The first record of natural transfer of mitochondrial DNA from Pelophylax cf. bedriagae into P. lessonae (Amphibia, Anura)

Abstract

The unidirectional natural transfer of mitochondrial (mt) DNA from Pelophylax lessonae into P. ridibundus is a common phenomenon in central Europe. Cases of mtDNA exchange between P. lessonae and other non-clonal species of the genus Pelophylax have been unknown so far. In this paper, we describe the first case of mtDNA transfer from P. cf. bedriagae into P. lessonae, which was found in National Park «Smolny», Republic of Mordovia, Russia.

Keywords

• European water frogs
• hybridisation
• hybridogenesis
• interspecies introgression