Taxonomic investigations on six populations of the water frog,Rana esculentacomplex from peninsular Italy and Sicily

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Abstract
Populations of the water frog, Rana esculenta complex, in peninsular Italy and Sicily are composed of two distinct forms termed ≪Southern Italian hybrid≫ and ≪Southern Italian non‐hybrid≫. The presence and the relative percentages of the two forms vary from site to site. Morphological and biochemical features of five frog populations of peninsular Italy (Colfiorito, Lesina, Castelvolturno, Monticchio and Cecita) and of one frog population of Sicily (Adrano) revealed only non‐hybrid individuals on peninsular Italy, and both hybrid and non‐hybrid specimens at Adrano. These data integrate previous observations on Italian water frogs and help define the local composition of these anuran populations.