The Comparison of Reproductive ‎Potential and Skin Tissue Structure of ‎Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) in ‎Khuzestan Northern and Southern ‎Habitats

Amphibian are the first resident vertebrates in dry habitats that have retained their dependency to aqueous habitats and adapted to this type of life. Different habitats affect skin structure and reproductive potential of amphibians. The aim of this study was comparison of skin histology and reproductive potential of marsh frog affected by geographical separation (the city as a geographical barrier) in the northern and southern regions of Khuzestan. 24 mature adult frogs were trapped and transferred to the laboratory. After identification of the target species based on the characteristics of the index, the samples were euthanized to get tissue samples. Histological sections wereprepared. In order to evaluate the reproductive characteristics, the gonadal index in males and the degree of assimilation were calculated in females. Regarding two determinant factors, the northern and southern regions of Khuzestan province, as well as back and abdominal surfaces, there was a significant difference in all measured histometric parameters (P<0.05). Differences in histometric parameters were influenced by the environmental and ecological factors. Also, based on studies, these kinds of determinants can be useful in determining the type of skin glands in different species. In comparison of reproductive potential, both sexes in the northern and southern regions have the highest reproductive capacity in spring,and male subjects with the weight and diameter of the pins, and also the subjects of the material with more weight, they had more reproductive capacity. Therefore, the spawning season of the species began in late March and peaked in the middle of the spring.