Anuran Diversity Research Articles

Diversity of anurans and use of microhabitats in three vegetation coverages of the Santuario de Flora y Fauna Los Colorados, Colombian Caribbean

This study aimed to determine anuran diversity and the use of microhabitats in 3 vegetation covers in the Santuario de Flora y Fauna Los Colorados. Five field trips of 6 days each were made, 2 days and 2 nights in each cover: forest, pasture, and crop. Sampling was carried out with the visual encounter inspection technique under a randomized design by random walks with manual capture. A total of 19 species were recorded, 14 in the forest, 13 in pasture, and 12 in crop. Pasture and crop were the vegetation covers with the greatest similarity of species. This work updates the list of anuran species recorded in the management plan of the Santuario de Flora y Fauna Los Colorados 2018-2023. The greatest number of anuran species was associated with leaf litter, "jagüeyes", and soils. The transformation of the landscape as a result of agriculture and cattle ranching generated changes in the richness, abundance, composition, and use of microhabitats of the anurans present in the Santuario de Flora y Fauna Los Colorados.

Stranger things: on the novel buccopharyngeal anatomy and functional morphology of ‘sand-eating’ Malagasy tadpoles (Anura: Mantellidae: Mantidactylus)

Abstract Anuran larvae are characterized by an extensive array of specialized oral structures that allow them to both graze on substrates and suspension feed with great efficiency. Diversity in these feeding structures accounts for significant diversity of anurans. Herein we describe an astonishing novel buccopharyngeal morphology in six larvae of ‘sand-eating’ tadpoles of the Mantellidae genus Mantidactylus. The buccopharyngeal cavity of these tadpoles is characterized by the presence of ruffled ridges not seen previously in any other anuran larva. Extensive review of the literature and of new empirical data demonstrates the uniqueness of this morphology. We present both CT scans and ergonomic arguments in support of the hypothesis that the ruffled ridges are employed as scrubbing pads, allowing these tadpoles to remove food particles from sand grains. In addition, we explore how the ridges may have developed and evolved.

Anuran occupancy varies with stream characteristics and flow across Arizona wilderness areas

Abstract Riparian ecosystems comprise less than 2% of the landscape in the arid western United States, yet they provide habitat and resources to over half of arid‐land wildlife species, including a broad diversity of anurans (frogs and toads). Despite this, relatively few studies describe riparian herpetofaunal communities in the Southwest, and remote wilderness areas are particularly undersurveyed. We employed passive acoustic monitoring to capture anuran advertisement calls in wilderness area tributaries of the Verde River, Arizona, USA. In the spring and summer of 2021 and 2022, 13–29 autonomous recording units (ARUs) were deployed along perennial, intermittent and ephemeral tributary stream reaches. We characterized sites based on the per cent of pool, riffle, run and side channel habitat within 100 m of each ARU and quantified substrate, wetted channel width and canopy cover. To relate anuran occupancy to environmental and hydrological variables, we evaluated acoustic detection data using single‐species, single‐season occupancy models. Four species were detected in this study: canyon treefrog (Hyla arenicolor), red‐spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus), Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) and non‐native American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), with canyon treefrog being the most ubiquitous species observed. Vocal activity of canyon treefrog was higher at perennial and intermittent sites compared to ephemeral sites, and the presence of pools was most strongly associated with canyon treefrog occupancy. Persistent, slow‐moving water best predicted the presence of breeding canyon treefrogs. Notably, this study did not detect several species with historical records in the middle Verde River catchment, including Arizona toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) and northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens). Given climate change‐related flow declines and intensifying demands for water in arid lands globally, maintaining stream flows that provide consistent and suitable hydroregimes for anuran breeding and larval development is of increasing importance. Determining habitat use and flow regimes necessary to support anuran populations can aid in prioritization of conservation actions related to water management and predict how changes in water availability may impact stream‐breeding anurans.

