New information from experimental crosses on genetic relationships within the Rana pipiens species group

Diploid crosses among Rana palustris, R. areolata, R. megapoda, R. montezumae, and three different forms of the Rana pipiens complex demonstrated a high level of genetic compatibility for most combinations. The results support inclusion of R. montezumae within the R. pipiens species group, and suggest a particularly close relationship between R. montezumae and R. megapoda. The only crosses to indicate pronounced incompatibility involved R. p. berlandieri. Crosses between Texas R. p. berlandieri and R. areolata, R. megapoda, and R. montezumae produced lethal syndromes of embryonic abnormalities. The other forms of R. pipiens that occur in Texas, R. p. sphenocephala and the southern plains type, proved to be highly compatible with these same species. Although all R. palustris X R. pipiens crosses produced normal larvae, embryonic defects were most pronounced with R. p. berlandieri. Rana p. spenocephala X southern plains and R. p. spenocephala X R. p. berlandieri combinations are at least moderately compatible. Striking defects appeared in southern plains ♀ X R. p. berlandieri ♂ crosses, however, although development proceeded to larva in crosses between allopatric populations, and hybrid males were fertile. Rana p. berlandieri appears to be highly incompatible with northern R. p. pipiens. The evidence from crossing experiments indicates that R. pipiens berlandieri has a highly distinctive genome, and strongly supports the separation of this from from R. pipiens as a distinct species. Developmental incompatibility in crosses within the R. pipiens species group and within the R. pipiens complex may be influenced by differences in temperature adaptation, but other factors are clearly involved.

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