Rana Ridibunda Research Articles

Morphogenetic structure of marsh frog populations of Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia, Anura) under conditions of urban environment

Morphogenetic structure of marsh frog populations of Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia, Anura) under conditions of urban environment

Depression of the Evoked Quantal Acetylcholine Secretion in Frog Neuromuscular Junction by Phospholipases A2 from the Venom of Steppe Viper Vipera ursiniirenardi

In this work we studied the influence of phospholipase A2 vurtoxin and its homologue lacking enzymatic activity (Vur-S49), isolated from the venom of steppe viper Vipera ursinii renardi, on the amplitude and temporal parameters of spontaneous and evoked endplate currents (EPCs) in the neuromuscular junction of frog Rana ridibunda. The experiments showed that both vurtoxin and Vur-S49 reduce the EPC quantal content. The amplitude and time course of spontaneous (one-quantal) signals remained unchanged, suggesting that these proteins do not block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane. Depressing effect in the presence of enzymatically inactive Vur-S49 suggested that the decrease in the EPC quantal content in the presence of these proteins cannot be explained exclusively by phospholipolytic activity manifested by vurtoxin. On the basis of our previous data we suggested an interaction of the proteins studied with presynaptic α7 nAChRs. Selective antagonist of α7 nicotinic receptors methyllycaconitine (MLA) reduced the EPC quantal content as well. Depressing action of MLA on the evoked secretion of acetylcholine implies the involvement of the presynaptic α7 nAChRs in the regulation of the evoked quantal secretion in the frog neuromuscular junction. However, in the presence of MLA the effects of vurtoxin and Vur-S49 on the EPC quantal content in the nerve-muscle preparation remained unchanged. The data obtained suggest that presynaptic effects of the proteins studied are not directed at α7 nAChRs but could be mediated by interaction with some other synaptic targets.

The effects of water and bottom sediments from Lake Balkash (Central Asia) on early development of fish and amphibians

The effects of water and bottom sediments from Lake Balkash (Central Asia) on early development of fish and amphibians

Balkan marsh frogs Pelophylax kurtmuelleri (Gayda, 1940) introduced in the Aspromonte National Park, southern Italy

Balkan marsh frogs Pelophylax kurtmuelleri (Gayda, 1940) introduced in the Aspromonte National Park, southern Italy

Investigation of Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Pelophylax ridibundus Tadpoles Reared in Different Stock Densities

Bu çalışmada, en iyi büyüme performansının ve yaşama oranının belirlenmesi için Pelophylax ridibundus iribaşları farklı stok yoğunluklarında yetiştirilmiştir. İribaşlar stok yoğunluklarına göre A (0.5 iribaş /L), B (1 iribaş /L) ve C (1.5 iribaş /L) olarak gruplandırılmıştır. Bu deney, başlangıç ağırlığı 0.013 ± 0.01 g ve başlangıç uzunluğu 7.54 ± 0.06 mm olan ortalama 180 iribaş ile 60 gün boyunca gerçekleştirilmiştir. İribaşlar, % 39 ham protein içeren yem ile günde iki kez beslenmiştir. 30 litrelik yetiştirme kaplarında bulunan su (20 litre), oksijen gerekliliği için her 24 saatte bir değiştirilmiştir. Boy, ağırlık kazancı ve yaşama oranı tespiti için iki haftada bir ölçüm yapılmıştır. Stok yoğunluğunun boy ve ağırlık kazancı üzerindeki ters orantılı etkileri gözlenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, en düşük stok yoğunluğuna sahip A grubunda (0.5 iribaş /L); boyca ve ağırlıkça en iyi büyüme ile en yüksek yaşama oranı (% 90) tespit edilmiştir.

Myelograms of Marsh (Pelophylax ridibundus) and Pool (Pelophylax lessonae) Frogs (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Conventionally “Intact” Resevoir of Nizhni Novgorod Region and from Reservoir Transformed by Human Activity

Myelograms of Marsh (Pelophylax ridibundus) and Pool (Pelophylax lessonae) Frogs (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Conventionally “Intact” Resevoir of Nizhni Novgorod Region and from Reservoir Transformed by Human Activity

Distribution and Origin of Two Forms of the Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus Complex (Anura, Ranidae) from Kamchatka Based on Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA Data