The role of artificial ponds for anuran diversity in managed areas of the Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT Artificial ponds can be important reproductive sites for anurans in human-disturbed habitats. However, this capacity depends on the configuration of the habitat where they are inserted. We evaluated how anuran beta diversity was influenced by the configuration of the surrounding habitat and water parameters in artificial ponds in southern Brazil. Physicochemical parameters of water and the configuration of the surrounding habitat were the elements that best explained the variation in beta diversity. However, the surrounding habitat had a predominant role in the differences between communities. The level of exposed soil was the component that best acted on the turnover component of beta diversity followed by urbanization, which highlights the impact of human presence on anuran diversity. In other words, we observed that anthropogenic changes caused changes in species composition in the evaluated ponds. Among water parameters, only phosphate was relevant for the configuration of communities. Phosphate peaks may result from sewage or fertilizer contamination, not infrequent in the region despite the low human density and the small-scale agriculture economy. Even though they are anthropogenic environments, artificial ponds can help maintain the anuran communities, but their effectiveness will depend on the presence of forest remnants and water quality.

Shape Evolution in Two Acts: Morphological Diversity of Larval and Adult Neoaustraranan Frogs.

Phenotypic traits can evolve independently at different stages of ontogeny, optimizing adaptation to distinct ecological contexts and increasing morphological diversity in species with complex life cycles. Given the relative independence resulting from the profound changes induced by metamorphosis, niche occupation and resource utilization in tadpoles may prompt evolutionary responses that do not necessarily affect the adults. Consequently, diversity patterns observed in the larval shape may not necessarily correspond to those found in the adult shape for the same species, a premise that can be tested through the Adaptive Decoupling Hypothesis (ADH). Herein, we investigate the ADH for larval and adult shape differentiation in Neoaustrarana frogs. Neoaustrarana frogs, particularly within the Cycloramphidae family, exhibit remarkable diversity in tadpole morphology, making them an ideal model for studying adaptive decoupling. By analyzing 83 representative species across four families (Alsodidae, Batrachylidae, Cycloramphidae, and Hylodidae), we generate a morphological dataset for both larval and adult forms. We found a low correlation between larval and adult shapes, species with a highly distinct larval shape having relatively similar shape when adults. Larval morphological disparity is not a good predictor for adult morphological disparity within the group, with distinct patterns observed among families. Differences between families are notable in other aspects as well, such as the role of allometric components influencing shape and morphospace occupancy. The larval shape has higher phylogenetic structure than the adult. Evolutionary convergence emerges as a mechanism of diversification for both larval and adult shapes in the early evolution of neoaustraranans, with shape disparity of tadpoles reaching stable levels since the Oligocene. The widest occupation in morphospace involves families associated with dynamically changing environments over geological time. Our findings support the ADH driving phenotypic diversity in Neoaustrarana, underscoring the importance of considering ontogenetic stages in evolutionary studies.

First record of a neobatrachian frog (Lissamphibia: Neobatrachia) from the Eocene–Oligocene Aiuruoca Basin, Brazil

ABSTRACT Despite the widespread diversity of neobatrachian frogs in South America nowadays, their fossils remain notably sparse, particularly during the Palaeogene. Consequently, the discovery of fossils attributed to neobatrachians constitutes a significant contribution to our understanding of their past distribution and diversity. Here, we report a new neobatrachian fossil from the Eocene – Oligocene Aiuruoca Basin in Brazil. The fossil record known from this unit, which is still inadequately documented, includes coprolites, plants, insects, fishes, and also frogs. Prior investigations of these anurans attributed approximately 200 specimens to an as-yet unnamed Pipidae species. The partially preserved specimen described herein (MZSP-PV 1333) clearly differs from the pipid-like fossils by the presence of procoelous vertebral centra, a sacrum separated from the urostyle, bicondylar sacro-urostylar articulation, and fused distal carpals 3 + 4 + 5. However, the absence of additional diagnostic features prevents a confident classification into a more specific subgroup, being thus identified as Neobatrachia indet. The identification of this new frog morphotype suggests that the anuran diversity in the Aiuruoca Basin is more extensive than previously understood, and further emphasises the palaeontological significance of this unit for ongoing research and collection endeavours.

