A comparative study of karyotypes in the treefrogs (Family rhacophoridae) from japan and taiwan

Abstract

Karyotypes of six species (one of the six species is represented by three subspecies) of the treefrogs (Rhacophoridae) were described and compared. All species have 2n=26 chromosomes consisting of five large and eight small chromosome pairs, indicating a close relationship between Rhacophoridae and Ranidae. Karyological as well as ecological comparisons suggest the three groups; (1) Rhacophorus schlegelii, R. viridis amamiensis, R. v. viridis, and R. v. owstoni, (2) R. buergeri, R. robustus, and R. japonicus, and (3) R. eiffingeri. These groupings are consistent with those on the morphological bases. © 1977 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.