Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) play a key role in species identification and phylogenetic studies due to their stable gene arrangements and evolutionary insights. Dryophytes flaviventris, classified in 2020 and closely related to D. suweonensis, lacks mitochondrial DNA data for differentiation. This gap hinders accurate species identification, highlighting the need for further genomic studies. The complete mitogenome size of two D. flaviventris were 18,616–18,617 bp and those for two D. suweonensis were 18,610–18,616 bp, the mitogenomes of the two species consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a D-loop. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the mitochondrial DNA of all four individuals formed a monophyletic group, showing no genetic differentiation. As a result, the two species do not form distinct clades, and mitogenomes could not differentiate them, suggesting they are not reciprocally monophyletic. This study presents the first mitogenome data for D. flaviventris and provides valuable insights into tree frog taxonomy.

The Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus (Okada, 1931)), classified as an endangered species in South Korea, has experienced significant population declines due to habitat loss, primarily driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization. This study aimed to assess the hibernation ecology of P. chosenicus using PIT tagging technology, focusing on its hibernation behavior, environmental conditions, and implications for conservation and restoration. Over a three-year period (2021–2024), PIT tags were implanted in 408 frogs, enabling continuous monitoring of hibernation sites and individual characteristics. The results revealed that hibernation depths ranged from 1 to 23 cm, with deeper burrowing observed during colder months, indicating a temperature-dependent survival strategy. The soil temperature at hibernation sites remained consistently higher than ambient air temperature, suggesting an adaptive mechanism to avoid freezing conditions. Additionally, frogs exhibited a strong preference for hibernation sites near water bodies, where soil moisture levels were high, highlighting the importance of preserving suitable microhabitats for successful overwintering. These findings provide valuable insights into the hibernation ecology of P. chosenicus and are critical for guiding effective habitat restoration initiatives. Future research should investigate physiological adaptations to varying hibernation environments and the potential impacts of climate change may impact the survival of this endangered species.