Genomic introgressions may affect hybridogenetic reproduction in water
frog hybrids
Abstract
One of the most intriguing outcomes of hybridization is the emergence of
asexual hybrids, where canonical gametogenesis is altered, leading to
clonal or hemiclonal genome propagation. However, maintaining these
lineages is challenging due to frequent irregularities in gamete
formation. These irregularities increase the diversity of gametogenic
pathways, though their triggers and outcomes remain unknown. We studied
these processes in water frog hybrids from the Pelophylax
esculentus complex, which reproduce asexually via hybridogenesis.
During this process, P. esculentus hybrids usually produce gametes with
a genome from either P. ridibundus or P. lessonae. Using
fluorescent in situ hybridization with probes to species-specific
satellite repeats, we identified genome composition in spermatocytes and
spermatids from 47 hybrid males collected from four localities in
Eastern Ukraine. Some males exclusively eliminated either the P.
ridibundus or P. lessonae genome, suggesting selection before
meiosis. Other males transmitted gametes with both genomes
simultaneously, indicating elimination of one genome from different
gonocyte populations. Such variability in gametogenic pathways among
males from different localities implied independent hybrid origins.
Additionally, abnormal pairing between P. ridibundus and P.
lessonae chromosomes during meiosis indicated an inability to eliminate
and endoreplicate genomes of parental species. By comparative genome
hybridization, we for the first time identified intensive genome
rearrangements between ridibundus and lessonae chromosomes
and unstained chromosomal parts suggesting the introgression of
different species genome in such hybrids. These genomic rearrangements
and introgressions affect hybridogenetic reproduction, causing
aneuploidy in gametes.