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Many eusocial insects, including ants, show complex colony structures, distributions, and reproductive strategies. In the ant Vollenhovia emeryi Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae), queens and males are produced clonally, while sterile workers arise sexually, unlike other ant species and Hymenopteran insects in general. Furthermore, there is a wing length polymorphism in the queen caste. Despite its evolutionary remarkable traits, little is known about the population structure of this ant species, which may provide insight into its unique reproductive mode and polymorphic traits. We performed in‐depth analyses of ant populations from Korea, Japan, and North America using three mitochondrial genes (COI, COII, and Cytb). The long‐winged (L) morph is predominant in Korean populations, and the short‐winged (S) morph is very rare. Interestingly, all L morphs were infected with Wolbachia, while all Korean S morphs lacked Wolbachia, demonstrating a association between a symbiont and a phenotypic trait. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the S morph is derived from the L morph. We propose that the S morph is associated with potential resistance to Wolbachia infection and that Wolbachia infection does not influence clonal reproduction (as is the case in other ant species).

Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis, and Nephelium lappaceum are commercially valuable subtropical and tropical fruits of the Sapindaceae family. Arillus and seeds of the three species have very similar morphologies, however, the arillus of D. longan is used as the herbal medicine Longan Arillus and seeds of L. chinensis are used as Litchi Semen in Korean and Chinese pharmacopoeias. The adulteration of herbal medicines with inauthentic species, including the use of Aril and seed fractions acquired from a single species for two herbal medicines (e.g., Longan Arillus and Litchi Semen), is often driven by economic motives. DNA markers are a tool for the detection of adulterants in commercial products. To establish rapid and reliable assays for the genetic identification of authentic Longan Arillus and Litchi Semen, we developed DNA markers with high specificity and sensitivity based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The newly developed DNA markers and multiplex PCR assay may contribute to efforts to protect against adulteration, quality control, and the standardization of herbal medicines.

To ensure the safety, quality and therapeutic efficacy of processed foods and herbal medicines, it is important to identify and discriminate economically motivated adulterants. Zanthoxylum schinifolium is sold at a higher price than other Zanthoxylum species and is frequently adulterated with closely related Zanthoxylum species because of its high demand as a Korean food ingredient and medicinal material in markets. In addition, the pericarps of three Zanthoxylum species (Z. schinifolium, Z. bungeanum and Z. piperitum) are defined as herbal medicine Zanthoxyli Pericarpium in Korean pharmacopoeias, but not Z. piperitum in Chinese pharmacopoeias. Further confusion arises in the morphological similarity between Z. armatum (adulterant) and Z. bungeanum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker for discrimination of four Zanthoxylum species.; Results: With the goal of developing rapid and reliable tools for genetic discrimination of authentic Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, we designed species-specific SCAR markers, based on ITS2 sequences, that generate amplicons of less than 200 bp. Using these markers, we established both conventional and real-time PCR assay methods capable of differentiating samples at the species level. We validated the ability of SCAR markers to authenticate edible oil and herbal medicine, and confirmed that some herbal medicines contaminated with Z. armatum are being distributed as Zanthoxyli Pericarpium in Korean and Chinese markets.; Conclusions: The SCAR markers and PCR methods described represent powerful tools for protecting against adulteration and ensuring standardization of processed foods and herbal medicine. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Gekko gecko is used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including respiratory disorders in northeast Asian countries, mainly Korea, Japan, and China. Aim of the study Allergic asthma is a chronic respiratory disease caused by an inappropriate immune response. Due to the recent spread of coronavirus disease 2019, interest in the treatment of pulmonary disorders has rapidly increased. In this study, we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects of G. gecko extract (GGE) using an established mouse model of ovalbumin-induced asthma. Materials and methods To evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of GGE, we evaluated histological changes and the responses of inflammatory mediators related to allergic airway inflammation. Furthermore, we investigated the regulatory effects of GGE on type 2 helper T (Th2) cell activation. Results Administration of GGE attenuated asthmatic phenotypes, including inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and expression of Th2 cytokines. Furthermore, GGE treatment reduced Th2 cell activation and differentiation. Conclusions These results indicate that GGE alleviates allergic airway inflammation by regulating Th2 cell activation and differentiation.

