First record of Pelophylax bedriagae (Amphibia; Ranidae) in the north of Iran

Water frogs of the genus Pelophylax comprise several species widespread in a multitude of freshwater habitats across western Palearctic. The aim of this research was to understand the taxonomic status of the genus Pelophylax in the north of Iran. The specimens were found in permanent wetlands in Astaneh Ashrafiyeh city of Guilan Province (49° 59 33.85˶ N and 37° 21 50.85˶ E) at an elevation of -18 m a.s.l. Sampling carried out using the handle tour. The entire mtDNA genome was extracted from skeletal muscle extracts using the Kit method, after morphological description and coloration and biometric studies. A partial sequence of mitochondrial Cyt b gene was investigated for molecular identity and confirmed using BLAST (http: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/ BLAST ). The obtained molecular data clearly indicate that East Guilan province water frogs Include 2 species, that Pelophylax bedriagae report for fthe irst time of north of Iran. GenBank Accession Numbers for the sequences obtained of Pelophylax bedriagae are: (LCOO2752- LCOO2754) & (LCOO2789- LCOO2792). This species has been reported from north western and southwestern of Iran, Israel, Egypt, Syria, and western and southern Turkey.

Keywords:

First record , Pelophylax bedriagae , Iran , Guilan province