Genetic Variation among various populations of spadefoot toads (Pelobates syriacus, Boettger, 1869) at breeding sites in northern Israel

Gad  Degani

doi:10.4236/abc.2013.35047

Gad Degani^*

Abstract: A genetic study was carried out on spadefoot toads (Pelobates syriacus) from habitats of various locations and altitudes in northern Israel. Cytochrome b and 12S were amplified by PCR for the analysis of genetic variation based on five DNA polymorphisms and for RAPD PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA fragments were determined from a 460 bp clone of cytochrome b and a 380 bp clone of 12S (GenBank accession numbers, FJ595199-FJ59-5203). No genetic variation was found among the populations with regard to 12S. According to the analysis of five sequences using Arlequin software, there was a high gene identity among the populations (98.7%-99.6%). Both populations, Elrom Pond breeding site, at the highest altitude and Fara Pond, at the lowest, had the lowest identities as compared to other populations. The DNA variation among P. syri-acus populations from various breeding sites, according to band sharing (BS), when using the OP-4 primer, was 0.92-1.00. Similarity was low between the population of Elrom Pond and the populations of Kash Pond, Raihania Pond and Sasa Pond (0.92 BS), as well as between the population of Fara Pond at the lowest altitude, and the populations of Kash Pond, Raihania Pond and Sasa Pond (0.92 BS). Similar results were obtained when comparing the results obtained using primer OPA-3. The lowest similarity was found between populations of the highest altitude (Elrom Pond) and lowest altitude (Fara Pond), relative to the other ponds (Kash Pond, Raihania Pond and Sasa Pond) with a BS of 0.93.

Keywords: Spadefoot Toads; Pelobates syriacus; Cytochrome b; 12S; DNA Fragments

Cite this paper: Degani, G. (2013) Genetic Variation among various populations of spadefoot toads (Pelobates syriacus, Boettger, 1869) at breeding sites in northern Israel. Advances in Biological Chemistry, 3, 440-447. doi: 10.4236/abc.2013.35047.

References

[1] Roelants, K. and Bossuyt, F. (2005) Archaeobatrachian paraphyly and pangaean diversification of crown-group frogs. Systematic Biology, 54, 111-126.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10635150590905894

[2] Veith, M., Fromhage, L., Kosuch, J. and Vences, M. (2006) Historical biogeography of Western Palaearctic pelobatid and pelodytid frogs: A molecular phylogenetic perspective. Contributions to Zoology, 75, 109-120.

[3] Dzukic, G., Beskov, V., Sidorovska, V., Cogalniceanu, D. and Kalezic, L.M. (2005) Historical and contemporary ranges of the spadefood toads Pelobates spp. (Amphibia: Anura) in the Balkan Peninsula. Acta Zoological Cracoviensia, 48A, 1-9.

[4] Garcia-Paris, M., Buchholz, D.R. and Parra-Olea, G. (2003) Phylogenetic relationships of Pelobatoidea re-examined using mtDNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 28, 12-23.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00036-8

[5] Eiselt, J. (1988) Krotenfrosche (Pelobates gen., Amphibia, Salientia) in Turkisch-Thrakien und Griechenland. Annalen des Naturrhistorischen Museums in. Win. Serie B. fur Botanid und Zoologia, 90B, 51-59.

[6] Ugurtas, I.H., Ljubisavljevic, K., Sidorovska, V., Kalezic, M.L. and Dzukic, G. (2002) Morphological differentiation of eastern spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus) populations. Israel Journal of Zoology, 48, 13-32.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1560/UMHA-6J3N-FUG9-D7EV

[7] Eggert, C., Cogalniceanu, D., Veith, M., Dzukic, G. and Taberlet, P. (2006) The declining spadefoot toad, Pelobates fuscus (Pelobatidae): Paleo and recent environmental changes as a major influence on current population structure and status. Conservation Genetics, 2, 185-195.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-006-9124-y

