A ranavirus associated with mass mortalities in wild water frogs (Pelophylax spp.) and other amphibians in the Netherlands since 2010 was isolated, and its complete genome sequence was determined. The virus has a genome of 107,772 bp and shows 96.5% sequence identity with the common midwife toad virus from Spain.

immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) are among the most polymorphic genes in the vertebrate genome. due to their polymorphic nature, they are often used to assess the adaptive genetic variability of natural populations. this study describes the first molecular characterization of 13 partial mhc class iib sequences from three european ranid frogs.  the utility of previously...

Ranaviruses were isolated from wild edible frogs (Pelophylax esculentus) during epizootics in Denmark and Italy. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that these isolates are closely related and belong to a clade of ranaviruses that includes the Andrias davidianus ranavirus (ADRV), common midwife toad ranavirus (CMTV), Testudo hermanni ranavirus (THRV), and pike-perch iridovirus (PPIV).

The European water frog Pelophylax esculentus is a natural hybrid between P. lessonae (genotype LL) and P. ridibundus (RR). It reproduces through hybridogenesis, eliminating one parental genome from its germline and producing gametes containing the genome of the other parental species. According to previous studies, this elimination and transmission pattern is very diverse. In mixed populations...

One way to assess the impacts of toxicants on populations anurans is through developmental stability (DS) - ability buffer stresses during development stages. To extent possible perturbations in DS frogs that inhabit a polluted industrial area east Plovdiv city, Bulgaria, we applied analysis fluctuating asymmetry (FA) ten morphological traits P. ridibundus. As control group, used animals inhabi...

Immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are among the most polymorphic genes in the vertebrate genome. Due to their polymorphic nature, they are often used to assess the adaptive genetic variability of natural populations. This study describes the first molecular characterization of 13 partial MHC class IIB sequences from three European ranid frogs.  The utility of previously...

To investigate the occurrence of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in France, we examined 575 amphibians collected between 1875 and 2008 for the presence of the infection in the epidermis. We confirmed Bd in seven of the 15 stations investigated in the Aquitaine and Poitou-Charentes regions. Histological examination revealed the presence of the infectious agent as...

On the basis of molecular genetic analysis intron-1 nuclear serum albumin gene (SAI-1) were identified 177 individuals Pelophylax esculentus complex 9 localities Belgorod. Two types population systems R and RE identified. Pure populations L-type, E-type LE-type as well P. lessonae not

In many organisms, the specification of cell fate and the formation of embryonic axes depend on a proper distribution of maternal mRNAs during oogenesis. Asymmetrically localized determinants are required both for embryonic axes and germline determination in anuran amphibians. As a model system of these processes, we have used a species complex of the genus Pelophylax (Rana), characterized by a...