Unexpected diversity and co-occurrence of phytotelmic frogs (Guibemantis) around Andasibe, one of the most intensively surveyed amphibian hotspots of Madagascar, and descriptions of three new species.

The area around the Malagasy village of Andasibe, which includes Analamazaotra-Mantadia National Park as well as other protected areas, is characterized by very species-rich and well-studied communities of animals and plants, but new species are still regularly discovered. Three species of phytotelmic frogs of the subgenus Pandanusicola in the genus Guibemantis are known from this area, G. flavobrunneus, G. liber, and G. pulcher. Further Pandanusicola frogs from this area have been provisionally assigned to G. bicalcaratus or G. albolineatus, pending detailed taxonomic review. During preliminary exploration of the ecology of these specialized frogs that live and reproduce in the leaf axils of Pandanus screw pines, we noticed the syntopic presence of two differently colored and differently sized Pandanusicola in Andasibe that could not be unambiguously assigned to any known species. A genetic screening revealed that these correspond to yet two further species in the area. Based on our data, seven species of Pandanusicola occur in Andasibe and nearby forests: (1) G. liber, the only non-phytotelmic species of the subgenus in the region; (2) G. flavobrunneus which is the largest species and characterized by a diagnostic yellowish brown dorsal pattern; (3) G. pulcher, characterized by translucent-green color with purplish brown spotting not observed in any other species in the area; (4) G. methueni, a brownish species usually lacking contrasted dorsolateral bands that differs from the other species in the area by emitting a characteristic trill-like advertisement call series (rather than clicks or chirps) and according to our data is widespread along Madagascars east coast; as well as three new species: (5) G. ambakoana sp. nov., a brownish species, typically with contrasted incomplete light dorsolateral bands and with single click-like advertisement calls; (6) G. vakoa sp. nov., a species that is equally brownish but lacks contrasted light dorsolateral bands and that has single click-like advertisement calls of very short duration; and (7) G. rianasoa sp. nov., a species that is smaller sized and has less distinct femoral glands than all the others, and emits a short series of soft chirp-like advertisement calls. All these species are genetically highly distinct, with >5% uncorrected pairwise distances in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and lack of haplotype sharing in two nuclear-encoded genes. The co-occurrence of seven Pandanusicola frogs in a relatively small geographic area is unprecedented in Madagascar and calls for in-depth studies of a possible differentiation in habitat use and life history.

ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF ANURANS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF LUDHIANA AND PANCHKULA

In the present study, abundance and diversity of anurans was recorded from residential areas of Ludhiana (Punjab) and Panchkula (Haryana) for 2021 and 2022. From both locations, three anuran species were recorded which included Duttaphrynus melanostictus, D. stomaticus and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, belonged to order anura, families bufonidae and dicroglossidae. Among district Ludhiana, residential areas of village Barewal Dogran (4.90 individuals) showed maximum anuran abundance as compared to Sherpur (4.14 individuals) and Ladhowal (3.90 individuals). However, in Panchkula, village Maheshpur (4.87 individuals) showed the maximum abundance as compared to villages Railly (4.06 individuals) and Sector-26 Extension (4.32 individuals). Interestingly, 7.95% and 6.30% increase in anuran population was recorded from residential areas of district Ludhiana and Panchkula, respectively during 2022 as compared to previous year. Overall, residential areas of district Panchkula were recorded to be 2.32% more abundant as compared to district Ludhiana. Among three species, H. tigerinus was found to be heaviest in body weight (226.2-272.2 g), whereas D. melanostictus was lightest one (7.24-7.93 g). The mean body weight of D. melanostictus, D. stomaticus and H. tigerinus males and females recorded ranged from 7.24-7.93, 7.91-8.67 and 226.2-272.2 g, respectively. A positive correlation was found between anuran population with atmospheric temperature (ˆC), relative humidity (%) and rainfall (mm) r = (+0.28 to +0.91) among both districts. However, among all weather parameters, a strong correlation was found between anuran population and relative humidity (+0.82 to +0.91). This data may be used by researchers or researchers for the benefit of anuran conservation programmes.

