Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Staurois (Anura, Ranidae) based on 16S rRNA sequences

Abstract

We estimate the phylogenetic relationships among all six recognized species of the genus Staurois based on 16S rRNA sequences (~522 bp) for 92 specimens from Borneo and the Philippines. Our preferred phylogenetic tree inferred from Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian methods reveal six major clades within the genus leading to recognition of S. natator, S. nubilus, S. guttatus, S. tuberilinguis, S. parvus, and S. latopalmatus. For species where multiple populations were assessed, we found high genetic variation that may eventually support the recognition of new species.