Testicular Anomalies in the Hybridogenetic Frog Pelophylax esculentus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae)

Abstract

Testicular anomalies in the hybridogenetic frog Pelophylax esculentus (586 adults) and two parental species (193) were analyzed. The hybrids were characterized by an increased number of males with testicular anomalies (61%) compared to the parental species (17–20%). Diploid hybrids had more males with abnormal testes when compared to triploid hybrids. Among the hybrids with asymmetrical testes, males with a larger left testis were prevalent.

References
[1] Biriuk OV, Shabanov DA, Korshunov AV, Borkin LJ, Lada GA, Pasynkova RA, Rosanov JM, Litvinchuk SN: Gamete production patterns and mating systems in water frogs of the hybridogenetic Pelophylax esculentuscomplex in north-eastern Ukraine. J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Res. 2016a; 54(3): 215-225.

[2] Biriuk O, Usova O, Meleshko O, Shabanov D: Stability of spermatogenesis and displays of natural selection at the cellular and individual level in immature representatives of the Pelophylax esculentuscomplex. Visn. Dnìpropetr. Univ. Ser. Biol. Ekol. 2016; 24(1): 193-202.

[3] Borkin LJ, Litvinchuk SN, Rosanov JM, Milto KD: Cryptic speciation in Pelobates fuscus (Anura, Pelobatidae): evidence from DNA flow cytometry. Amphibia-Reptilia 2001;22(4): 387-396.

[4] Dubinina MN: Ecological study of parasite fauna of the marsh frog (Rana ridibunda Pall.) in the Volga River Delta. Parasit. Sb. Zool. Inst. AN USSR Leningrad 1950; 12: 300-350.

[5] Hecker M, Murphy MB, Coady KK, Villeneuve DL, Jones PD, Carr JA, Solomon K.R, Smith EE, Van Der Kraak G, Gross T, Preez LD, Kendall RJ, Giesy JP: Terminology of gonadal anomalies in fish and amphibians resulting from chemical exposures. Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 2006; 187: 103-131.

[6] Hoffmann A, Plötner J, Pruvost NB, Christiansen DG, Röthlisberger S, Choleva L, Mikulíček P, Cogălniceanu D, Sas-Kovács I, Shabanov D, Morozov-Leonov S, Reyer HU: Genetic diversity and distribution patterns of diploid and polyploid hybrid water frog populations (Pelophylax esculentus complex) across Europe. Mol. Ecol. 2015; 24:
4371-4391.

[7] Ivanov VM, Kalmykov AP, Semyonova NN, Fedorovich VV, Parshina OY: Lake frog behavior and viability changes under the influence of helminthic invasion. Curr. Stud. Herpet. 2012; 12(1/2): 49-55.

[8] Melikhova EA: A case of absence of gonads in green frog. Trudy Rostov. Biol. Obschestva, Rostov 1938; 2: 151-152.

[9] Pisanets EM: Polyploidy and deviations in morphology of gonads in the tetraploid toad Bufo danatensis (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae). Tsitologiya Genet. 1992; 26(6): 35-39.

[10] Reminnyi VYu: Anomalies in development of gonads in the green frogs of the Rana esculentacomplex (Amphibia, Ranidae) from Ukraine. Vestnik Zool. 2005; 39(4): 59- 65.

[11] Svinin AO, Litvinchuck SN, Borkin LJ, Rosanov JM: Distribution and population system types of green frogs (Pelophylax Fitzinger, 1843) in Mari El Republic. Curr. Stud. Herpet. 2013; 13(3/4): 137-147.

[12] Tunner HG: Die klonale struktur einer wasserfroschpopulation. Z. Zool. Syst. EvolForsch. 1974; 12: 309-314.

[13] Witschi E: Der Hermaphrodismus der Frösche und seine Bedeutung für das Geschlechtsproblem und die Lehre von der inneren Sekretion der Keimdrüsen. Arch. Entwicklungsmech. Organism. 1921; 49: 316-358.