Population genetic structure and evolutionary demographic patterns of Phrynoderma karaavali, an edible frog species of Kerala, India

Abstract

Trade and collection of edible frogs are banned in India. We used mitochondrial (16 and 12S DNA) and nuclear gene (Rag-1 and Rhodopsin) sequences to examine the population genetic and demographic structure of an edible frog species, Phrynoderma karaavali (Karaavali Skittering frog) from Kerala as it exist after the ban. Frogs from 11 sites show high mtDNA haplotype and nDNA diversity which indicates a stable or expanding population. The evolutionary demographic pattern suggests population expansion across its geographical range, even though the species is still subject to poaching. Two major population clusters were observed at the northern and southern end of the species range. Gene flow occurs despite of geographic barriers. Genetic distance increases with geographical distance. P. karaavali diverged from its sister species in Phrynoderma around 11 mya in the late Miocene.