An Immunological Perspective on Evolutionary Relationships in Australian Frogs of the Hylid Genus Cyclorana

Abstract

Detailed morphological studies as well as recent biochemical analyses have demonstrated substantial differentiation within the widespread Australian hylid frog genus Cyclorana. To further investigate species relationships within Cyclorana, supplemental immunological studies were performed. Serum albumins of 10 species of Cyclorana and three species of the related hylid genus Litoria were compared by means of the quantitative micro-complement fixation technique. This analysis suggests that there are three Cyclorana lineages: C. maini, C. cultripes, C. brevipes and C. longipes forming one cluster, C. australis clustering with L. alboguttata, and C. platycephalus. All species of Cyclorana studied, as well as L. alboguttata, are genetically closest to, but distinct from, species in the L. aurea species-group.