Tymchenky. R-E-HPS Pelophylax esculentus complex on private property

This is a pond located on the household territory of one of the hospitable homes in Tymchenky settlement near Merefa. In Tymchenky, not far from the Mzha River, a deep pit has a high probability of filling with water: aquifer layers run underground. My friends, whom I visited, have devoted almost their entire plot to a pond. It is great to visit them in summer heat. The sun warms only the surface layer of turbid water, and below it is invigorating coolness. [IMG_1] I traveled with my son; he had long been persuading me to arrange this visit. [IMG_2] [IMG_3] [IMG_4] From my point of view, the pond’s main attraction is its green frog population system. All frogs shown below are males of hybrids, Pelophylax esculentus. [IMG_5] [IMG_6] [IMG_7] Some hybrids truly resemble Pelophylax lessonae, a parental species absent from the Seversky Donets basin. Some are almost without dorsal spots, without forelimb stripes, and with large rounded tubercles! Nevertheless, by calls all are identified as hybrids, and precise-method identification in previous years showed there are no Pelophylax lessonae among them. [IMG_8] [IMG_9] [IMG_10] Look and listen how he sings!!! [IMG_11] [IMG_12] [IMG_13] [IMG_14] [IMG_15] [IMG_16] [IMG_17] [IMG_18] On a lily leaf: simply a textbook image! [IMG_19] Frog spawn... [IMG_20] [IMG_21] Of course, when visiting friends we do far more than frogs. One entertainment is endlessly throwing a ball which the miniature schnauzer Varya, trembling with excitement, immediately brings back. [IMG_22] ... [IMG_23] [IMG_24] [IMG_25] [IMG_26] [IMG_27] [IMG_28] [IMG_29] [IMG_30] [IMG_31] [IMG_32] [IMG_33] [IMG_34] [IMG_35] [IMG_36] [IMG_37] To warm up, one can drink coffee or tea. [IMG_38] In the morning, the host checks fish traps. These are crucian-carp hybrids, offspring of comet goldfish and common carp. During regular catches, crucians best matching the comet phenotype are returned to the pond, pretty hybrids are sent for sale, and offspring with wild coloration are moved to the Mzha. Many fish released into Mzha have either red spots or beautiful tails. Anglers must be delighted! [IMG_39] What impresses me in the host is the thoughtfulness of the entire pond management technology. To retrieve traps, no need to wet feet. Ropes, pegs, floats (so frogs do not drown)... [IMG_40] And frogs are caught in traps too. [IMG_41] [IMG_42] Otherwise — an ordinary pond... [IMG_43] [IMG_44]