The dissertation is the first work accomplished on the territory of four zoogeographic regions of Ukraine (Carpathian, Forest-Steppe, Polissian, and Roztochian-Podolian) with the usage of classical zoological and molecular methods in combination to study green frogs. In total 587 individuals of green frogs, belonging to three taxonomic groups were sampled from 12 locations and analyzed.
The morphometric, phenetic, and genetic diversity of green frogs were studied. Also, the analysis of chemical composition of water in sampling localities was performed. Stability of a spermatogenesis in males of Marsh Frog sampled in waterbodies of different water quality classes was estimated. Effect of zoogeographic location, water quality and population system type on the diversity of green frogs was investigated.
On the study territory, populations of Marsh Frog were found in localities near town Nyzhankovychi, v. Perekalky, and town Ivano-Frankove. Population of the R-E-type was found in waterbodies near v. Zhovtantsi, R-E-Et-type of hemiclonal population system was detected in waterbodies of Koriyakov Yar, in the valley of Siverskyi Donets river and in Iskiv pond. Population of L-E-type was found in lake Svitiaz. R-E-L-type population is present in waterbodies near Velykyi Lubin, in lake Luky, lake Pisochne and near the Cholgyni village.
The least diverse is the sample from Nyzhankovychi, where only Marsh Frog is present. The sample from Cholgyni is the most variable in respect of intrapopulation genetic diversity. Less diverse is the sample from the Shatsk National Park.
In the sample, taken from ponds in Cholgyni ornithological reserve, two individuals of hybrid geneses in the first generation were found. Also, two backcrosses were detected. One, with the parental species Marsh Frog, and another – Pool Frog. The majority of individuals in the sample were not hybrids. It may be explained either by recent occurrence of hybridization on the study area, or by low survival of hybrids here. Opposite situation with the distribution of taxons and hybrids is observed in the Shatsk National Park, were hybrids of the first generation and backcrosses with Marsh Frog dominate over individuals of parental species.
Variability of 24 morphometric measurements and of 63 indices of green frogs was analyzed. Indices, indicating sex and age of an individual were found. It was proven that F./T. index allows correct taxonomic identification in 70 % of individuals.
Phenetic features were checked for dependencies with sex, maturity and taxonomic belonging to a group. The most variable in studied features are individuals of Marsh Frog. The least variable are individuals of Pool Frog. Hybrid individuals take the intermediate position in respect of phenetic variability between two parent species.
Also, for the first time, analysis of the influence of water quality on the stability of a spermatogenesis was done for studied localities. The relation between size of gonads and levels of water pollution was found but the similar relation with the stability of a spermatogenesis was not proven.
Effect of the zoogeographic location of green frog sampling sites on their morphophenetic variability was found (р<0,05). The same was proven in the case of water chemical pollution (р<0,05) and type of population system (р<0,05). Influence of water pollution on variability is positive. Population system in contrary has a negative effect if the type is hemiclonal.
