Genetic evidence for a distinct Pelodytes lineage in southwest Portugal: implications for the use of pre-developed microsatellite markers

Abstract

For population genetic analyses of Parsley frogs in Iberia we initially used microsatellite markers previously developed for Pelodytes punctatus in southwest Portugal. However, several loci indicated a strong signal of amplification failure for individuals from northern Spain. Cryptic species or genetic entities are suspected to occur in southwest Portugal on the basis of studies with other species and understanding cryptic diversity is a concern as amphibian habitat, temporary ponds in traditional Mediterranean farmland, is disappearing at a fast rate. Our study revealed a new Pelodytes lineage in southwest Portugal which appears to be discrete. However, the rare occurrence of a distinct mitochondrial haplotype from its sister species, despite no nuclear differentiation, is a signature of introgression indicating that reproductive isolation is not complete.