A procedure for taxon assessment based on morphological variation in european water frogs (Pelophylax esculentus complex)(Article)(Open Access)
- aInstitute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- bInstitute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, University of Belgrade, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Serbia
Abstract
Methods for morphological identification of water frogs from the Pelophylax esculentus complex have changed over the decades. Still, without resort to genetic analyses, water frogs remain among the most difficult European amphibians to distinguish due to their hybrid nature. The aim of this study was to identify a reliable set of quantitative and qualitative morphological characters that objectively resolve species’ identification in the Pelophylax esculentus complex and provide a rapid and robust procedure for taxon identification. Our results showed a substantial difference in morphological characteristics among taxa. The shape and size of the metatarsal tubercle along with the coloration of the hind limbs and flanks appear to be the most important diagnostic traits. Linear discriminant analysis with both quantitative and qualitative traits as a rapid method for the assessment of water frog taxa showed satisfactory accuracy and prediction classification for all 3 members of the complex. © TÜBİTAK.
Indexed keywords
| GEOBASE Subject Index: | accuracy assessmentassessment methodclassificationfroggenetic analysisidentification methodmorphologyqualitative analysisquantitative analysistaxonomy |
|---|---|
| Species Index: | AmphibiaAnuraPelophylaxRana clamitans |
Funding details
| Funding sponsor | Funding number | Acronym |
|---|---|---|
| Rufford Foundation | ||
| Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja | 451-03-68/2020-14/ 200178,451-03-68/2020-14/200007 | MPNTR |
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1
Katarina BREKA and Imre KRIZMANIĆ were partially supported by Grant No.19434-1 of the Rufford Foundation. Srdjan STAMENKOVIĆ and Tanja VUKOV were partially supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (451-03-68/2020-14/ 200178, 451-03-68/2020-14/200007). Sampling permits were issued by the competent authority (No. 353-01-1170/2016-17 and 353-0l-37 0/2018-04). The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the association for the protection of Sava and Danube in Serbia for the provision of infrastructure and laboratory facilities during fieldwork.
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2
Katarina BREKA and Imre KRIZMANIĆ were partially supported by Grant No.19434-1 of the Rufford Foundation. Srdjan STAMENKOVIĆ and Tanja VUKOV were partially supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (451- 03-68/2020-14/ 200178, 451-03-68/2020-14/200007). Sampling permits were issued by the competent authority (No. 353-01-1170/2016-17 and 353-0l-37 0/2018-04). The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the association for the protection of Sava and Danube in Serbia for the provision of infrastructure and laboratory facilities during fieldwork.
- ISSN: 13000179
- Source Type: Journal
- Original language: English
- DOI: 10.3906/zoo-1912-29
- Document Type: Article
- Publisher: Turkiye Klinikleri
Breka, K.; Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia;
© Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
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