The formation of the first populations of the marsh frog (the Pelophylax ridibundus complex) near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and in the Paratunka River valley must have been the result of human introduction in the late 1980s. At present, more than 20 localities of this species are recorded in Kamchatka. For a more precise definition of the taxonomic status of P. ridibundus sensu lato, samples from five populations (altogether, 30 individuals) from southeastern and central Kamchatka are analyzed using molecular methods. In all frogs, a mitochondrial DNA type specific for the “eastern” form (=the Anatolian P. cf. bedriagae), but not for the “western” form (=the Central European P. ridibundus), is revealed. However, the results of nuclear DNA analysis of marsh frogs from Kamchatka reveal alleles specific for both of the forms, “eastern” and “western,” with a frequency ratio of about 2 : 1. The results of sequencing the mitochondrial ND2 gene and nuclear SAI-1 gene suggest that the “ancestor” individuals might have been introduced into Kamchatka from the Volga–Don interfluve or Ciscaucasia. The absence of both haplotype and nucleotide diversity in the samples studied suggests a single successful introduction that involved a low number of frogs stemming from a single locality.

Diet composition of the Karpathos marsh frog (Pelophylax cerigensis): what does the most endangered frog in Europe eat?

espanolLa rana de Karpatos (Pelophylax cerigensis) es considerada la rana mas amenazada de Europa. Aqui evaluamos su ecologia alimentaria y examinamos 76 individuos de las dos poblaciones conocidas usando el metodo del lavado de estomago. Tambien medimos el peso corporal, la longitud desde el hocico hasta la cloaca y el ancho de la boca de las ranas y el ancho y largo de las presas. La dieta de Pelophylax cerigensis, compuesta principalmente por Coleoptera, Aranean, Isopoda e Hymenoptera, es similar a la de otras especies de ranas verdes de las zonas adyacentes. Las dos poblaciones difieren en el tamano corporal, pero presentan valores similares de abundancia y frecuencia de presas. Parece que P. cerigensis sigue una estricta estrategia de alimentacion. El estudio de la disponibilidad de presas en sus habitats aportara informacion valiosa. EnglishThe Karpathos marsh frog (Pelophylax cerigensis) is considered the most endangered frog in Europe. Here we assess its feeding ecology and examine 76 individuals from the two known populations using the stomach flushing method. We also measured body weight, snout–vent length, mouth width and prey width and length. Pelophylax cerigensis follows the feeding pattern of green frogs of the adjacent areas, with Coleoptera, Araneae, Isopoda and Hymenoptera being the main prey groups. The two populations differed in body size but had similar values of prey abundance and frequency. It seems that P. cerigensis follows a strict feeding strategy. Further research on prey availability in its habitats will provide valuable insight.

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Brucella microti-Like Bacteria From a Domestic Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus).

Several Brucella isolates have been described in wild-caught and “exotic” amphibians from various continents and identified as B. inopinata-like strains. On the basis of epidemiological investigations conducted in June 2017 in France in a farm producing domestic frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) for human consumption of frog's legs, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from adults showing lesions (joint and subcutaneous abscesses). The bacteria were initially misidentified as Ochrobactrum anthropi using a commercial identification system, prior to being identified as Brucella spp. by MALDI-TOF assay. Classical phenotypic identification confirmed the Brucella genus, but did not make it possible to conclude unequivocally on species determination. Conventional and innovative bacteriological and molecular methods concluded that the investigated strain was very close to B. microti species, and not B. inopinata-like strains, as expected. The methods included growth kinetic, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, RT-PCR, Bruce-Ladder, Suis-Ladder, RFLP-PCR, AMOS-ERY, MLVA-16, the ectoine system, 16S rRNA and recA sequence analyses, the LPS pattern, in silico MLST-21, comparative whole-genome analyses (including average nucleotide identity ANI and whole-genome SNP analysis) and HRM-PCR assays. Minor polyphasic discrepancies, especially phage lysis and A-dominant agglutination patterns, as well as, small molecular divergences suggest the investigated strain should be considered a B. microti-like strain, raising concerns about its environmental persistence and unknown animal pathogenic and zoonotic potential as for other B. microti strains described to date.

