Range-wide phylogeographic analysis of the spotted frog complex (Rana luteiventris and Rana pretiosa) in northwestern North America

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Funk, W. Chris; Pearl, Christopher A.; Draheim, Hope M.; Adams, Michael J.; Mullins, Thomas D.; Haig, Susan M.

Source:

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Elsevier Inc., Volume 49, Issue 1, p.198-210 (2008)

Call Number:

A08FUN01IDUS

URL:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790308003126

Keywords:

genetics, mitochondrial DNA, Rana luteiventris, Rana pretiosa, spotted frog

Abstract:

The dynamic geological and climatic history of northwestern North America has made it a focal region for phylogeography. The authors conducted a rangewide phylogeographic analysis of the spotted frog complex (Rana luteiventris and Rana pretiosa) across its range in northwestern North America to understand its evolutionary history and the distribution of clades to inform conservation of R. pretiosa and Great Basin R. luteiventris, candidates for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data from a segment of the cytochrome b gene were obtained from 308 R. luteiventris and R. pretiosa from 96 sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one main R. pretiosa clade and three main R. luteiventris clades, two of which overlapped in southeastern Oregon. The three R. luteiventris clades were separated from each other by high levels of sequence divergence (average of 4.75–4.97%). Two divergent clades were also uncovered within the Great Basin. Low genetic variation in R. pretiosa and the southeastern Oregon clade of R. luteiventris suggests concern about their vulnerability to extinction.