Review Article |
Corresponding author: Jongok Lim ( jjongok79@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Francesco Vitali
© 2021 Seung-Gyu Lee, Bong-Woo Lee, Cheol-Hak Kim, Jung Hoon Kang, Seung-Hwan Oh, Jongok Lim.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Lee S-G, Lee B-W, Kim C-H, Kang JH, Oh S-H, Lim J (2021) Historical review and occurrence records of Callipogon relictus Semenov, 1899 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in Gwangneung Forest, South Korea with suggestions for species conservation. ZooKeys 1024: 1-29. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1024.61483
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Biodiversity has been declining and extinction rates have been exponentially increasing because of land use changes, invasion of exotic species, nutrient enrichment and climate change. In this scenario, many international networks such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature have been making efforts to raise conservation awareness and preserve species and their habitats in many countries. The relict longhorn beetle Callipogon relictus Semenov, 1899 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is the largest coleopteran species in the Palearctic region and has a unique distribution compared to its congeneric species. Callipogon relictus has been protected by two Korean laws since it was designated as a Korean Natural Monument and an Endangered Species in 1968 and 2012, respectively. To improve the conservation of this species, ecological and biological data were obtained from studies performed during the last 12 years on its populations in Gwangneung Forest, the fourth UNESCO biosphere reserve in South Korea. Previously scattered distribution records of C. relictus from South Korea from 1932 to 2007 are therefore summarized and ecological features of adults observed during fields studies performed from 2008 to 2019 are presented. Based on the summarized data, we suggest different management measures and conservation efforts to maintain the size of C. relictus populations in South Korea, which can also be further used in the restoration of other endangered insects.
Biodiversity, endangered species, longhorn beetle, natural monument, South Korea
Land use changes, invasion of exotic species, nutrient enrichment and climate change are factors that have been influencing global ecosystem changes (
In 2016, a total of 343 insect species were assessed as Endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list of Threatened species, among which 72 were coleopteran species (
Callipogon relictus was first described from Vladivostok, Eastern Russia (
Callipogon relictus is protected by the South Korean government because of its rapid decreases in population density. This species was designated as a Korean Natural Monument (No. 218) on November 25, 1968 and as an Endangered Species (Critically Endangered A1[a,c]; B1, B2[a]) on December 6, 2013 (
A living C. relictus female was found in Gwangneung Forest in 2006. After that, the ecological characteristics of the species were studied to determine the status of the populations in the forest. In 2014, a living male was found. Since then, a total of 16 adults have been recorded from this location, with individuals being found every year (
Historical data from 1932 to 2007 on distribution records and ecological features of C. relictus in South Korea were summarized. South Korean government policies, such as the designation of C. relictus as a Korean Natural Monument and Korean Endangered Species, were included in the data so that the efforts of the South Korean government regarding the conservation of C. relictus are considered.
The investigation site in Gwangneung Forest was near three towns, Namyangju, Pocheon and Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi province, South Korea (Fig.
This forest is a cool temperate forest and it is located in the central Korean Peninsula (37°42'36"–37°47'41"N, 127°8'20"–127°11'58"E) at 40–620 m a.s.l. (
The study was performed from June to September, which is the adult flight season. Surveys were especially concentrated from July to August, when C. relictus individuals were frequently found (
For daytime surveys, binoculars and naked-eye detection were used in the search for adults near the sap of host trees (Fig.
In 2017, one living female was collected and 16 eggs were obtained from that female (Fig.
Callipogon relictus breeding process under laboratory conditions A hatched larva B body length of a hatched larva C petri dish for breeding of instars 1–2 D feeding of larva in a petri dish E 850 ml bottle for breeding of instars 3–5 F 4200-ml bottle for breeding of instars 5–8 G matured larva H pupae.
Two adult males and three adult females that were the second generation of the female collected on July 20, 2017 were released on July 10, 2018 and August 16, 2018, respectively. After the release of each of these adults, behaviors such as flight and tree climbing behavior were observed and compared between daytime and night-time.
The distribution records of the species in South Korea from 1932 to 2007 are summarized in Table
Summary of the historical notes on Callipogon relictus Semenov in Korea (1932–2019) (*, Cultural Heritage Administration).
Reference | Main contents |
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– First record of C. relictus in Korea as “Macrotoma fisheri Waterhouse?” |
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– Historical review of 13 Korean cerambycids |
– Replacement of Macrotoma fisheri with Callipogon relictus | |
– New distribution record: Namjangdae in Mt. Bukhan (Seoul). | |
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– First record of a host plant, Carpinus laxiflora from Gwangneung Forest |
– Description of larvae and presentation of biometric data for body parts. | |
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– Checklist of 205 Korean cerambycids with synonyms and distribution range |
– Summary of distribution records of C. relictus in Korea: Chujeon-ri, Chuncheon; Georye-ri and Yuchon-ri, Hwacheon; Yanggu-eub, Yanggu; Mt. Bukhan, Seoul. | |
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– Presentation of the records of host plants of Korean cerambycid species |
– Records of two host plants, Quercus mongolica and Carpinus laxiflora | |
– Replacement of the Korean common name for cerambycids “Ha-nul-so” with “Ha-neul-so”. | |
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– First comprehensive taxonomic study on 217 Korean cerambycids |
– Description of the sexual dimorphism of C. relictus and distribution range of the species in Korea. | |
CHA* (1962) | – Designation of habitat, “Chujeon-ri, Buksan-myeon, Chuncheon-si”, as a Korean Natural Monument (No. 75). |
CHA* (1968) | – Designation of C. relictus as a Korean Natural Monument (No. 218). |
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– New distribution record of C. relictus: Cheokhak-dong, Sogeumgang (Gangwon Province). |
CHA* (1973) | – Cancellation of the designation of “Chujeon-ri, Buksan-myeon, Chuncheon-si” as a Korean Natural Monument (No. 75) because of habitat loss. |
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– Publication of “Distribution Atlas of Insects of Korea 1. Family Cerambycidae” |
– Presentation of C. relictus as “Callipogon (Callipogon) relictus (Semenov)”. | |
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– Publication of the results of a survey of C. relictus from Gwangneung and Sogeumgang. |
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– Publication of “Distribution Atlas of Insects of Korea. Series II. Coleoptera” |
– Records of five C. relictus host plant taxa from Korea, China, and Russia | |
– New distribution record of C. relictus: Cheongpyeong-ri, Buksan-myeon (Gangwon Province). | |
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– Presentation of checklist of 261 Korean cerambycids with photographs of C. relictus habitus. |
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– Announcement of the extinction of C. relictus in the Seoul region. |
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– Publication of a book listing 292 Korean cerambycid species with synonyms, distribution range, and pictures of each species, including C. relictus collected from Gwangneung Forest. |
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– Report on the morphological variations and ecological notes with the examination of 28 individuals. |
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– Publication of an illustrated book on Korean insects including pictures of two individuals and a living female of C. relictus collected from Gwangneung Forest. |
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– Publication of an illustrated book on Korean insects including picture of a living female C. relictus collected from Gwangneung Forest. |
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– Report on the ecological features of a female found in 2006 |
– Presentation of methods and efforts for the preservation of C. relictus in Korea | |
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– Publication of a book of 357 Korean cerambycid species with a brief morphological characteristics and ecological features in detail including pictures of specimens and individuals in nature. |
– Introduction of C. relictus with pictures of Korean individuals. | |
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– Publication of a book of 255 Korean cerambycid species with brief morphological and ecological features including pictures of specimens and individuals in nature. |
– Introduction of C. relictus with pictures of Chinese specimens and individuals in breeding. | |
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– Report of the results of an investigation of C. relictus in Gwangneung Forest from 2007–2017 |
– Comparison of results from Gwangneung Forest, Korea and Ussuri Nature Reserve, Russia | |
– New distribution record: Yangyang-gun, Gangwon Province. | |
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– New host record of C. relictus: Quercus aliena Blume |
– Summary of host species (17 species of 11 genera in seven families) of C. relictus from Korea, China, and Russia. |
Callipogon relictus was first recorded from the Korean peninsula by
On December 3, 1962, “Chujeon-ri, Buksan-myeon in Chuncheon-gun” (305,910 m2), one of the habitats of C. relictus, was designated as a Korean Natural Monument (“Habitat of Callipogon relictus in Chuncheon” [No. 75]) by the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea.
On November 25, 1968, the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea designated Callipogon relictus as a Korean Natural Monument (No. 218) because of its cultural rarity and academic significance.
On August 14, 1973, the “Habitat of C. relictus in Chuncheon”, which had been designated as Korean Natural Monument No. 75, was canceled because of habitat destruction resulting from the construction of a dam.
In the book “The Longicorn Beetles of the Korean Peninsula”
Photographs of C. relictus from Gwangneung Forest taken from 1978 to 2019 are herein presented (Figs
Month and date of Callipogon relictus Semenov detection from 2014–2019 in Gwangneung Forest, Korea.