Adulterants in processed food and herbal medicines reduce their safety, quality control, or pharmacological efficacy. Four mistletoe species, including Viscum coloratum, inhabit Korea. Leaves and branches of V. coloratum, defined as edible or medicinal mistletoe species in Korean, are used to prepare Korean herbal medicines as well as leached tea. However, other mistletoe species including Taxillus sutchuenensis var. duclouxii, Korthalsella japonica, and Loranthus tanakae are frequently distributed as authentic V. coloratum in Korean markets because of similarities in the branches morphology and Korean names of these species with V. coloratum. Although herbal medicines and food products prepared from the other mistletoe species are inauthentic, they are sold at high prices because of the rarity of these species. Thus, it is important to distinguish between authentic and inauthentic adulterant mistletoe species. In this study, we developed species-specific primer, based on matK sequences, suitable for both conventional PCR and real time PCR (qPCR) assay. These assays allowed rapid discrimination among all four mistletoe species. Moreover, qPCR assay enabled the detection of trace amounts of adulterant mistletoe species in V. coloratum samples. Furthermore, we used these assays to monitor commercial mistletoe products distributed in Korean markets. Our data suggest that these methods would serve as a reliable genetic tool to prevent adulteration and standardize the quality of commercial V. coloratum products.

Background Wolbachia are among the most prevalent endosymbiotic bacteria and induce reproductive anomalies in various invertebrate taxa. The bacterium has huge impacts on host reproductive biology, immunity, evolution, and molecular machinery. However, broad-scale surveys of Wolbachia infections at the order scale, including the order Coleoptera, are limited. In this study, we investigated the Wolbachia infection frequency in 201 Coleopteran insects collected in Korea. Results A total of 26 species (12.8%) belonging to 11 families harbored Wolbachia. The phylogenetic trees of based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences and partial Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene sequences were largely incongruent to that of their hosts. This result confirms that Wolbachia evolved independently from their hosts, Conclusion Phylogenetic trees suggest that complex horizontal gene transfer and recombination events occurred within and between divergent Wolbachia subgroups.

Background Ikonnikov’s whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b). Results The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited. Conclusions This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi. We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.

The accurate identification of plant species is of great concern for the quality control of herbal medicines. The Korean Pharmacopoeia and the Pharmacopoeia of the People&rsquo, s Republic of China define Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baek-Ji in Korean and Bai-zhi in Chinese) as the dried roots of Angelica dahurica or A. dahurica var. formosana belonging to the family Apiaceae. Discrimination among Angelica species on the basis of morphological characteristics is difficult due to their extremely polymorphic traits and controversial taxonomic history. Furthermore, dried roots processed for medicinal applications are indistinguishable using conventional methods. DNA barcoding is a useful and reliable method for the identification of species. In this study, we sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal RNA genes in A. dahurica, A. dahurica var. formosana, and the related species A. anomala and A. japonica. Using these sequences, we designed species-specific primers, and developed and optimized a multiplex sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) assay that can simply and rapidly identify respective species, and verify the contamination of adulterant depending on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification without sequencing analysis in a single PCR reaction. This assay successfully identified commercial samples of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix collected from Korean and Chinese herbal markets, and distinguished them from adulterants. This multiplex SCAR assay shows a great potential in reducing the time and cost involved in the identification of genuine Angelicae Dahuricae Radix and adulterant contamination.

Dried roots of Dipsacus asper (Caprifoliaceae) are used as important traditional herbal medicines in Korea. However, the roots are often used as a mixture or contaminated with Dipsacus japonicus in Korean herbal markets. Furthermore, the dried roots of Phlomoides umbrosa (Lamiaceae) are used indiscriminately with those of D. asper, with the confusing Korean names of Sok-Dan and Han-Sok-Dan for D. asper and P. umbrosa, respectively. Although D. asper and P. umbrosa are important herbal medicines, the molecular marker and genomic information available for these species are limited. In this study, we analysed DNA barcodes to distinguish among D. asper, D. japonicus, and P. umbrosa and sequenced the chloroplast (CP) genomes of D. asper and D. japonicus. The CP genomes of D. asper and D. japonicus were 160,530 and 160,371 bp in length, respectively, and were highly divergent from those of the other Caprifoliaceae species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a monophyletic group within Caprifoliaceae. We also developed a novel sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR) markers to distinguish among D. asper, D. japonicus, and P. umbrosa. Our results provide important taxonomic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary information on the Dipsacus species. The SCAR markers developed here will be useful for the authentication of herbal medicines.