Anurans from the upper basins of the Rio Grande and Rio Preto: eastern portion of the Serra da Mantiqueira Environmental Protection Area, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The Neotropical zone stands out for having the greatest richness of amphibians in the world. About 625 species of anurans are known on Atlantic Forest. The southeastern mountainous regions of Brazil called Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira, are very important areas for the diversity of anurans in the country because they shelter remaining strata of the Atlantic Forest that have several endemic species. The present study aims to expand the knowledge about the Serra da Mantiqueira anurans, specifically from the Rio Preto and Rio Grande upper basins. The study area comprised 10 sample centers. We realized 38 campaigns, lasting two days each. During this period, we used active search as visual and auditory cues. The passive search was comprised of pitfall traps. Bioacoustic analyses were used to determine the cryptic species. The sufficiency of the sampling effort was estimated through the accumulation curve using Bootstrap and Jackknife-1 as estimators. During the study 55 species were found, 40 of them in the basin of the Rio Preto, and 44 in the basin of the Rio Grande. Twenty-nine species were found in both areas. The Hylidae family was predominant, followed by Leptodactylidae. In addition to species of the Atlantic Forest, the place houses typical components of the Cerrado biome and altitudinal swamps with unexpected sympatries. This inventory expands the area of occurrence of Scinax duartei, a species considered threatened. Although adjacent to the oldest national park in Brazil, the composition of anuran species of this area was unknown until then.

Discovering the diversity of tadpoles in the mid-north Brazil: morphological and molecular identification, and characterization of the habitat.

Brazil stands out for presenting the highest amphibian anuran diversity in the world. However, taxonomic studies that address characteristic of larval stage of anurans are incipient, representing only 62% of known species. We assess the species diversity of tadpoles from eastern Maranhão state, mid-northern region of Brazil based on morphological and molecular identification (i.e., 16S rRNA gene fragment), and we also provide characteristics of the habitats occupied by each species. We carried out 30 field samplings during 13 months in 16 environments along an ecotonal area, over five cities inside the limits of state of Maranhão, between the Maranhão Babaçu Forest and Cerrado ecoregions. We searched for tadpoles in a variety of water bodies, and the tadpoles that reached the developmental stage between 34 to 40 Gosner were morphologically identified. The tadpoles collected herein represent 26 species belonging to five families. The external morphology enabled the identification of 24 species, while the molecular data recognized 22 unique evolutionary units. The most represented family was Hylidae (Hylinae 11 spp., Phyllomedusinae one spp.) followed by Leptodactylidae (Leptodactylinae seven spp., Leiuperinae three spp.), Microhylidae (Gastrophryninae two spp.), and Bufonidae (two spp.). Our results show that oral morphology was the most important character for identifying tadpoles based on morphology, and the specific 16S rRNA primer was suitable for molecular identification. This study pioneers the use of both morphological and molecular data to identify tadpoles in the state of Maranhão. It also provides, for the first-time, habitat characteristic for the species. Our study reveals a high number of anuran species sampled at the larval stage in the region, identifies species that require further taxonomic and systematic attention, and extends the geographic distribution of six species, three of which represent new occurrences for the state. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that the diversity of amphibians from Maranhão is underestimated and highlight the importance of herpetological inventories in poorly sampled areas, decentralizing the knowledge of biodiversity.

