Multiple genetic lineages challenge the monospecific status of the West African endemic frog family Odontobatrachidae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Correct species identification is crucial in different fields of biology, and in conservation. The endemic West African frog family Odontobatrachidae currently contains a single described species, Odontobatrachus natator. From western Guinea to western Côte d'Ivoire it inhabits forests around waterfalls or cascades. Based on more than 130 specimens from 78 localities, covering the entire distribution, we investigated the molecular diversity of these frogs.

Results

Our analyses included mitochondrial and nuclear genes, with a concatenated alignment of 3527 base pairs. We detected high level of genetic differentiation with five distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These OTUs were also identified by two different species delimitation approaches, G

SUBMITTER: Barej MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4425868 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature