"Not All Anchovies Are the Same"... National Pukyong University Student Wins Top Award at Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science International Conference

Ryu Hyunjun Unveils Skeletal Development Patterns in Thryssa kammalensis Larvae

A student from National Pukyong University has won the top presentation award at an international academic conference organized by the Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science.

National Pukyong University (President Bae Sanghoon) announced on the 19th that Ryu Hyunjun, a master's degree student in the Department of Marine Biology, recently received the Best Poster Presentation Award at the 2025 International Academic Conference of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science (President Lee Yongseok), held at BEXCO in Busan.

Ryu Hyunjun presented his paper, "Osteological Development of Larvae and Juveniles for Thryssa kammalensis (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from Korea" (supervised by Professor Kim Jingu), in the fish taxonomy, ecology, and genetics session of the conference, earning recognition for his research achievements.

This study drew attention by presenting the world's first analysis of the skeletal development process during the early life stages of Thryssa kammalensis larvae and juveniles.

Thryssa kammalensis is a species commonly collected along the southern coast of the West Sea in Korea, and its external morphological features closely resemble those of other Engraulidae species, making species identification difficult. Ryu classified the larvae by size according to developmental stage and clarified the patterns of skeletal development through skeletal staining processes.

The research revealed distinguishing characteristics that clearly separate Thryssa kammalensis from more advanced taxa, such as the presence of the mesethmoid and coraco-scapula, and the blunt and bulging posterior end of the parasphenoid.

Professor Kim Jingu, Ryu's academic advisor at National Pukyong University, stated, "This research provides detailed information on the skeletal development of seven skeletal regions, including the neurocranium, in Thryssa kammalensis larvae. We expect it will contribute to elucidating the evolutionary history of Engraulidae, which belong to a lower taxonomic group."

Ryu Hyunjun, Master's Degree Student at National Pukyong University.

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