In Search of Suitable Breeding Sites: Habitat Heterogeneity and Environmental Filters Determine Anuran Diversity of Western Madagascar

Environmental filtering shapes animal communities by preventing the colonization and persistence of certain species in a given habitat. More heterogenous environments are presumed to support a greater number of species and, consequently, increased species diversity, as environmental filters are also likely more heterogenous. Amphibians are especially sensitive to environmental influences due to distinct characteristics like permeable skin and low mobility. By analyzing the species richness and assemblage composition of tadpoles in 132 breeding ponds, we examined how the interplay of environmental variables shapes anuran species assemblages in breeding habitats of the dry forest of Western Madagascar. We found that environmental filtering is prevalent and habitat heterogeneity not only increases larval species richness but also alters species composition between these assemblages. Our study highlights the need for conserving heterogenous habitats to maintain local diversity. Furthermore, we recommend including multivariate modelling approaches to conservation efforts to acknowledge differences between specific habitats and beta diversity.

Parasitic helminths of alien invasive anurans in Butuan City, Northeastern Mindanao, Philippines.

This study aimed to identify the helminth parasites of invasive anuran species in selected barangays in Butuan City, Philippines. In urbanized areas, invasive species dominate anuran diversity, and one of the primary threats they pose to native wildlife is the transmission of diseases and parasites. Out of the 91 collected individuals of invasive anuran species, Rhinella marina was the most abundant (88 %), followed by Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (12 %) and Kaloula pulchra (3 %). The study identified five species of parasites, with Spirometra sp. being the most prevalent (17.58 %), followed by Echinostoma sp. (16.5 %), Rhabdias bufonis (14.3 %), Cosmocerca sp. (6.6 %), and Strongyloides stercoralis (3.30 %), respectively. Spirometra sp. also had the highest intensity (7.67), followed by Cosmocerca sp. (5), Strongyloides stercoralis (3.33), Rhabdias bufonis (3.30), and Echinostoma sp. (2.73). This parasitological survey revealed that H. rugulosus had the highest prevalence and infection of parasites, and residential areas had the highest parasite prevalence among the habitat types. Adult hosts were found to harbor a higher prevalence and intensity, and male hosts had a higher prevalence. The results highlight the high risk of parasite transmission from anurans to other animals and emphasize the need for the community to control the population of invasive anuran species for the safety of native anurans and to prevent zoonotic transmission to other animals and humans.

A new fossil frog (Lissamphibia: Anura) from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil and the early evolution of neobatrachians

Abstract Although neobatrachians represent about 95% of anuran diversity, their fossil record, especially during the Mesozoic, remains scarce and often limited to a few damaged specimens with uncertain affinities. In South America, fossil neobatrachians have been identified from the Cretaceous deposits in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Here, we describe a new species of fossil neobatrachian from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Bauru Basin, south-eastern Brazil, based on several well-preserved specimens. The morphology of the new species was described in detail using high-resolution micro-CT, and its taxonomic affinities were investigated through a phylogenetic analysis encompassing both living and extinct taxa. The new taxon was recovered among hyloids, more specifically as closely related to other well-ossified taxa. However, due to the lack of any synapomorphies with extant families, we were unable to assign the new species to a more specific group within Neobatrachia. The discovery of a new fossil frog in the Late Cretaceous Bauru Basin significantly enhances our understanding of neobatrachian early morphology during the Late Cretaceous of South America.

Exploring the acoustic diversity of Andean frogs in the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park, southwestern Colombia

ABSTRACT The advertisement calls that frogs emit in a reproductive context are among the most conspicuous and studied acoustic signals. They play a significant role in interspecific recognition, mate selection, and territoriality and can be used in different fields such as taxonomy, ethology, ecology, and evolutionary studies. In Colombia, around 40% of the recognized frog species have descriptions of their calls in the literature. However, the Cordillera Occidental in the tropical Andes and the Strabomantidae family are underrepresented in the literature despite the huge species diversity they hold. Here, we described the advertisement calls of eleven frog species belonging to three families from three localities at high elevations in the Cordillera Occidental, which have been inaccessible to scientific research due to security concerns. We describe the advertisement calls of five Pristimantis species for the first time and estimated the daily acoustic activity patterns of four Pristimantis species. Our findings enhance the number of known advertisement calls for anuran species from one of the least-represented regions and families in the country. In addition, they provide important information regarding the natural history of four Pristimantis species that could be used as a baseline for future long-term population studies.

