The influence of rearing temperature on early embryonic development of Pelophylax nigromaculata

Temperature influenced the developmental rate and survival of embryos of Pelophylax nigromaculata. The total incubation period decreased from 254.07hrs at 18.20 ± 0.49°C and 162.80hrs at 20.87 ± 0.57°C in two experiments. The proportion of normal embryos and survival of eggs until hatching were higher (85.2%) when the eggs were incubated at 20.87 ± 0.57°C. However, death of eggs until hatching has reached 27.2% when the eggs were incubated at 18.20 ± 0.49°C. Therefore, it is appropriate to raise incubation temperature, and fit for enhancing developmental rate and survival of eggs. Also, this information can be valuable for optimizing laboratory culture and facilitating future use of this species as a test organism in toxicity tests.