Hemiclone Diversity in the Hybrid Form Pelophylax esculentus-ridibundus (Amphibia, Ranidae) from the Prypyat, Dnestr, and Southern Boug River Basins

Abstract

The hemiclonal structure of the Pelophylax esculentus-ridibundus hybrid form from the Pripyat, Dniester, and Southern Boug river basins is analyzed. The interbasin and interpopulation differences in the inherited genome variation level are demonstrated. The genetic diversity level of the P. esculentus-ridibundus inherited genome in the Pripyat basin is significantly lower than in the other two basins. Monoclonal populations of this hybrid form have been identified only in the Pripyat basin. There were no significant differences in the genetic variability level of this hybrid form between the populations of the Dniester and Southern Boug basins. The relationship between the variability level of the inherited genome of the hybrid form and the potentially possible multiple hybridization of parental species is analyzed.