Migration and Gene Dispersal in Rana pipiens

Although the dominant burnsi gene is widely distributed in Minnesotapopulations of the leopard frog (Rana pipiens) at uniformlylow frequencies, estimates of the effective size of the breedingpopulations suggest that a wider range of gene frequencies mightbe expected due to random genetic drift. Observations of thespring, summer, and fall migrations, however, indicate a levelof migratory activity sufficient to prevent local divergencein gene frequencies. Temperature appears to play a major rolein the springtime migratory and breeding behavior of Rana pipiensin Minnesota.