Discovery of a new cryptic species of frog belonging to genus Pristimantis, and documenting its distribution through quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)
Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Advisor
Alessandro M. Catenazzi
Start Date
30-9-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
30-9-2020 10:00 AM
Abstract
The study aims to answer the question regarding possible cryptic speciation along elevation in the Andean mountains of Peru. Cryptic species have long misled researchers to believe two species with similar morphology are the same species. However, recent technological advances in the 21 st century such as qPCR and genetic testing have led to countless identification of various cryptic species. The purpose of this study is to investigate cryptic species of frogs similar to Pristimantis pharangobates occurring in the same area, in the mountains of southern Peru. Using over 1060 skin swab samples obtained from the type locality of P. pharangobates and qPCR methods, this study analyzed mitochondrial DNA base pairs of the cytochrome oxidase I for discordance with respect to visual identification among samples of Pristimantis collected from 1900-2900 m a.s.l. We found discordance in 287 samples, all of which were found below 2140 m a.s.l., with very few specimens of either haplotype occurring beyond their elevation limits. Lack of overlap in the contact zone suggests limited gene flow between the two populations. To provide further support for the lower population being a cryptic species of P. pharangobates, we conducted phylogenetic analyses including additional genetic markers, and made morphological and bioacoustic comparisons. Result findings support the hypothesis of a distinct new species, however further studies of nuclear DNA are needed to examine whether hybrids of the two cryptic species occur in the region.
File Type
Event
Discovery of a new cryptic species of frog belonging to genus Pristimantis, and documenting its distribution through quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)
The study aims to answer the question regarding possible cryptic speciation along elevation in the Andean mountains of Peru. Cryptic species have long misled researchers to believe two species with similar morphology are the same species. However, recent technological advances in the 21 st century such as qPCR and genetic testing have led to countless identification of various cryptic species. The purpose of this study is to investigate cryptic species of frogs similar to Pristimantis pharangobates occurring in the same area, in the mountains of southern Peru. Using over 1060 skin swab samples obtained from the type locality of P. pharangobates and qPCR methods, this study analyzed mitochondrial DNA base pairs of the cytochrome oxidase I for discordance with respect to visual identification among samples of Pristimantis collected from 1900-2900 m a.s.l. We found discordance in 287 samples, all of which were found below 2140 m a.s.l., with very few specimens of either haplotype occurring beyond their elevation limits. Lack of overlap in the contact zone suggests limited gene flow between the two populations. To provide further support for the lower population being a cryptic species of P. pharangobates, we conducted phylogenetic analyses including additional genetic markers, and made morphological and bioacoustic comparisons. Result findings support the hypothesis of a distinct new species, however further studies of nuclear DNA are needed to examine whether hybrids of the two cryptic species occur in the region.