Invasion genetics of marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus sensu lato) in Switzerland

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_C5A14BAF4F8A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Invasion genetics of marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus sensu lato) in Switzerland
Journal
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society
Author(s)
Dufresnes C., Leuenberger J., Amrhein V., Bühler C., Thiébaud J., Bohnenstengel T., Dubey S.
ISSN
1095-8312
ISSN-L
0024-4066
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
123
Number
2
Pages
402-410
Language
english
Abstract
The marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus sensu lato) is the number one amphibian invader in Western Europe. In Switzerland, marsh frogs were introduced in the 1950-1960s and progressively colonized most of the northern parts of the country. We investigated this invasion using molecular tools. We mapped the cryptic presence of three monophyletic mitochondrial lineages (P. ridibundus, P. kurtmuelleri and P. c. f. bedriagae from southeastern Europe) consistent with registered importations by a local frog-leg industry. High nuclear diversity supports that invasive frogs probably originated from genetically-rich import batches and patterns of population differentiation confirm that multiple independent introduction sites were involved. Moreover, several lines of evidence suggest occasional hybridization with local hybridogenetic water frogs. This invasion emphasizes the issues of frequent amphibian releases and translocations at the international and regional scale for commercial and recreational purposes, and stresses for more adequate legislation, control and information to the general public. Given the parallel invasion by alien pool frogs (i. e., the Italian P. bergeri has replaced the local P. lessonae), the situation of water frogs in Switzerland is critical. The water frog complex makes an alarming symbol of the anthropogenic mark left on wildlife diversity and distributions.

Keywords
alien species, biological invasions, conservation, hybridogenesis, introduction, water frogs
Web of science
Create date
22/10/2017 15:03
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:41
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