Description of two new species of Microhyla (Anura: Microhylidae) from Bangladesh.

Two new frog species belonging to genus Microhyla from the southeast, central and northeast regions of Bangladesh are described. Based on a molecular phylogeny derived from mitochondrial DNA sequences, one of the new species forms a clade with M. fissipes, while the second new species is sister to this clade.

Cryptic anuran biodiversity in Bangladesh revealed by mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences.

To survey the diversity of anuran species in Bangladesh, we compared mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (approximately 1.4 kbp) from 107 Bangladesh frog specimens. The results of genetic divergence and phylogenetic analyses incorporating data from related species revealed the occurrence of at least eight cryptic species.

A new species of the Fejervarya limnocharis complex from Japan (Anura, Dicroglossidae).

We describe a new species of dicroglossid frog of the Fejervarya limnocharis complex from western Honshu, Japan Mainland. The new species, Fejervarya kawamurai, is genetically closer to F. sakishimensis than to F.

From Antarctica or Asia? New colonization scenario for Australian-New Guinean narrow mouth toads suggested from the findings on a mysterious genus Gastrophrynoides.

Background: Microhylidae is a geographically widespread family of anurans. Although several extensive molecular analyses have attempted to elucidate their subfamilial relationships, and correlate these with Mesozoic and Cenozoic continental drifts, consensus has not been reached. Further, generic level relationships have not been well investigated in some microhylid subfamilies, and therefore subfamilial affiliations of some genera are still unclear.

Molecular phylogeny of the diversified frogs of genus Fejervarya (Anura: Dicroglossidae).

Consensus on the taxonomic system and phylogenetic relationships for the anuran genus Fejervarya has yet to be established. Morphological characters in this genus are generally unsuitable for species identification. To carry out molecular species identification and solve phylogenetic problems, we collected 67 Fejervarya specimens from 12 Asian countries and sequenced part of the mitochondrial (mt) Cytb gene.

Genetic divergence and reproductive isolation in the genus Fejervarya (Amphibia: Anura) from Bangladesh inferred from morphological observations, crossing experiments, and molecular analyses.

In the present study, morphological examinations, crossing experiments and molecular analyses were performed to elucidate the degree of genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Fejervarya from Bangladesh and other Asian countries. Morphological characteristics revealed that Fejervarya species from Bangladesh were divided into four distinct groups: large, medium, small, and mangrove types. Crossing experiments indicated the involvement of three reproductive isolating mechanisms: gametic isolation between the large type and mangrove type, hybrid inviability between the large type and two other types, and hybrid sterility between the medium and small types.

Genetic divergence and evolutionary relationships in six species of genera Hoplobatrachus and Euphlyctis (Amphibia: Anura) from Bangladesh and other Asian countries revealed by mitochondrial gene sequences.

To elucidate the species composition, genetic divergence, evolutionary relationships, and divergence time of Hoplobatrachus and Euphlyctis frogs (subfamily Dicroglossinae, family Ranidae) in Bangladesh and other Asian countries, we analyzed the mitochondrial Cyt b, 12S, and 16S rRNA genes of 252 specimens. Our phylogenetic analyses showed 13 major clades corresponding to several cryptic species as well as to nominal species in the two genera. The results suggested monophyly of Asian Hoplobatrachus species, but the position of African Hoplobatrachus occipitalis was not clarified.

Morphological divergence, reproductive isolating mechanism, and molecular phylogenetic relationships among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan populations of the Fejervarya limnocharis complex (Anura, Ranidae).

In order to elucidate the taxonomic status of the Fejervarya limnocharis complex relative to Malaysia and Japan populations, morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis were carried out using three populations from Indonesia (type locality), Malaysia, and Japan. In addition, we conducted histological and spermatogenic observations using hybrids among these populations. Principal component and cluster analyses demonstrated that these populations could be clearly separated from one another.

Genetic relationships and reproductive-isolation mechanisms among the Fejervarya limnocharis complex from Indonesia (Java) and other Asian countries.

In order to elucidate the genetic relationships and reproductive-isolation mechanisms among the Fejervarya limnocharis complex from Indonesia and other Asian countries, allozyme analyses and crossing experiments were carried out using 208 individuals from 21 localities in eight Asian countries. The allozyme analyses revealed that 17 enzymes examined were controlled by genes at 27 loci, and that 7.9 phenotypes were produced by 5.

Molecular phylogeny of the ranid frogs from Southwest India based on the mitochondrial ribosomal RNA gene sequences.

The Western Ghats of Southwestern India are known as one of the world's "hotspots" of biodiversity. We collected frog specimens from the family Ranidae and investigated the phylogenetic relationships among ranid species, particularly among the Fejervarya, a genus whose morphological diagnostic characteristics and phylogenetic features remain little known. We analyzed partial sequences of the mitochondrial 12S (428 bp) and 16S rDNAs (549 bp).

Maternal transfer of organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls in frogs to their eggs.

Previous study confirmed that there were sexual differences in concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and dioxins in frogs during the breeding season. The present study utilized the egg masses from the previous study to determine the cause(s) of the sexual differences. When concentrations of the detected chemicals were compared between the female frogs and their eggs, it was found that the concentrations in the eggs were several times those in their mothers.

Congener-specific analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls in frogs and their habitats, Kitakyushu, Japan.

The occurrence and fates of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (coplanar PCBs) were investigated in two species of frog, mountain brown frog (Rana ornativentris) and Japanese brown frog (Rana japonica), and in soil samples. This study was carried out as part of an investigation aimed at determining the cause of extra forelimbs in the mountain brown frog. Frogs, not including malformed ones, and soil samples were collected at three sites in Kitakyushu, Japan, including the site where the malformed frogs were found and two reference sites.