The radiation continuum and the evolution of frog diversity

Most of life’s vast diversity of species and phenotypes is often attributed to adaptive radiation. Yet its contribution to species and phenotypic diversity of a major group has not been examined. Two key questions remain unresolved. First, what proportion of clades show macroevolutionary dynamics similar to adaptive radiations? Second, what proportion of overall species richness and phenotypic diversity do these adaptive-radiation-like clades contain? We address these questions with phylogenetic and morphological data for 1226 frog species across 43 families (which represent >99% of all species). Less than half of frog families resembled adaptive radiations (with rapid diversification and morphological evolution). Yet, these adaptive-radiation-like clades encompassed ~75% of both morphological and species diversity, despite rapid rates in other clades (e.g., non-adaptive radiations). Overall, we support the importance of adaptive-radiation-like evolution for explaining diversity patterns and provide a framework for characterizing macroevolutionary dynamics and diversity patterns in other groups.

Emergence of Elizabethkingia miricola in the Brazilian Amazon region

Infectious diseases are not only a threat to humans and animals but also to an entire ecosystem if the three axis of One Health are considered. Elizabethkingia miricola is a water-borne and opportunistic pathogen frequently evolving to high morbidity and mortality outcomes. More recently, reports on E. miricola infections causing death in different anuran species are increasing. Here, we reported the emergence, in a clinical setting in Brazil (Amazon region), of an E. miricola (EM15) with an almost untreatable antibiotic resistance phenotype that was closely related to the lineage involved with anuran infections worldwide. A genomic reconstruction revealed that EM15 belonged to a cluster represented by genomes from human and animal (anurans) sources recovered from China, Europe, and the Americas from 2002 to 2021, and from the Space Station Mir condensation water. Their resistome and virulome were also in agreement with their genetic relationship since they harboured the same set of resistance and putative virulence genes. Therefore, the emergence of EM15 in a clinical setting in the Amazon region, a hotspot area of anuran diversity and home to Amerindian groups that live in close relationship with the wildlife, may represent a warning to the public and environmental health.

Climate-driven loss of taxonomic and functional richness in Brazilian Atlantic Forest anurans

Climate change is one of the key drivers of the dramatic erosion of global biodiversity. Poikilothermic organisms, such as amphibians, are particularly prone to alterations in temperature and precipitation and are therefore expected to be severely impacted by global climate change. We evaluated: i) the potential effects of climate change on taxonomic and functional richness of amphibians in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, and ii) tested whether forest-dependent and open area species responded differently to climatic stressors. We applied an ensemble forecasting approach using point locality data to establish predictive maps of taxonomic and functional richness for different IPCC AR5 scenarios with two Representative Concentration Pathway trajectories (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) at two temporal projections (2050 and 2070). A significant decline in both taxonomic and functional richness of Atlantic Forest amphibians is expected over the coming decades under the evaluated climate scenarios. The core areas projected to maintain significantly high anuran richness in both components were in coastal high-altitude localities. We found negative effects (losses) to be more pronounced for taxonomic richness. Model outcomes indicate significant losses in both forest and open area species. A few remaining high-altitude sites will then play an important role as potential climatic refuges to safeguard anuran diversity, requiring a dynamic landscape approach as conservation strategy.

Amphibian Diversity: Where everything starts to flood, Cáceres Municipality, North Pantanal, Central-West Brazil

Faunal inventories contribute to our understanding of regional diversity, and are fundamental for policy and decision-making regarding the management and conservation of large natural areas. This study aimed to inventory and compile information on amphibian species occurring in the North Pantanal region, in the municipal limits of Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We used three methods to inventory amphibian species: (1) fieldwork, (2) analysis of specimens deposited in scientific collections, and (3) literature reviews. We registered 49 amphibian species in Cáceres. Of them, 48 species belonged to the Anura order and were distributed across eight families and 20 genera, and one species belonged to the Gymnophiona order (Siphonops paulensis). The families Leptodactylidae (20 spp.) and Hylidae (17 spp.) were dominant in terms of richness, accounting for 75.5% of all species found in Cáceres. The remaining families had between four and one species each. The municipality is strongly influenced by non-forested formations (e.g., the Cerrado and Pantanal) and presents a high species richness for a non-forested location in Brazil. Our findings highlight Cáceres as one of the richest areas in amphibian species in the North Pantanal region, expanding our knowledge regarding frog diversity. This study provides a foundation for future conservation strategies and additional assessments of amphibian species in light of potential population declines and other emerging threats.

