Far from home: tracing the origin of non-native water frogs (genus Pelophylax) in Malta by molecular markers

• DOI: 10.1007/s10530-023-03228-8
• Publication Date: 2024-01-03T19:03:02Z
• Authors: Petr Papežík; Arnold Sciberras; Michal Benovics; Jeffrey Sciberras; Alain Deidun; Peter Mikulíček
• Keywords: Lineage (genetic)

Abstract One of the most frequently translocated species outside their native range in Europe are water frogs genus Pelophylax . Recently, belonging to same have also been recorded on island Gozo Malta. To trace origin, we genetically examined 17 individuals from three Gozitan localities where recently. We analysed one mitochondrial (NADH dehydrogenase 2, ND2 ) and nuclear (serum albumin intron 1, SAI-1 fragment identify geographic origin a set microsatellite markers determine population-genetic structure predicted number source populations. Based markers, originate southern Anatolia, Turkey. According sequence variation , they were assigned caralitanus mtDNA clade, which is endemic Anatolia taxonomically represents either an evolutionary lineage within P. cf. bedriagae or separate All had only haplotype allele fragment, indicating recent single introduction event. These results supported by analysis, revealed low genetic variability absence any structure, suggesting that population.