Annual variations of individual condition, water content and energy value in the major energy reserves of the oriental leaf-toed gecko(Hemidactylus bowringii)
Annual variations of individual condition, water content and energy value in the major energy reserves of the oriental leaf-toed gecko(Hemidactylus bowingii) in Zhaoqing were examined in this study. Samples of the adult geckos were collected monthly from November, 2009 to October, 2010 and brought to our laboratory in Zhaoqing University. The geckos were measured, weighed and freezing-killed at-20 °C, and then separated into carcasses, livers and tails. The three components were dried to constant mass at 65 °C, weighed and frozen-preserved for later determination of composition. We extracted non-polar lipids from dried samples in a Soxhlet apparatus for at least 6 h using absolute ether as solvent, and determined energy value using the GR-3500 oxygen-bomb calorimeter. Our results showed that:(1) there were significant monthly changes in individual condition in both sexes;(2) carcass water content and energy value of three components varied significantly among different months in both sexes;(3) water content of carcass, energy value of the carcass and liver were significant higher in males than in females, but energy value of the tail was lower in males than in females. Our results indicated that annual variations in energy values of the major energy reserves were correlated with reproductive events, winter hibernation and food sources. In the breeding season, proper energy storage is helpful to strengthening the ability of quick movement for the males, whereas it can increase reproductive output and improving fitness for the females.