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

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