6533b85bfe1ef96bd12bb38f

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Molecular markers and species delimitation: examples from the European batrachofauna

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AbstractMolecular techniques have revolutionised zoological systematics since the beginning of the seventies. Within the last twenty years numerous new amphibian species have been described in Europe almost solely on the basis of molecular data. This paper focuses on the use of molecular character state and genetic distance data for the delimitation of species. Case studies of European anurans (Discoglossus, water frogs of the genus Rana) are discussed in the framework of concurring species concepts to illustrate problems of assigning species status to divergent populations on the basis of molecular data.