The ploidy and genetic structure of hybrid population of water frogs Pelophylax esculentus complex (Amphibia, Ranidae) of Ukraine fauna

Abstract

The complex study, including allozyme variability and cytometry of hybrid populations of green frogs Pelophylax esculentus (L., 1758) complex has confirmed that the only region of Ukraine where allodip loid are encountered frequently is the Severski Donets basin (9% of all hybrids). In other areas, only two poly ploidy hybrids (0.9%) and one probably autopolyploid individual of each parental species have been regis tered. According to allozyme specters, all three polyploidy hybrids from the Severski Donets basin were males and belonged to biotype P. esculentus (=lessonae) – 2 ridibundus, and their population in this region has halved during the past decade.