Frog limbs in deep time: is jumping locomotion at the roots of the anuran Bauplan?

AbstractThe unique body plan of frogs (Lissamphibia: Anura) has been largely conserved from at least 200 Myr, and its evolution from a more generalized tetrapod condition is still poorly understood, in part due to the scarce early fossil record of Salientia, the anuran total-group. The origin of the anuran Bauplan has been classically explained as an adaptation to jumping, but recent studies incorporating new data in a phylogenetic context have challenged the popular jumping hypothesis. Here we revisit and test this hypothesis from a paleobiological perspective by integrating limb data from a wide range of extant and fossil frogs. We first explored the evolution of limb proportions from the Jurassic to the Paleogene to understand when the present limb diversity originated and whether, and to what extent, limb proportions have been conserved over the last 200 Myr. We then inferred the locomotor capabilities of extinct species by phylogenetic flexible discriminant analysis, and from these inferences, we studied the locomotor diversity of frogs over geological time and reconstructed the ancestral state for frog-like salientians. The evolution of limb proportions is characterized by an early diversification that was underway in the Jurassic, followed by a repeated convergence over a limited area of the morphospace that was already explored by the Early Cretaceous. In agreement with this early limb diversity, the Jurassic stem species were also locomotory diverse, and their inferred locomotor modes do not support the jumping hypothesis. We propose that the patterns found herein of repeated convergent evolution of both limb proportions and locomotor capabilities over geological time hamper any attempt to confidently infer the ancestral locomotion mode and, it therefore might be time to start focusing on other hypotheses on the origin of the anuran Bauplan that are not related to locomotion.

Species and hybrid composition and genetic diversity of water frogs (Pelophylax esculentus complex) in western Ukrainian hemiclonal population systems

Background. Two species of water frogs, Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax lessonae, and their hybrid, Pelophylax kl. esculentus, are widespread in Ukraine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the population structure of various types of hemiclonal population systems (HPS) of water frogs formed due to the coexistence of frogs in the same territory. In Ukraine, a hybridization centre with the spread of triploid individuals of hybrid nature has been identified. Triploid hybrids are an intriguing research subject due to the diverse hypotheses about their origin and role in HPS. Outside the hybridization centre in Kharkiv Region, triploids are not commonly found. In our study, we describe the initial findings of triploid specimens in Lviv Region and analyze the genetic structure of the HPS where such individuals were detected. Methods. In total, 193 specimens of green frogs were collected between 2011 and 2015. Here we present population structure analysis which was conducted using two microsatellite loci, Rrid059A and RlCA1b5. A wide range of software programs were utilized for processing the genetic analysis data, including GenePop 4.7.5, Micro-Checker and NewHybrids 1.1. Results. Three types of hemiclonal population systems were identified: R-E type in Perekalky and Lake Pisochne, L-E type in Lake Luky, and R-E-L type in Nyzhankovychi, Velykyi Lyubin, Zhovtantsi and Cholgyni. Additionally, population systems with hybrids of mixed ploidy (diploids and triploids) were found in Perekalky, Velykyi Lyubin and Zhovtantsi. Conclusions. Genetic diversity analysis revealed variations in the number of alleles per population. P. ridibundus individuals exhibited higher genetic diversity compared to P. lessonae individuals, whereas hybrids showed intermediate genetic diversity. Further investigations of the localities where potential triploids were detected are necessary to assess the survival and reproductive potential of hybrid individuals and determine all types of hybrids and individuals of both marsh and pool frogs.