A Geometric Morphometric Analysis for Ranid Taxonomy: Chondrocranial Shape Variation of Five Ranid Species (Anura: Ranidae)

A landmark-based geometric morphometrics of the dorsal view of the chondrocranium was analysed for 188 specimens to investigate the hypothesis of species shape and size differences among Rana tavasensis, R. macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, P. bedriagae and P. caralitanus. Canonical variate analysis (CVA) is applied to determine whether the shape and size differences in the chondrocranium of five ranids can be used to classify those at a taxonomic level. The result of CVA analysis shows that five ranid species examined here discriminate as mountain (Rana sp.) and water (Pelophylax sp.) frogs. In discriminant function analysis (DFA), each pair of species was analyzed and the results show that there is no interspecific shape difference among Pelophylax species. However, the interspecific shape variations in the cornua trabeculae, articular process of the palatoquadrate and processus muscularis quadrati, were present between Rana species (R. macrocnemis and R. tavasensis).

Comparative use of active searches and artificial refuges to detect amphibians in terrestrial environments

AbstractArtificial refuges (cover boards) are commonly used to survey and monitor herpetofauna in many parts of the world. Despite the extensive use of artificial refuges in mesic environments, their effectiveness for detecting amphibians in temperate zones has rarely been examined. We compared amphibian detection probabilities between two survey methods; active searches of natural habitat and artificial refuges of three different types (corrugated steel, roofing tiles and timber railway sleepers). Our study area included five bioregions encompassing a 1180‐km latitudinal gradient across a modified, temperate eucalypt woodland vegetation community in south‐eastern Australia. We deployed 14 778 artificial refuges in terrestrial environments, within patches of remnant vegetation, and collected presence and abundance data on herpetofauna between 1999 and 2017. We used Bayesian logistic regression to identify the most effective survey method for detecting frog species across all bioregions. We modelled frog detections by fitting survey method, time since refuge deployment and rainfall prior to each survey. We detected 3970 individuals from 18 frog species. Overall, we found active searches and timber substrates most effective for detecting a broad range of species, although detection rates were driven by the numerically abundant spotted marsh frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis. Timber refuges were effective for detecting several burrowing species, whereas active searches were effective at detecting habitat generalists. Quadratic effects of rainfall prior to survey as opposed to linear effects of time since artificial refuge placement was important in explaining frog detection rates in some bioregions. Active searches, timber railway sleepers and sheets of corrugated steel provide complimentary survey methods for detecting amphibians, although detection rates are influenced by rainfall patterns. Artificial refuges provide a time‐effective and standardized method for studying amphibians in their non‐breeding terrestrial environment and should be incorporated into future surveys and biodiversity monitoring programmes.

Diet composition of the Karpathos marsh frog (Pelophylax cerigensis): what does the most endangered frog in Europe eat?

Diet composition of the Karpathos marsh frog (Pelophylax cerigensis): what does the most endangered frog in Europe eat?

YANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF CRUDE FROG (RANA RIDIBUNDA) SKIN SECRETIONS EXTRACT ON WOUNDS HEALING IN MICE

Amphibians cutaneous glands spread over the skin which contain different bioactive substances. So, the aim of this study is to study the effects of frog skin secretions on parasites and pathogenic bacterial isolates. Five adult frogs (Rana ridibunda) from AL-Jadria streams in Baghdad used in this study. The frogs were stimulated by single intraperitoneal injection of norepinephrine-HCl (40ng/gm) body weight. Frogs skin glands secreted bioactive substances then washed .The washing solution was centrifuged, lyophilized and re-suspended and sterilized. The result of the study revealed that the concentration (500mg/ml) inhibited bacterial growth so as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fungi so as Candida albicans, while the concentration (250mg/ml) inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhi. All concentrations of crude extract were cytotoxic for both of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania donovani cell culture by the evidence of significant regression and correlation (P <0.071).The treatment with crud extract (500mg/ml) was active to stimulate tissue cells proliferation and eradicate pathogens inside the wound, thereby may lead to enhance healing of cutaneous wounds.

Holocene amphibians and reptiles from Voroncha (Belarus): Comparative osteology, paleopathology and paleobiogeography

ABSTRACTThe Voroncha site is an accumulation of Holocene small vertebrates, from which numerous amphibian and reptile remains have been recovered continuously over the course of many years. The accumulation has been said to represent a badger or fox den on a gully slope. The latest available collection contains some 11,538 herpetofauna bones suitable for systematic identification. This assemblage includes two caudates (Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus cristatus), five anurans (Bufo bufo, Pelophylax lessonae, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana arvalis, and Rana temporaria), one anguid lizard (Anguis fragilis sl), one lacertid lizard (Zootoca vivipara), and two snakes (Natrix natrix and Vipera berus). This paper describes the comparative characteristics of these bones. The considerable quantity of fossils helps to better visualize the identification criteria for the higher taxonomic categories. In addition, the great number of the bones identified at the species level reveals considerable intraspecific variability for some elements. This study complements previous studies by adding L. vulgaris, T. cristatus, B. bufo, P. ridibundus, R. arvalis, Z. vivipara, N. natrix and V. berus to the site’s faunal record. Voroncha represents the first fossil record for caudates in the region of Belarus and the first record for Z. vivipara in the western East European Plain.

