The study of three hemiclonal population systems Pelophylax esculentus complex from the Seversko-Donetskiy center of green frogs diversity

Abstract

The structure of hemiclonal population systems (HPS) of Pelophylax esculentus complex from the Iskov pond (Gaydary village, Zmiyiv District), the Lower Dobritskiy pond (the region of Gomolsha river floodplain, Dobritskiy yar, the territory of the National Park “Gomolshanski lisy”) and from the pond near the village Zhovtneve (Vovchanskiy District, Kharkiv Region) was studied. All studied HPS were defined as REt-type. We observed the triploid hybrids number increasing in the HPS from the Iskov pond. The large part of triploid hybrids was found in the HPS of the Lower Dobritskiy pond. It was observed that all triploid hybrids from the pond near the village Zhovtneve were females. There was significant bond between the diploid erythrocytes size and sex of the frogs. It seems that triploids in this HPS are originating in other way compared to other HPS. There were two groups of females differ in body size which possibly corresponds to different ontogenetic strategies of green frog females. The males have a normal size distribution.