[8] Degani, G. and Kaplan, D. (1999) Distribution of amphibian larvae in Israeli habitats with changeable water availability. Hydrobiologia, 405, 49-56.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1003796820900

[9] Degani, G. (1982) Amphibian tadpole interaction in winter pond. Hydrobiologia, 96, 3-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00006274

[10] Degani, G. (1986) Growth and behavior of six species of amphibian larvae in winter pond in Israel. Hydrobiologia, 140, 5-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00006723

[11] Degani, G. and Carmali, D. (1988) Burrowing behavior of Pelobates syriacus. Biology of Behaviour, 13, 22-29.

[12] Degani, G., Goldenberg, S. and Warburg, M.R. (1983) Changes in ion, urea concentrations and blood plasma osmolarity of Pelobates syriacus juveniles under varying conditions. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 75A, 619-623.

[13] Warburg, M.R. (1995) Hormonal effect on osmotic, electrolyte and nitrogen balance in terrestrial amphibian. Zoological Science, 12, 1-11.

[14] Degani, G. and Mendelssohn, H. (1990) Plants and animals of the land of Israel. 2nd Edition, The Publication House Society for Protection of Nature, Israel, 190-221.

[15] Gafny, S. (1986) The biology and ecology of the Syrian spadefoot toad Pelobates syraicus syriacus in Israel. Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv.

[16] Gafny, S. (2004) Threatened amphibians of Israel. In: Dolev, A. and Perevolotsky, A., Eds., The Red Book of Vertebrates in Israel. Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority and Society for Protection of Nature, Israel Press, Jerusalem.

[17] Nevo, E. (1976) Adaptive strategies of genetic systems in constant and varying environments. In: Karlin, S. and Nevo, E., Eds., Population Genetics and Ecology, Academic Press, New York, 141-158.

[18] Nevo, E. and Beiles, A. (1991) Genetic diversity and ecological heterogeneity in amphibian evolution. Copeia, 1991, 565-592.

[19] Jeffreys, A.J. and Morton, D.B. (1987) DNA fingerprints of dogs and cats. Animal Genetics, 18, 1-15

[20] Wetton, J.H., Carter, R.E., Parkin, D.T. and Walters, D. (1987) Demographic study of a wild house sparrow population by DNA fingerprinting. Nature, 327, 147-149.

[21] Parker, R. (1976) Introduction of statistics for biology. Camelot Press, Southampton.

[22] Munwes, I., Geffen, E., Roll, U., Friedmann, A., Daya, A., Tikochinski, Y. and Gafny, S. (2010) The change in genetic diversity down the core-edge gradient in the eastern spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus). Molecular Ecology, 19, 2675-2689.

[23] Degani, G., Jackson, K., Dosoretz, C. and Plotzky, Y. (1999) Molecular DNA variation in Salamandra s. infraimmaculata from different habitats. Israel Journal of Zoology, 44, 239-246.

[24] Goldberg, T., Pearlson, O., Nevo, E. and Degani, G. (2007) Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Salamandra infraimmaculata larvae from habitats in northern Israel. Progrese si Perspective in Medicina Veterinara-Lucrari stiintifice, 50, 23-31.

[25] Pearlson, O. and Degani, G. (2007) Molecular DNA variations among Triturus vittatus vittatus (Urodela) from different breeding sites at the southern limit of its distribution. Acta Herpetological Journal, 2, 69-77.

[26] Degani, G. (1996) The salamander at the southern limit of its distribution. Laser Pages Publishing, Israel.

[27] Degani, G. and Mendelssohn, H. (1983) The habitats, distribution and life history of Triturus vittatus vittatus (Jenyns) in the Mount Meron Area (Upper Galilee, Israel). British Journal of Herpetology, 6, 317-319.

[28] Pearlson, O. and Degani, G. (2008) The life history of Triturus v. vittatus (Urodela) in various habitats. Asiatic Herpetological Research, 11, 91-95.