Abstract

Fish fauna of mountain streams in the Jirisan National Park area of S. Korea (total area: 440.45 km2, height: 1,915 m) was investigated at 33 sites from May 1997 to September 1999. A total of 4,670 individuals of fishes were collected and classified into 30 species and 12 families. Zacco temmincki (relative abundance (RA), 63.9%) was found to be the most abundant inhabitant. Subdominant species were Pungtungia herzi (RA 6.2%), Zacco platypus (RA 6.1%) and Coreoleusiscus splendidus (RA 4.8%). Among the total species, 13 species were identified as the Korean endemic species (7 families, 17.2% of 802 individuals). Dominant Korean endemic species was C. splendidus (relative abundance endemics (RAE), 27.8%). Superiors were Coreoperca herzi (RAE 21.8%) and Liobagrus mediadiposalis (RAE 19.8%). One exotic species (Oncorhynchus mykiss, a site and 5 ind.) and translated species (Hypmesus niponensis, two sites and 174 ind.) were collected in this survey. The proportion of Korean endemic species in the park (43.3%) was higher than the average of Korean Peninsular (25.9%). From this study, we conclude that the Jirisan National Park area in Korea would be very important for fish diversity and conservation, especially for the Korean endemic and endangered species.