Diversity of Water Frogs Pelophylax spp. in Turkey: Do Mating Vocalizations Mirror Nominal Taxon Delimitation?

Informed conservation management requires exact knowledge on the species diversity of taxon group in focus within a geographic area, specifically occurrence endemics. In Turkey, there are three water frog taxa genus Pelophylax; one is widespread P. bedriagae, other two geographically restricted to either Thrace (P. ridibundus) or Anatolian Lake district caralitanus). The status Beyşehir caralitanus has been questioned since its proposal 2001. We recorded and analyzed advertisement release vocalizations at representative populations Pelophylax assess degree inter-taxon differentiation potential for premating isolation. found that bedriagae have much more similar than both compared ridibundus. A functional bioacoustic barrier between syntopy does not exist according our study. low mirrors earlier genetic, karyological, morphological findings. conclude frogs do deserve should be considered junior synonym bedriagae. Therefore, number endemic anuran Turkey decreases one.