REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY AND LIPID MOBILIZATION IN RANA-HEXADACTYLA AT ASEASONAL LOCALITY

The reproductive strategy of the folivorous Indian green frog (Rana he xadactyla) was studied at a seasonal locality in south India. The repr oductive tracts of adult females, and the liver and abdominal fat mass es of adult males and females, were examined monthly. Mature eggs were recovered from females at all months of the year, although monthly va riation in relative clutch mass suggests seasonality in reproduction. Egg masses increase prior to the seasonal rains, and drop sharply duri ng or just after the wet Seasons. The size of visceral lipid deposits shows seasonal peaks that are correlated to feeding peaks. The decline in fat body mass is associated with spawning peaks, suggesting their mobilization for reproduction.;The liver mass of adult males also show s seasonal variation, being greatest prior to the peak spawning period s, indicating the mobilization of lipid for courtship and spermatogene sis. The liver mass of adult females does not show month-to-month vari ation. In conclusion, lipids stored in the body as visceral fat are pr obably not for ;maintenance during periods of stress but utilized for reproduction by both males and females of Rand hexadactyla. On the oth er hand, lipid in the liver bodies are utilized only by the males for reproductive activities.