Population genetic diversity of the Mau Son Spiny Frog (Quasipaa Acanthophora Dubois and Ohler, 2009) in Northeastern Vietnam

Abstract

The Mau Son Spiny Frog (Quasipaa acanthophora Dubois and Ohler, 2009) is a threatened amphibian species with a restricted distribution in northeastern Vietnam and is currently threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation. However, information on the genetic diversity of this species remains limited. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among populations of Q. acanthophora from Mau Son (MS), Tay Yen Tu (TYT), Dong Son–Ky Thuong, Duong Hoa, and Quang Tan, northern Vietnam. Genetic diversity was evaluated using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences. Phylogenetic analyses based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference revealed two distinct genetic lineages corresponding to the MS and TYT groups. Samples from Dong Son–Ky Thuong, Duong Hoa, and Quang Tan clustered together with the TYT lineage, while samples from MS clustered with the MS lineage. Genetic distances between the two groups were substantially higher than within-group distances, and no shared haplotypes were detected between them. Pairwise FST analysis further revealed strong genetic differentiation between the MS and TYT groups, indicating substantial population subdivision and restricted gene flow. This pattern was consistent with the clear separation of haplotypes between the two lineages. Both MS and TYT populations showed high haplotype diversity but relatively low nucleotide diversity. Neutrality tests suggested no clear evidence of recent population expansion within either group. The observed genetic differentiation among populations highlights the importance of conserving the species and its habitats in both MS and TYT to maintain the species’ genetic diversity and long-term persistence.