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Total | ||
July (2♀) | 20 | ♀ | 1♀ | |||||
21 | ||||||||
22 | ||||||||
23 | ||||||||
24 | ||||||||
25 | ||||||||
26 | ||||||||
27 | ♀ | 1♀ | ||||||
28 | ||||||||
29 | ||||||||
30 | ||||||||
31 | ||||||||
August (10♂, 4♀) | 1 | ♂ | 1♂ | |||||
2 | ||||||||
3 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
5 | ||||||||
6 | ♂ | ♂, ♀ | 2♂, 1♀ | |||||
7 | ||||||||
8 | ||||||||
9 | ||||||||
10 | ♂ | 1♂ | ||||||
11 | ♀ | 1♀ | ||||||
12 | ||||||||
13 | ♂ | 1♂ | ||||||
14 | ♂ | ♀ | 1♂, 1♀ | |||||
15 | ||||||||
16 | ||||||||
17 | ||||||||
18 | ||||||||
19 | ♂ | |||||||
20 | ||||||||
21 | ||||||||
22 | ♂ | 1♂ | ||||||
23 | ||||||||
24 | ||||||||
25 | ||||||||
26 | ||||||||
27 | ♂, ♀ | 1♂, 1♀ | ||||||
28 | ♂ | 1♂ | ||||||
Total | 1♂ | 1♀ | 1♂ | 1♂, 2♀ | 3♂, 1♀ | 4♂, 2♀ | 10♂, 6♀ |
Callipogon relictus specimens registered by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea until 2019 (*: GF, Gwangneung Forest; SGG, Sogeumgang).
Depository | No. specimen | Collection locality* | |
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Institution | Korea Nat’l Arboretum | 6 (2♂, 4♀) | GF |
National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage | 14 (8♂, 5♀, 1 larva) | GF | |
University (Univ.) | Kyung Hee Univ. | 6 (4♂, 2♀) | GF |
Ewha Womans Univ. | 2 (1♂, 1♀) | ||
High School (HS) | Jeongeui Girls’ HS | 1 (1♀) | GF |
Paichai HS | 3 (1♂, 2♀) | GF, SGG | |
Namkang HS | 2 (1♂, 1♀) | GF | |
Paiwha Girls’ HS | 3 (1♂, 2♀) | GF | |
Private collection | G.J. Weon | 6 (2♂, 4♀) | GF |
S.S. Kim | 1 (1♂) | GF | |
K.C. Sohn | 2 (2♂) | GF | |
S.H. Oh | 2 (1♂, 1♀) | GF, SGG | |
Total | 48 (24♂, 23♀, 1 larva) |
The living male collected from Gwangneung Forest on August 19, 2014 (Fig.
Callipogon relictus found in 2014–2017 in Gwangneung Forest A living male found on August 19, 2014 B dead female found on July 27, 2015 C living male found on August 10, 2016 D living female found on July 20, 2017 E dead female found on August 11, 2017 F dead male found on August 14, 2017.
A dead female was found on July 27, 2015 (Fig.
On August 10, 2016, a living male was found (Fig.
In 2017, one living female and two dead adults (one male and one female) were found in Gwangneung Forest (Fig.
In 2018, two living males, one dead male and one living female were found and collected (Fig.
In 2019, a living male and female, two dead males and some body parts were found (Fig.
Three non-fertile females were released on Quercus sp. and Carpinus laxiflora. These specimens explored the tree bark with their antennae and tried to insert the ovipositor into cracks (oviposition behavior); however, no eggs were found in the cracks after the females were removed (Fig.
Callipogon relictus was observed to use the pro- and mesoclaws to climb trees while the metaclaws supported the body. When the claws slipped on smooth bark or trees covered with water and moss, the individual would bend the abdomen downward and the apex hung from the bark in a “C”-shape to support the heavy body and prevent the animal from falling, allowing it to climb the tree (Fig.
The species flight ability was relatively very good. The released adults climbed to the upper part of trees and flew for a long time (Figs
In the daytime, released individuals did not move for a long time, but they were vigilant about their surroundings (Fig.
Adults released at night were much less vigilant than those released during the day (Fig.
According to
As Gwangneung Forest is considered the optimal habitat of C. relictus in South Korea, an investigation on their species inhabitation status was continuously conducted in this location for a long period. Efforts such as weekly surveys from June to September in 1970, an intensive survey conducted by six researchers for six days in 1999 and surveys conducted over 30 times by a team of 12 experts from 2005 to 2006 found no C. relictus adults, indicating the low population density in Gwangneung Forest (
Previous studies reported the flight ability of C. relictus is poor.
Previous studies (
The species is usually found around the sap of oaks (Quercus spp.) or on the upper parts of the trees, near food sources or oviposition sites. Individuals that fell on the ground after competition with other large beetles, e.g. lucanids and Trypoxylus dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1771), or attacked by natural enemies (birds, mainly woodpeckers) were often found under oaks (Q. aliena and Q. serrata). After the individuals suffered severe injuries resulting from these interspecific encounters, especially because of their large size, they are unable to hide themselves; this exposure makes these individuals vulnerable to attacks, resulting in their eventual death.
