Effect of Temperature Upon the Developmental Rate of the Embryo of the Diamond Back Terrapin (Malaclemys centrata Lat.)

Abstract

Eggs incubated at widely different temps. showed no appreciable difference in the time required for hatching. Constant high temp. (above 98[degree]) was fatal to all embryos. Eggs which were never exposed to a temp. above 80[degree] seemed to develop as rapidly as those which were never exposed to a temp. lower than 85[degree]. Egg development was completely inhibited, apparently, at ice box temp. for as much as a mo. and possibly more, and developed normally when returned to incubating temps.