Catálogo comentado de la colección herpetológica procedente de Marruecos del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Madrid, España), con énfasis en el material colectado durante expediciones históricas

Se presenta el catálogo de los anfibios y reptiles de Marruecos conservados en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (MNCN-CSIC) y se destaca la especial relevancia de las contribuciones realizadas por dos expediciones históricas para el conocimiento herpetológico de la región. Ambas expediciones sumaron un total de 31 especies colectadas principalmente en las regiones de Essaouira, Tánger y Ketama. Se constata la presencia en la colección de los ejemplares que representaron las primeras citas de Cerastes vipera y Scincus albifasciatus en Marruecos. Asimismo, alberga las series tipo de Rana ridibunda riodeoroi, Psammodromus algirus ketamensis y Salamandra algira tingitana. Los especímenes colectados en tiempos históricos conservados en colecciones científicas ofrecen una valiosa información para identificar cambios sufridos por las comunidades biológicas y diseñar medidas de conservación de la biodiversidad.

Amphibia as a Vector of Transfer of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Aquatic to Terrestrial Ecosystems.

The flow of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 family, namely, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA), exported by amphibian metamorphs from water to terrestrial ecosystems in the Medveditsa River floodplain, was quantified for the first time. The total biomass export by three amphibian species (Pelobates fuscus, Bombina bombina, and Pelophylax ridibundus) per unit area of the lake surface was 0.594 g/m2 per year (as a mean for 2 years). The biomass flow per unit area of land was 0.726 g/ha per year (0.302 g/ha per year for organic carbon) in 2015-2016. The average annual total removal of EPA + DHA by amphibians from the floodplain lake was 1.47 mg/m2 of water surface area. Due to the high content of EPA and DHA in biomass, amphibians are potentially a valuable food for terrestrial predators having no access to other sources of essential PUFAs.

Influence of ammonia of waters from the surface sources of water supply on their toxicity for Rana Ridibunda (Pallas, 1771)

Aim. Revelation of the influence of ammonia from surface water supply sources on formation of their toxicity, determined by indices of motor activity of young lacustrine frogs (Rana ridibunda Pallas, 1771).Methods. Biotesting was conducted by the method of «time sampling» with preliminary exposure of individuals for 12 hours (n=30) in test samples of water, taken from the Denishevsky water storage basin and Otsechne water intake of the river Teterev and also in samples of settled water from water pipe as a control. The indices of water toxicity were calculated by reactions of typical and non-typical activity of individuals. The ammonia content was determined by the photometric method with Nessler reagent. The correlation and regression analysis was realized by the standard computer program MO Excel 2003.Results. There are established the effects of the ammonia influence on the toxicity of test waters that is proved by the values of determination coefficients, received for 3-year period (R2 at level 0,3893 for the water storage basin and 0,2814 for water intake) and correlation (r of middle degree 0,6240 and 0,5305 respectively). There are constructed the graphs, expressed by the equations of rectilinear regression (y=52,535x+16,207 and y=50,917x+21,067), that gives a possibility to prognosticate toxicity levels of waters as to the ammonia content for the water storage basin and water intake.Conclusions. There were revealed the correlations of the indices of toxicity of the testing waters with the ammonia content that in 2014 (0,6939 – in the Denishevsky water storage basin and 0,6803 – in the Otsechne water intake) reached more degree than in 2012 (0,6413 and 0,4281) and 2013 (0,6556 and 0,5083) years, respectively that is conditioned by increasing ammonification processes. There was fixed a tendency of increasing the force of the ammonia influence (from 41,12 to 48,15 % in waters of the water storage basin and from 18,33 to 46,28 % – water intake) on the toxicity of these waters. In the 3-years period of the studies, there was testified the presence of the reliable ammonia influence of the toxicity of waters in the water storage basin at level 38,93 % (F=3,0811; p ≤0,05, ), and also its absence in the water intake 28,14 % (F=1,5663). There were given the equations of rectilinear regression and graphic images of the dependencies that allow to calculate the ammonia content (0,58 mg/dm3 and 0,64) at reaching 50 % level of water toxicity of lacustrine frogs

