Taxonomy and evolution of European brown frogs

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships within the Euro‐Mediterranean stock of the Rana temporaria species group (R. temporaria, R. iberica, R. cameranoi, R. macrocnemis, R. holtzi, R. dalmatina, R. graeca, R. latastei) were studied by (1) morphometric analysis, (2) osteological study and (3) electrophoresis. The three data sets were analysed independently and phenograms and cladograms examined for congruent patterns. The tree resulting from electrophoretic analysis is the most clearly resolved (and being also compatible with the other two) is assumed to represent the most likely phylogeny of the Mediterranean brown frogs. Patterns indicated by electrophoretic data matched the molecular clock‐hypothesis. This suggests that the first split of the main stock of Mediterranean brown frogs separated ancestors of Rana temporaria and R. iberica from the others during the Late Pleistocene. A second split occurred separating the ancestors of what are currently the other big‐bodied and the small‐bodied brown frogs. The relationships between and within the three main stocks are discussed in the context of biogeographical and geological data.

Habitat partitioning in European and North American pond‐breeding frogs and toads

“…Closely related species are not necessarily found in similar habitats. The phylogeny is based on the results of Hillis & Davis (1986), Mensi et al . (1992), Ford & Cannatella (1993), Cocroft (1994), Hay et al .…”

The Phylogeny of a Species-Level Tendency: Species Heritability and Possible Deep Origins of Bergmann's Rule in Tetrapods

“…Sources for amphibian relationships are as follows: major lineages of Caudata (Larson 1991;Larson and Dimmick 1993); Salamandridae (Macgregor et al 1990;Titus and Larson 1995); Plethodontidae (Wake 1966;Highton and Larson 1979;Larson et al 1981;Titus and Larson 1996;Petranka 1998;Mahoney 2001); major lineages of Anura (Ford and Cannatella 1993;Ruvinsky and Maxson 1996); Hylidae (Duellman 1970;Hedges 1986;Cocroft 1994;da Silva 1997); Bufo (Martin 1972;Graybeal 1997); Rana (Wallace et al 1973;Case 1978;Frost 1985;Hillis and Frost 1985;Hillis and Davis 1986;Mensi et al 1992;Green and Borkin 1993;Macey et al 2001).…”

Morphological Variation of the Green Toad, Bufo viridis, in Italy: A Test of Causation

“…Few studies on morphological geographic variation of vertebrate species have employed amphibians as a model (Calhoon and Jameson, 1970;Fishbeck and Underhill, 1971;Hedges, 1991;Mensi et al, 1992;Lee, 1993;Green et al, 1996). Nevo (1973) Thorpe et al, 1991) or by historical factors (Thorpe, 1975(Thorpe, , 1979.…”