AMRE-1366_Supplementary material.pdf (518.26 kB)
Download fileIntrogressive hybridization between the endangered native Bombina pachypus and the introduced B. variegata in a protected area in central Italy
journal contribution
posted on 2020-06-29, 08:07 authored by Lorenzo Talarico, Marco Ciambotta, Andrea Tiberi, Marco MattocciaAmphibians are
experiencing an ascertained global decline, which causes include the
introduction of alien species and the (anthropogenic) hybridization between
native and exotic taxa. Detecting introductions and assessing their impact on populations
of native species is crucial for amphibian conservation. We used mitochondrial
and nuclear markers to reveal introgressive hybridization between the native Bombina pachypus and the exotic B. variegata (probably introduced from
Albania) in a population from a
protected area of central Italy. Almost all genotyped individuals were
genetically admixed, showing a larger proportion of the allochthonous genome.
To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of successful
hybridization between the two species (we found both putative F1 and
backcrosses), hence representing a new threat to the conservation of the
endangered, Italian-endemic B. pachypus.