INFLUÊNCIA DA ESTACIONALIDADE NO ACÚMULO DE CARBOIDRATOS E PROTEÍNAS NOS TESTÍCULOS DE Leptodactylus macrosternum (ANURA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE)

Species of the Leptodactylidae family occur frequently in Caatinga domain areas of Brazil where the rainfall distribution pattern influences the energetic activity as well as the reproduction of these individuals. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze how the effects of seasonality affect the energy metabolism and, consequently, the reproductive processes of Leptodactylus macrosternum. Thirty two adult males were collected in Caatinga area, in the Horto Florestal Olho D’água da Bica, Cuité, Paraíba, from January to December 2013. Small fragments of testicles from the animals were removed and sent to the histological routine. The quantification of proteins and carbohydrates deposited in animal testicles were statistically analyzed. Protein quantification values were highlighted for the animals collected during July (700 pixels), while carbohydrate levels were higher during June, July, August, September and December, ranging from 350 and 400 pixels. Regarding rainfall and temperature, significant differences were observed, r=0.01; p=0.03 and r=0.02; p=0.04, respectively, on the amount of carbohydrates deposited in the L. macrosternum testes.