Further Study on Effects of Temperature on Egg Incubation in Chinese Skinks,Eumeces chinensis at Lishui,Zhejiang

We incubated eggs of Eumeces chinensis at different temperature forms (constant at 24,30 and 32 ℃,and naturally fluctuating between 22.0 ℃ and 36.2 ℃) to assess the influence of incubation temperature on hatching success and hatchling traits.The duration of incubation varied considerably among temperature treatments,but the hatching success and the sprint speed of hatchlings did not differ.Incubation temperature significantly affected the size/shape,weight and residual yolk dry mass of hatchlings:the young incubated at 24 ℃ and fluctuating temperatures were heavier in wet body mass and carcass dry mass but lighter in residual yolk dry mass (I.e.,higher use rate of yolk) than that at 30 and 32 ℃.The high temperature (32 ℃) showed a negative effect on the development of somatic growth.That the fluctuation of temperature increased the range of incubation temperature suitable for this species should be viewed as a result of adaptation to natural environment.