Molecular and morphological evidence for Rana kunyuensis as a junior synonym of Rana coreana (Anura: Ranidae)
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Journal of Herpetology
Publication Date
6-2015
Volume
49
Issue
2
First Page
302
Last Page
307
Publisher
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Abstract
We investigate the relationship between Rana coreana and Rana kunyuensis using morphological and molecular data. Morphological comparisons showed these two species to be identical in terms of body measurements and qualitative characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses found that R. kunyuensis and R. coreana are nested within a single clade and exhibited low divergence across several mitochondrial and nuclear genes. All evidence indicates that R. kunyuensis and R. coreana are the same species, making R. kunyuensis a junior synonym of R. coreana. This study stresses the importance of comprehensive taxon sampling, especially in neighboring countries.
DOI
10.1670/13-111
Print ISSN
00221511
E-ISSN
19372418
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2015 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Zhou, Y., Yang, B.-T., Li, P.-P., Min, M.-S., Fong, J. J., Dong, B.-J., ...Lu, Y.-Y. (2015). Molecular and morphological evidence for Rana kunyuensis as a junior synonym of Rana coreana (Anura: Ranidae). Journal of Herpetology, 49(2), 302-307. doi: 10.1670/13-111