Genetic structure of the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) populations in urban landscape

0380836 - ÚBO 2013 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Mikulíček, Peter - Pišút, P.
Genetic structure of the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) populations in urban landscape.
European Journal of Wildlife Research. Roč. 58, č. 5 (2012), s. 833-845. ISSN 1612-4642. E-ISSN 1439-0574
Institutional support: RVO:68081766
Keywords : Genetic differentiation * Habitat fragmentation * Microsatellites * Rana ridibunda * Ranidae * Urbanization
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 1.355, year: 2012

Urbanization is a pervasive process causing habitat fragmentation, spatial isolation of populations, and reduction of biological diversity. In this study, we applied 11 microsatellite loci and Bayesian analyses to investigate genetic diversity and population structure in marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) living in two types of environment—highly fragmented urban landscapes, and landscapes characterized by the presence of a river and artificial canals. Our results show reduced genetic diversity, lower effective population sizes, and higher genetic differentiation for spatially isolated urban populations in comparison with populations outside intensely urbanized areas. Reduction of allelic diversity in urban localities isolated for 13–37 generations is more conspicuous than reduction of expected heterozygosity. Populations living close to the River Danube, its branches, and artificial canals are genetically more homogenous. Our results also suggest that the Danube in Bratislava is not a natural barrier to gene flow. In contrast, it acts as a natural corridor for water frog dispersal. Population structure of P. ridibundus also shows higher genetic connectivity within water paths than between them, suggesting limited overland dispersal, and reflects the historical landscape structure associated with the distribution of the lost river branches.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0211447