Hybridization Between Anaxyrus boreas × canorus within Eldorado National Forest: The First Genomic Assessment

Authors: Maier, P.A.; Mabe, J.A.; Hale, J.L.; Herman, A.E.; Kantz, B.P.

Date: November 18, 2024

Venue: Final Report to US Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest, Placerville, CA

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26918.28488

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Abstract

• The first genomic assessment of hybridization between Anaxyrus boreas × canorus was conducted, and a hybrid panel was developed with future utility for hybrid identification.
• Hybridization between Anaxyrus boreas × canorus has been confirmed within the Blue Lakes, Twin Lake, and Deer Valley regions (Eldorado National Forest and PG&E lands).
• Those hybrids are mostly A. boreas with up to 20% A. canorus ancestry, and up to 30% heterozygosity from both species, suggesting an origin within ten generations.
• Trace hybridization was also unexpectedly found in several other places, including a mostly A. boreas population near Lake Tahoe, and lower elevation A. canorus populations in Yosemite National Park.