Helminth communities of two green frogs (Rana perezi and Rana saharica) from both shores of the Alboran Sea

Abstract

The helminth communities of two populations of green frogs from both shores of the Alborán Sea (Western Mediterranean) were studied. Of the 79 frogs examined for helminths, 39 individuals of the species Rana saharica were collected from Bab-Taza (Morocco), and 40 of the species Rana perezi were collected from the Natural Park of the Sierra de Grazalema (Spain). Although the species richness of helminths was identical in the two sampled areas, the differences observed in the structure of the helminth infracommunities were quite important. Statistically, significant differences were found between the species richness and the diversity of the infracommunities of R. perezi female population and the other three studied statistical populations. The helminth component communities of these two green frogs can be considered as depauperate, although their infracommunities present interactive features.

Keywords

• helminth communities
• helminth infracommunities
• Rana perezi
• Rana saharica
• species richness
• diversity