Effects of low temperature on embryonic development of yellow pond turtle, Mauremys mutica

【Objective】To study the effects of low temperature on embryonic development of yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica.【Method】Eggs of M. mutica were stored in vermiculite with a water potential of -150 kPa at 14,18,20 ℃ for 30, 60 and 90 days respectively, and then were incubated at 29 ℃ with the same water potential. The characters correlated to embryonic development were measured.【Result and conclusion】All eggs lost mass after being stored at 14, 18 ℃, but there was no difference at 20 ℃. The eggs which were incubated at 29 ℃ increased in mass. There were hatchlings at three temperature treatments. The hatching success rates were very low, with the highest hatching success rate being 33.33%. The incubation period at 29 ℃ of all treatments which hatched out successfully decreased with storage temperature rising and time increasing. Abnormality ratio increased with the storage period extending at low temperatures. The results suggested that embryonic development of yellow pond turtle would be influenced or even die if it was exposed to low temperatures for a long time.