Callipogon relictus adults and larvae are relatively large compared to other insects and they are popular with the South Korean public because of their strong appearance and large body. However, this results in the species being overcaught by people, which adds to the inability to quickly adapt to environmental changes, leading to its rapid population decrease. As it is legally protected in South Korea, various proposals have been made regarding the conservation of C. relictus. Nevertheless, although C. relictus has been protected as a Korean Natural Monument and an Endangered Species in South Korea, systematic management is necessary for the conservation of this species.
Callipogon relictus is recorded from East Asia and high-density populations have been reported in forest regions in North Korea and in border regions between China and North Korea (such as Mt. Baekdu) (
Gwangneung Forest is well known as the region where C. relictus is most frequently found in South Korea. Therefore, investigations have been conducted in the area continuously since 1999. However, because of its low population density, nocturnal habits and preference for the upper parts of trees, the detection of individuals is difficult. In this context, although some individuals have been found every year since 2014 (
Gwangneung Forest is currently known as the main C. relictus habitat in South Korea. However, the forest areas in Gangwon Province, which have vegetation and climate similar to that of Gwangneung Forest, and the military protected areas adjacent to the DMZ, should not be disregarded as potential habitats for C. relictus.
Gwangneung Forest was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve (2010), being the fourth area to be designated as such in South Korea after Seoraksan (1982), Jeju Island (2002) and Sinan (Dadohae) (2009). Only 24,465 ha of Gwangneung Forest was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, comprising ~2.4% of the countries land (total area 10,033,949 ha) but approximately 23% of the insect species recorded in South Korea (
As previously mentioned, Gwangneung Forest has been preserved for over 550 years. It has suffered little human interference and it is considered a climax forest with many loose-flower hornbeams (Carpinus laxiflora) and oaks (Quercus spp.) with DBH over 40 cm, thus providing an adequate habitat for C. relictus. However, the forest is located in a metropolitan area, being surrounded by Namyangju City, Uijeongbu City and Pocheon City, and has therefore suffered an ecological isolation phenomenon resulting from population growth, development and climate change. Moreover, although it is a climax forest in the temperate zone of the Korean Peninsula, the growing stock is of 277 m2/ha, i.e. 2.2 times the average of South Korea and with 37.7% of the trees being between 80 and 90 years old, which indicates a declining tendency in the vegetation (
The worldwide effects of climate change are currently being manifested in various forms. For 106 years (1912–2017), the annual average temperature in Gwangneung Forest rose by 0.18 °C every 10 years and the annual average minimum temperature increased by 0.24 °C every 10 years (
Molecular studies on C. relictus would allow the inference of the origin and of the systematic relationships among the known populations of the species throughout its distribution area. The Korea National Arboretum performed a COI barcode sequence analysis (
The Korea National Arboretum plans to conduct a study on domestic and foreign C. relictus populations with the contribution of research institutes of other countries. Microsatellites, single nucleotide polymorphism markers and Next Generation Sequencing should then be used for genetic linkage mapping and the identification of populations. The knowledge obtained with these techniques can also be used to preserve the genetic uniqueness of the Korean populations by preventing the introgression of artificial foreign populations and to explore functional genes and develop them as genetic resources.
Before 1980, the Korean populations were widely distributed in the northern part of Gangwon Province (
For the proposed conservation measures to be implemented, a comprehensive conservation policy must be established through continuous communication among the provincial and metropolitan jurisdictions and groups of experts such as those from the Korean National Arboretum. Moreover, the changes in the buffer zone of the Korea National Arboretum must be performed, together with the maintenance of a friendly relationship with local residents of the area, which can be done through raising awareness and education on the importance and value of the species as a future ecotourism resource (Fig.
Scientific events, advertisements and educational efforts for the promotion of public awareness regarding the conservation of endangered species such as Callipogon relictus A, B ceremony for the first restoration of C. relictus in Gwangneung Forest in 2018 C, D special exhibition on C. relictus at Korea National Arboretum in 2018.
All actions, including the collection, rearing and releasing of C. relictus, require the authorization of the government based on the “Cultural Heritage Protection Act”, which is a process that includes several administrative steps. Herein, we explain the process that should be followed (Fig.
We deeply thank many colleagues from the Korea National Arboretum for the long-term investigation on Callipogon relictus in Gwangneung Forest and Mr. Sa-Beom Jang from Korea National Arboretum for the identification of host plants. We would like to thank Editage (http://www.editage.co.kr) for English-language editing.
This work was supported by the Korea National Arboretum, Korea Forest Service [KNA1-2-36, 20-2].