Contaminant mixtures interact to impair predator-avoidance behaviours and survival in a larval amphibian

Global declines in amphibian populations are a significant conservation concern, and environmental contamination is likely a contributing driver. Although direct toxicity may be partly responsible, contaminants are often present at sub-lethal concentrations in the wild. Behavioural end-points are becoming an increasingly useful method to estimate the impact of contaminants, particularly if the behavioural responses manifest to affect individual fitness (i.e. survival, growth, or reproduction). In the wild, most animals are affected by multiple stressors, and determining how these interact to affect behaviour is critical for understanding the ecological implications of contaminant exposure. Here, we examined the individual and interactive effect of the heavy metal copper and the insecticide imidacloprid on mortality rates and anti-predator behaviours of spotted marsh frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) tadpoles. This common species frequently occupies and breeds in contaminated stormwater and agricultural wetlands, where copper and imidacloprid are often present. These contaminants may alter behaviour via physiological and neurological pathways, as well as affecting how tadpoles respond to chemical cues. Tadpoles suffered unexpectedly high mortality rates when exposed to imidacloprid concentrations well below published LC50 concentrations. Only unexposed tadpoles significantly avoided predator cues. Copper and imidacloprid reduced swimming speed and distance, and escape responses, while increasing erratic swimming. We observed an interactive effect of imidacloprid and copper on erratic swimming, but in general imidacloprid and copper did not act synergistically. Our results suggest that as contaminants enter waterbodies, tadpoles will suffer considerable direct mortality, reduced foraging capacity, and increased susceptibility to predation. Our results provide the first evidence of imidacloprid affecting amphibian behaviour, and highlight both the adverse effects of copper and imidacloprid, and the importance of exploring the effect of multiple contaminants simultaneously.

The programmed DNA elimination and formation of micronuclei in germ line cells of the natural hybridogenetic water frog Pelophylax esculentus

DNA elimination is a radical form of gene silencing and occurs both in somatic and germ cells. The programmed DNA elimination occurs during gametogenesis in interspecies hybrids that reproduce by hybridogenesis (stick insects, fishes, and amphibians) and concerns removal of whole genomes of one of the parental species and production of clonal gametes propagating the genome of the other species. The cellular mechanisms differ considerably in hybridogenetic insects and fishes but remains unknown in edible frogs Pelophylax esculentus, natural hybrids between Pelophylax lessonae and Pelophylax ridibundus. Here we report DNA elimination mechanism in early developing gonads of diploid and triploid hybrid frogs, studied by TEM, immunofluorescence, and cytochemistry. In gonocytes of both sexes (primary oogonia and prespermatogonia), micronuclei emerge as detached nuclear buds formed during interphase. We found depletion of nuclear pore complexes in micronuclear membrane and chromatin inactivation via heterochromatinization followed by degradation of micronuclei by autophagy. Micronuclei formation does not lead to apoptotic cell death showing that genome elimination is a physiological process. Chromatin elimination via micronuclei in P. esculentus is unique among hybridogenetic animals and contributes to broadening the knowledge about reproductive modes in animals.

Amphibians distribution and habitats in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia.

This study surveyed 205 wetland sites in the Southwestern Saudi Arabia. We found seven species of amphibians (Anura), which belong to four families: Bufonidae; which includes four species, Sclerophrys tihamica; S. Arabica, Duttaphrynus dhufarensis, and Bufotes viridis; Hylidae, represented by only one species, the tree frog Hyla savignyi; Ranidae, which represented by one species, Pelophylax ridibundus and finally the Dicroglossidae, represented by one species, Euphlyctis ehrenbergii. The reasonable amount of rain received in southwest Arabia, and habitat diversity contribute to the relative abundance of amphibians in the region. Five types of wetland habitats were found in the study area. Valley streams, irrigated farms, seasonal ponds, dam reservoir and lagoons of treated sewage water. The current study revealed the wide spread of amphibians in southwestern Saudi Arabia than what had been reported earlier and confirmed the presence of the Bufotes viridis at three new sites in Asir Heights. It also showed the wide spread of S. arabica in all types of habitats in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Habitat degradation was evident in the region, which might lead to species loss.