Ipomoea L. is the largest genus within the Convolvulaceae and contains 600-700 species. Ipomoea species (morning glories) are economically valuable as horticultural species and scientifically valuable as ecological model plants to investigate mating systems, molecular evolution, and both plant-herbivore and plant-parasite interactions. Furthermore, the dried seeds of I. nil or I. purpurea are used in Korean traditional herbal medicines. In this study, chloroplast (cp) genomes were sequenced from six Ipomoea species, namely, I. nil and I. purpurea and, for the first time, I. triloba, I. lacunosa, I. hederacea, and I. hederacea var. integriuscula. The cp genomes were 161,354 -161,750 bp in length and exhibited conserved quadripartite structures. In total, 112 genes were identified, including 78 protein-coding regions, 30 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and four ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The gene order, content, and orientation of the six Ipomoea cp genomes were highly conserved and were consistent with the general structure of angiosperm cp genomes. Comparison of the six Ipomoea cp genomes revealed locally divergent regions, mainly within intergenic spacer regions (petN-psbM, trnI-CAU-ycf2, ndhH-ndhF, psbC-trnS, and ccsA-ndhD). In addition, the protein-coding genes accD, cemA, and ycf2 exhibited high sequence variability and were under positive selection (Ka/Ks >1), indicating adaptive evolution to the environment within the Ipomoea genus. Phylogenetic analysis of the six Ipomoea species revealed that these species clustered according to the APG IV system. In particular, I. nil and I. headrace had monophyletic positions, with I. purpurea as a sister. I. triloba and I. lacunosa in the section Batatas and I. hederacea and I. hederacea var. integriuscula in the section Quamoclit were supported in this study with strong bootstrap values and posterior probabilities. We uncovered high-resolution phylogenetic relationships between Ipomoeeae. Finally, indel markers (IPOTY and IPOYCF1) were developed for the discrimination of the important herbal medicine species I. nil and I. purpurea. The cp genomes and analyses in this study provide useful information for taxonomic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary analysis of the Ipomoea genome, and the indel markers will be useful for authentication of herbal medicines.

Dried rhizomes of Actaea heracleifolia, used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine, are frequently adulterated with other plant species. For accurate species identification, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of A. heracleifolia using Illumina MiSeq. A. heracleifolia harbours a 159,578 bp chloroplast genome comprising a large single-copy region (88,770 bp), small single-copy region (18,070 bp) and two inverted repeat (IR) regions (IRa and IRb; each 26,519 bp). The chloroplast genome contains 112 unique genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 4 ribosomal RNA genes, and 30 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. heracleifolia was closely related to Gymnaconitum gymnandrum.

Sanguisorba × tenuifolia Fisch. ex Link is an important herbal medicine. To facilitate species identification, we sequenced its complete chloroplast genome using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The data show that the chloroplast genome of S. × tenuifolia is 155,403 bp in size, comprising an 85,525 bp large single-copy (LSC) region, a 18,726 bp small single-copy (SSC) region, and two inverted repeats (IR) regions, IRa and IRb (each 25,576 bp). The genome contains 112 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNAs genes, and 30 transfer RNAs genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. × tenuifolia is most closely related to Hagenia abyssinica.

Cuscuta pentagona is a parasitic plant whose seeds are often mixed with the seeds of medicinal Cuscuta species. To facilitate the identification of C. pentagona seeds, we generated the complete chl...

Cnidium officinale (Ligusticum officinale) is an important herbal medicine. To facilitate species identification, we determined the complete chloroplast genome of C. officinale using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The genome was 148,518 bp in length, comprising a large single copy (LSC) region of 93,977 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,607 bp, and two inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 18,467 bp each. The genome contains 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and 30 transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. officinale is most closely related to L. tenuissium, with high bootstrap values.

Accurate detection and differentiation of adulterants in food ingredients and herbal medicines are crucial for the safety and basic quality control of these products. Ophiocordyceps sinensis is described as the only fungal source for the authentic medicinal ingredient used in the herbal medicine &ldquo, Cordyceps&rdquo, and two other fungal species, Cordyceps militaris and Isaria tenuipes, are the authentic fungal sources for food ingredients in Korea. However, substitution of these three species, and adulteration of herbal material and dietary supplements originating from Cordyceps pruinosa or Isaria cicadae, seriously affects the safety and reduces the therapeutic efficacy of these products. Distinguishing between these species based on their morphological features is very difficult, especially in commercially processed products. In this study, we employed DNA barcode-based species-specific sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers to discriminate authentic herbal Cordyceps medicines and Cordyceps-derived dietary supplements from related but inauthentic species. The reliable authentication tool exploited the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of a nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrDNA). We used comparative nrDNA-ITS sequence analysis of the five fungal species to design two sets of SCAR markers. Furthermore, we used a set of species-specific SCAR markers to establish a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of species, contamination, and degree of adulteration. We confirmed the discriminability and reproducibility of the SCAR marker analysis and the real-time PCR assay using commercially processed food ingredients and herbal medicines. The developed SCAR markers may be used to efficiently differentiate authentic material from their related adulterants on a species level. The ITS-based SCAR markers and the real-time PCR assay constitute a useful genetic tool for preventing the adulteration of Cordyceps and Cordyceps-related dietary supplements.