Mihojonggae

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.454

Category

동식물

Designated year

2005

Location

., 기타—

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

When the Miho Mud Loach was announced as a new species in 1984, its distribution was extremely limited to the Miho River water system within Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, but the population was abundant. Currently, it has almost disappeared from this region, and only a small number remain in the Yugu Stream, an additional confirmed distribution area, facing near extinction. The rapid decline is caused by habitat destruction from sand mining and water pollution. It is distributed in the Miho River water system in Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, and Yugu Stream in Sagok-myeon, Gongju County, South Chungcheong Province. It inhabits shallow riffles less than 1m deep with gentle currents, with breeding season estimated at May-June. Body length is approximately 60-80mm with a thick body center but slender, elongated anterior and posterior portions. The snout is pointed and protruding with the mouth positioned below. It has 3 pairs of short barbels, and an incomplete lateral line. The basic body color is pale yellow with 12-17 circular or triangular spots on the central side of the body, and 3 rows of dark brown spots on the dorsal and caudal fins. Due to water pollution from agricultural, industrial, livestock, and domestic wastewater, it has nearly disappeared from the Miho River, while only a few individuals have been confirmed in the Yugu Stream in recent intensive surveys. With extremely limited distribution range, sparse population, and high sensitivity to environmental changes, it currently faces extinction.