: National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Korea
Ji Hyoun Kang: Korean Entomological Institute, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
Yeon Jae Bae: Korean Entomological Institute, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: Chironomid larvae are among the dominant benthic macroinvertebrates in all types of water systems in South Korea. They may pass through pipes in rivers (raw water) and occur in drinking water, thus creating public health issues. However, little is known about the larval stages of chironomids in large South Korean rivers. Therefore, we examined larval–adult associations in chironomids inhabiting major rivers used as water sources. The larvae were collected in 2015 and 2016 from nine locations along the four largest rivers in South Korea using a Ponar grab. Cytochrome oxidase subunit I ( COI ) sequences were generated from the larval specimens, and the species were identified by comparing these sequences to those in a newly constructed DNA barcode library of Chironomidae in South Korea. The samples from the four rivers yielded 61 mitochondrial COI sequences belonging to 18 species, including Hydrobaenus kondoi Saether, 1989, which was reported for the first time in the Korean Peninsula. Further, morphological identification of the larvae was conducted, and a pictorial taxonomic key to Chironomidae species in large rivers in South Korea was developed to facilitate freshwater biomonitoring research. Finally, an action flow chart was created for the rapid identification of chironomid larvae in infested drinking water or water purification facilities.

Keywords: large river Chironomidae; DNA barcode library; larval-adult association; rapid identification protocol; South Korean rivers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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