Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hemei Wang, Yutian Liu, Lihong Chai, Hongyuan Wang
Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms of tail resorption in Rana chensinensis through histological and transcriptome analysis. The results showed that tail resorption was initiated before metamorphic climax and regressed after metamorphic climax. Additionally, the study analyzed the expression of tail-related genes.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anchal Varma, Kenneth B. Storey
Summary: The regulation of citrate synthase (CS) in the liver of wood frogs during freezing was investigated. Results showed a significant decrease in the activity and catalytic efficiency of CS in the frozen frogs' liver, along with a decrease in phosphorylation levels. These results suggest that CS activity is suppressed and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux is inhibited during freezing to support the frogs' survival in harsh winter conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Koshiro Eto, Masafumi Matsui, Takahiro Sugahara
Summary: This study examines the taxonomic relationship between two forms of Rana tagoi, a brown frog endemic to Japan, and identifies one form as a new species called Rana kyoto. The two species coexist in many areas in the Kinki District, but can be distinguished based on body size, coloration, and call characteristics. The new species shows a smaller body size compared to R. tagoi in sympatric populations, while R. tagoi exhibits a larger body size in sympatric populations with the new species, indicating character displacement in body size around the type locality of Rana kyoto.
Article
Zoology
Huijun Shen, Mengyu Xu, Xinyue Yang, Zhuo Chen, Nengwen Xiao, Xiaohong Chen
Summary: The taxonomy and composition of the Rana chensinensis species group in North China have been controversial. This study describes a new species, R. taihangensis sp. nov., based on field investigations and analysis of geographic populations from the Taihang and Qinling Mountains. The new species shows significant morphological and genetic differences from R. chensinensis and forms a sister taxon to R. kukunoris. The study also clarifies the distribution patterns of Rana species in North China.
ASIAN HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Negar Amiri, Somaye Vaissi, Fateme Aghamir, Reihaneh Saberi-Pirooz, Dennis Roedder, Elham Ebrahimi, Faraham Ahmadzadeh
Summary: The study assessed the impact of climatic changes on the phylogeography and spatial distribution of populations of the Hyrcanian wood frog in northern Iran using mtDNA sequences and species distribution modeling. The findings support both vicariance and dispersal events in shaping the species' genetic structure, and suggest that the species' range contracted in glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum and expanded to occupy Hyrcanian forests continuously. Future climate projections indicate a shift in the species' range to higher altitudes. Landscape connectivity analyses show higher population continuity in the central part of the range with isolated populations in the extremes.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Alexander J. Douglas, Barbara A. Katzenback
Summary: Wood frogs, with their remarkable ability to tolerate whole-body freezing, are widely distributed in North America and the only amphibian found north of the Arctic Circle. However, recent mass mortalities in wild juvenile wood frogs caused by Ranavirus spp. highlight the serious threat posed to wood frog populations. Despite limited knowledge of the wood frog immune system and antiviral response, they are being increasingly studied as a model to understand anuran immune systems and antiviral responses.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Aakriti Gupta, Kenneth B. Storey
Summary: Wood frogs experience prolonged freezing during winter, which leads to anoxia and other stresses. This study explores the role of notch signaling in enduring anoxia and found that it plays a vital role in cell communication and coordination under stress conditions. The results suggest that notch signaling may be associated with reduced energy expenditure, which helps in managing the energy crisis during anoxia.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Meihua Zhang, Cheng Li, Peng Yan, Bingjun Dong, Jianping Jiang
Summary: This study provides important information on the age structure and body size of the endemic frog species Rana kukunoris in Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve (JNNR). It highlights the influence of elevation and climatic factors on the life history traits of this species. The findings demonstrate the adaptive potential of R. kukunoris in response to environmental changes.
Article
Zoology
Wei Chen, Hongzhou Chen, Jiahong Liao, Min Tang, Haifen Qin, Zhenkun Zhao, Xueyan Liu, Yanfang Wu, Lichun Jiang, Lixia Zhang, Bohao Fang, Xueyun Feng, Baowei Zhang, Kerry Reid, Juha Merila
Summary: This study reports the genome assembly of Rana kukunoris, a high-altitude-adapted frog, providing valuable resources for studying life history evolution and adaptation to high-altitude environments.
FRONTIERS IN ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alexander J. Douglas, Laura A. Hug, Barbara A. Katzenback
Summary: Different bacterial skin microbiome compositions were found in North American wood frogs based on seasons and locations, with no significant effect of sex on microbiota diversity observed. The study indicates significant seasonal variation in wood frog skin microbiome structure, while the average diversity per frog remained consistent.
Article
Zoology
Zhi-Tong Lyu, Zhong Huang, Xiao-Wen Liao, Li Lin, Yong Huang, Ying-Yong Wang, Yun-Ming Mo
Summary: Nidirana guangxiensis sp. nov., a newly discovered music frog species from Mt Daming, Guangxi, southern China, differs from other congeners in genetic, vocalization, and morphological characteristics, providing valuable new information on the genus Nidirana.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Chang Fan, Yuning Liu, Yawei Wang, Ao Zhang, Wenqian Xie, Haolin Zhang, Qiang Weng, Meiyu Xu
Summary: The oviduct of Chinese brown frog undergoes seasonal morphological and functional changes, particularly expanding before brumation. Glycogen synthesis may play a role in the oviductal expansion during pre-brumation in Rana dybowskii.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Chris K. Elvidge, Chloe E. Robinson, Rowena A. Caza, L. Mark Hewitt, Richard A. Frank, Diane M. Orihel
Summary: Environmental pollutants disrupt chemical communication in aquatic organisms. Early-life exposure to NAFCs from oil sands tailings disrupts antipredator-associated chemical communication in larval amphibians. Understanding the effects of NAFC exposure on antipredator responses is important.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Li-Qiu Zhang, Ling -Ling Lv, Xiao-Tian Jiang, Yu Chen, Min-Yan Piao, Su-Yun Shi
Summary: In this study, collagen with a molecular weight less than 10000 Da was extracted and purified from the skin of Rana chensinensis, and its gastric protective mechanism was studied through the model of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in Balb/c mice. The results showed that PCRCS could protect gastric mucosa and alleviate the damage of ethanol to gastric mucosa, which may be achieved by inhibiting oxidative stress and stomach inflammation.
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Somaye Vaissi, Sahar Rezaei
Summary: The study found that the two regional clades of the Hyrcanian wood frog, WRC and ERC, have undergone substantial niche divergence and are constrained by a unique set of climatic and macro-environmental conditions. This research based on phylogenetic data provides new insights into species diversification processes in the Hyrcanian forests.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
