The molecular genetic structure of populations and an assessment of adaptation mechanisms were performed for the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) inhabiting water bodies differing in the type of environmental stress, defined by the level of environmental pollution (classified as water quality classes 4 and 5). Molecular genetic diagnostics revealed the presence of individuals with introgressive mtDNA of the Anatolian water frog (P. cf. bedriagae) in the marsh frog sample. Species identification was carried out using a multiplex PCR test system. We detected haplotypes and alleles of the invasive Anatolian marsh frog (Pelophylax cf. bedriagae) in marsh frog populations. The samples revealed a high infection intensity with intracellular parasites of the class Conoidasida (representatives of the genus Dactylosoma from the family Dactylosomatidae, and species of the genus Hepatozoon from the family Hepatozoidae) and extracellular parasites (class Nematoda, family Onchocercidae, microfilariae larvae). The dominant hemoparasite was Dactylosoma sp., while microfilariae larvae were extremely rare; representatives of the genera Hepatozoon, Trypanosoma, and Lankesterella showed moderate prevalence. It was found that under extreme environmental pollution (class 5), inhibition of humoral responses occurs (a decrease in the level of large and an increase in the level of small immune complexes), which is interpreted as a compensatory shift of resources towards cellular defense mechanisms in the marsh frog. Against the background of environmental stress, the presence of intraerythrocytic parasites acts as an additional modulator of amphibian cellular immunity.
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