First molecular characterization of invasive alien populations of Pelophylax kurtmuelleri (Gayda, 1940)

Many introduced species cause harm to the environment through predation, hybridization, transmission of pathogens and competition for food and breeding sites. In Italy, the Balkan Frog, Pelophylax kurtmuelleri (Gayda, 1940) is a naturalized alien species since 1941 when seven pairs of this species were collected from Southern Albania and released in Western Liguria. Since the 70s, the species has spread in Liguria and Piedmont, and it has been recently observed in the Oltrepò Pavese area (Lombardy). The identification of this species is difficult because other green frogs occur in Italy, which reproduce by hybridogenetic mechanisms. Therefore, we applied molecular techniques to assess the real status of Italian populations ascribed to P. kurtmuelleri, checking also new records from Emilia-Romagna and Sardinia. We tracked the natural expansion of this alien species and checked for the occurrence of multiple introductions. Finally, we tested the role of this species as a vector of pathogens, such as chytridiomycosis.