B-chromosome and V-shaped spot asymmetry in the common frog (Rana temporaria L.) populations

Abstract

The common frog Rana temporaria is characterised by a large variety of colorations and dorsal patterns manifested by a V-shaped spot, which differs in the form, the number of elements and in the regularity. Some populations of R. temporaria are polymorphic for B-chromosome. V-shaped spot asymmetry and B-chromosome occurrence was studied in seven R. temporaria populations inventoried from Belarus country. The analysis of the dorsal V-shaped spot pattern asymmetry in brown frog populations implies that the persistence of additional chromosomes in populations may be one of the factors disturbing the developmental stability of some individuals. Although, Bs may confer some selective advantage to their carriers, which makes them react differently to environmental changes from do non-carriers.

Keywords: Asymmetry; Asymétrie; B-chromosome; Chromosome-B; La marque en forme de « V »; Rana temporaria; V- shaped spot.