Taxonomy and evolution of European brown frogs

Phylogenetic relationships within the Euro-Mediterranean stock of the Rana temporaria species group (R. temporaria, R. iberica, R. cameranoi, R. macrocnemis, R. holtzi, R. dalmatina, R. graeca, R. latastei) were studied by (1) morphometric analysis, (2) osteological study and (3) electrophoresis. The three data sets were analysed independently and phenograms and cladograms examined for congruent patterns. The tree resulting from electrophoretic analysis is the most clearly resolved (and being also compatible with the other two) is assumed to represent the most likely phylogeny of the Mediterranean brown frogs. Patterns indicated by electrophoretic data matched the molecular clock-hypothesis. This suggests that the first split of the main stock of Mediterranean brown frogs separated ancestors of Rana temporaria and R. iberica from the others during the Late Pleistocene. A second split occurred separating the ancestors of what are currently the other big-bodied and the small-bodied brown frogs. The relationships between and within the three main stocks are discussed in the context of biogeographical and geological data.