New insights into the taxonomy of the skittering frog <em>Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis</em> complex (Schneider, 1799) (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences in southern Asia

Abstract

The Skittering frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) is considered to be a species complex distributed in southern and southeastern Asia. Genetic diversity and taxonomic status of populations across their ranges is unclear and existence of several cryptic species is expected. In this study we used sequence variation in the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene to elucidate the taxonomic status of Iranian populations of E. cyanophlyctis and compare their genetic diversity and divergence to populations from the Indian subcontinent. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the populations of E. cyanophlyctis from Iran, Bangladesh-Assam (northeastern India), southern India, and Sri Lanka are partitioned into different clades. At least four different haplogroups were detected which are here proposed to be considered as allopatric cryptic species. The sedimentation of the Helmand River into the Sistan depression during the Neogene and subsequent formation of dry land barriers are proposed to have caused the Iranian populations of skittering frogs to be disconnected from those of the Indian subcontinent, resulting in differentiation of these lineages. In addition, some populations from southern India and those from Sri Lanka that were previously recognized as E. cyanophlyctis belong to E. mudigere. A preliminary investigation on the genetic diversity of the populations from southeastern Iran highlights the low genetic diversity among these populations.