Hybrid Form Pelophylax esculentus-ridibundus (Amphibia, Ranidae) from the Tisa River Drainage: Its Origin and Evolutionary Potential

The genetic variation of the hybrid form Pelophylax esculentus-ridibundus and its parental species ( P. ridibundus ) of the Tisza River basin was analyzed. The decrease in the level of the inherited genome variation within the hybrid form in comparison with the parental species was demonstrated. A more significant divergence between the samples of the hybrid form than between the samples of marsh frog was found. No correlation between the species composition of the hybrid population and the level of genetic variation of the hybrid form was found. The evolutionary perspectives of clonal and hemiclonal forms of hybrid origin are discussed.