Distribution and evolution of the western European water frogs (genus <i>Pelophylax</i>) from Catalonia, northeastern Spain.

ABSTRACT: European water frogs from the genus Pelophylax are particular among amphibians as they can produce hybrids (named kleptons) reproducing by hybridogenesis. Four klepton species have been described in Europe: Pelophylax kl. esculentus, P. kl. hispanicus, P. kl. grafi, and the putative klepton PK. While most of these kleptons originated naturally in areas where the parental species occur in sympatry, human-mediated translocations of water frogs across Europe have altered this dynamic. As a result, several Pelophylax species and kleptons are now found outside their natural ranges, posing a threat to autochthonous water frogs. Additionally, the subtle morphological differences between Pelophylax species make hybrid identification an

SUBMITTER: Burriel-Carranza B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12462689 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature