Proximate Composition, Predictive Analysis and Allometric Relationships, of the Edible Water Frog (Pelophylax epeiroticus) in Lake Pamvotida (Northwest Greece)

Marianthi Hatziioannou,Dimitris Klaoudatos,Efkarpia Kougiagka,Ioannis Karapanagiotidis

doi:10.3390/su14063150

Abstract

The edible water frog Pelophylax epeiroticus, distributed mainly in Northwest Greece and utilized commercially as food, was investigated in lake Pamvotida (Ioannina). The objective was to assess aspects of population structure (sex ratio, morphometric characteristics, allometric relationships) and proximate composition of the Epirus water frog (Pelophylax epeiroticus). Commercial samples (31 females and 54 males) were obtained and sex ratio, morphometric characteristics, allometric relationships and proximate composition were assessed. A significantly lower abundance of females was indicated (31 females and 54 males). Body length range was higher in females (females 3.4 mm, males 2.6 mm), whereas total weight range was higher in males (females 45.08 gr, males 48.35 gr). Differences in allometric relationships were indicated between sexes. The high protein (15.93 ± 3.32) and low lipid (0.25 ± 0.13) contents indicated that P. epeiroticus is an excellent food source of high nutritional value. A tree classification algorithm indicated that the principal contributing component for sex classification was dry matter, followed by a proportion of edible flesh and protein content. A predicted future increase in demand for wild-caught individuals requires the use of a suitable management plan, coupled with the development of farming practices aiming to assure the sustainable exploitation of this important resource and alleviate the pressure on its populations.

Highlights

Pelophylax epeiroticus is an edible water frog species native to the Ionian zone [1], distributed mainly in the western part of Greece along the Ionian coast, including the island of Kerkyra [2]
The populations of P. epeiroticus (Epirus Water Frog) are suspected to be decreasing due to ongoing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, improved management measures are required for the protected areas and Natura
The aim of this study was to contribute to the literature of the Epirus water frog Pelophylax epeiroticus in Lake Pamvotida (Ioannina) on aspects of population structure through assessing sex ratio, morphometric characteristics and allometric relationships

Summary

Introduction

Pelophylax epeiroticus is an edible water frog species native to the Ionian zone [1], distributed mainly in the western part of Greece along the Ionian coast, including the island of Kerkyra [2]. The species is present in Albania; the main part of its range is within Greece [3]. The western Palaearctic water frog of the genus Pelophylax includes several distinct species and has been investigated in several phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological studies [4–10]. The populations of P. epeiroticus (Epirus Water Frog) are suspected to be decreasing due to ongoing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, improved management measures are required for the protected areas and Natura. There is no evidence that the species is collected excessively in Albania, despite the 2008 assessment that reported an established fishery harvesting measurable quantities [3], and Greece [11]

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Conclusion