Range-wide phylogeographic analysis of the spotted frog complex (Rana luteiventris and R. pretiosa) in northwestern North America

Abstract/Summary

The dynamic geological and climatic history of northwestern North America has made it a focal region for phylogeography. We conducted a range-wide phylogeographic analysis of the spotted frog complex (Rana luteiventris and R. pretiosa) across its range in northwestern North America to understand its evolutionary history and the distribution of clades to guide conservation of R. pretiosa and Great Basin R. luteiventris, both candidates for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data from a segment of the cytochrome b gene were obtained from 308 R. luteiventris and R. pretiosa from 98 sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one main R. pretiosa clade and 3 main R. luteiventris clades, 2 of which overlapped in southeastern Oregon. The 3 R. luteiventris clades were separated from each other by high levels of sequence divergence (average of 4.75–4.97%). Two divergent clades were also uncovered within the Great Basin. Low genetic variation in R. pretiosa and the southeastern Oregon clade of R. luteiventris highlights their vulnerability to extinction.