Abstract
The Black-spotted Pond Frog, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, is widely distributed across mainland China, Korean Peninsula, and Japan. The taxonomic relationships among P. n. nigromaculatus, Rana nigromaculata mongolia (sensu P. n. mongolicus), and P. tenggerensis have long been ambiguous. Here we examine the topotype specimens of P. tenggerensis and R. n. mongolia, and provide phylogenic analyses based on four mitochondrial DNA sequences. The combined evidences from morphology and molecular phylogeny have shown the distinct specific-level of P. n. mongolicus that distant from P. nigromaculatus, while indicating the homogeneity between P. n. mongolicus and P. tenggerensis. Thus, we suggest elevating P. n. mongolicus as a full species Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov., and place P. tenggerensis to be a secondary synonym of P. mongolicus comb. nov.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
