The control region is considered to be one of the most variable parts of animal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We compared the mtDNA control region from 37 species representing 14 genera and 4 subfamilies of Ranidae, to analyze the evolution of the control region and to determine their phylogenetic relationship. All the Ranidae species had a single control region, except four species that had two r...

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial (mt) genome of the crab-eating frog, Fejervarya cancrivora Gravenhorst (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), was determined. The mt genome is 17,843 bp long and contains 13 protein-coding (ATP6, ATP8, COI-III, ND1-6 and 4L, and Cyt b) and two ribosomal RNA (12S and 16SrRNA) genes. Although metazoan mt genomes typically encode 22 transfer RNA genes (tR...

Frogs (Lissamphibia: Anura) use adhesive tongues to capture fast moving, elusive prey. For this, the tongues are moved quickly and adhere instantaneously to various prey surfaces. Recently, the functional morphology of frog tongues was discussed in context of their adhesive performance. It was suggested that the interaction between the tongue surface and the mucus coating is important for gener...

Differences in species richness between regions are ultimately explained by patterns of speciation, extinction, and biogeographic dispersal. Yet, few studies have considered the role of all three processes in generating the high biodiversity of tropical regions. A recent study of a speciose group of predominately New World frogs (Hylidae) showed that their low diversity in temperate regions was...

Few studies have explored the role of Cenozoic tectonic evolution in shaping the patterns and processes of extant animal distributions in and around East Asia. In this study, we selected South Chinese brown frogs as a model to examine the phylogenetic and biogeographical consequences of Miocene tectonic events within South China and its margins. We used mitochondrial and nuclear molecular data ...

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...

Comparative studies of chondrocranial morphology in larval anurans are typically qualitative in nature, focusing primarily on discrete variation or gross differences in the size or shape of individual structures. Detailed data on chondrocranial allometry are currently limited to only two species, Rana sylvatica and Bufo americanus. This study uses geometric morphometric and multivariate statist...

Allozyme analysis for 41 populations of brown frog species, Rana dybowskii, R. huanrenensis, and R. amurensis from Korea and three reference species (Chinese R. chensinensis and Japanese R. dybowskii and R. tsushimensis), were performed to clarify taxonomic status of Korean brown frogs. The level of average genetic differentiation (Nei's D) among local populations of each species in Korea was v...

We provide a checklist of 45 species amphibians from Lai Chau Province, northwestern Vietnam. Thirteen are recorded for the first time Province; these include four Dicroglossidae, Megophryidae, three Ranidae, and two Rhacophoridae. also descriptions newly species. The amphibian fauna Province is high conservation concern, with endemic to Vietnam, 10 listed in IUCN Red List, Data Book

We describe a new species of forest frog (genus Platymantis) from Mt. Malinao, Bicol Peninsula, southern Luzon Island, The Philippines. The new species is distinguished from congeners by a moderate body size (28.3–39.1 mm for eight males; 49.8–52.7 in two females), slightly expanded terminal finger and toe disks, a distinct color pattern, a unique microhabitat preference, and various spectral a...