Study of color polymorphism and sexual dimorphism of pelophylax in the west and ridibundus sensulato (Ranidae: Anura) populations southwest of Kohgiluyeh Va Boyer-Ahmad province

Abstract

Introduction: Pelophylax ridibundus sensulato belongs to the family Ranidae.
Materials & Methods: 56 specimens from Dishmook, Likak and Dehdasht areas were
collected in spring and summer (2019-2020).
Results: Seven different morphs of this species were identified. The highest frequency was
related to morph one. According to the analysis, the mean values and standard deviations of all
morphometric characters of Dishmook' samples are higher than the other two regions. Respect
to t-test, sexual dimorphism was observed. Analysis of variance showed significant differences
between the studied groups in both male and female frogs. Separation between male
populations in all traits (except horizontal diameter of eye) was observed. Separation between
female populations in all characters was also observed. Based on discriminant analysis, both
functions were significant. Statistical results showed that frogs of Dishmook are somewhat
different from the other two regions that can be related to different geographical conditions and
higher altitude.
Conclusion: Overall 84% of males and 87.1% of females were placed in their expected groups.