Pre-hibernation energy reserves and their consumption during freezing in the moor frog <i>Rana arvalis</i> in Siberia

For the first time, pre-hibernation sizes of “storage” organs (liver and fat bodies), type, concentration total content reserve substances (glycogen or lipids) in these muscle tissue, their change during freezing freeze tolerant specimens moor frog (Rana arvalis) Siberian population were studied. In autumn, relative weight liver (hepatosomatic index) studied individuals reaches 10%, which is 2–4 times higher than most species Eurasian ranid frogs; this determines greater hepatic glycogen stores. The muscles about 4.4 lower liver, but storage 43–57% liver. high degree degradation upon both tissues may indicate that it promising to search for either levels glucose other cryoprotectants frogs so far. lipids autumn small not completely consumed before freezing. Probably, play an insignificant role pre-winter metabolism, are necessary maintaining activity after overwintering. Thus, highest tolerance among (?14°C ?16°C different populations) be due provides a large supply hibernation, participation tissue deposition almost third part all body, significant consumption cryoprotectants. patterns energy resources genus Rana differ greatly only between terrestrial aquatic hibernators also species.