Distribution and habitat use of water frog hybrid complexes in France |
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Authors: | Alain Pagano Pierre André Crochet J-D Graf Pierre Joly Thierry Lodé |
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Institution: | Universitéd'Angers, laboratoire d'écologie animale, Campus Belle Beille, 2 bvd Lavoisier, 49045 Angers cedex, France, E-mail:;, Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France,;Laboratoire Génome, Populations, Interactions, Universitéde Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France,;UniversitéLyon 1, Laboratoire d'écologie des hydrosystèmes, bat 401c, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France,;Laboratoire central de chimie clinique, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | Hybrid zones are either distributed along clines or in a mosaic of patches. This distribution may depend upon variation in taxon habitat use. Habitat use and distribution of diverse taxa of water frogs (Rana ridibunda, R. lessonae, R. perezi, R. kl. grafi and R. kl. esculenta) in France are analysed to determine whether water frog complexes conform to the mosaic or clinal model. Biogeographical scenarios may be invoked in order to explain the distribution of water frogs. However, the distribution of R. perezi and R. kl. grafi, being restricted to regions characterized by Mediterranean or Oceanic climatic conditions, suggests that these frogs do not endure cold winters. R. ridibunda is widespread in Southern France and its distribution suggests multiple introductions. It is concluded that water frogs conform to the mosaic zone model rather than to the tension zone model because: (i) taxa exhibited differences in habitat use, (ii) pure parental species were documented and (iii) hybrids are not unfit relative to parental species. |
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Keywords: | Amphibians France hybrid zone mosaic zone model Rana species tension zone model water frogs |
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