Breeding migration and oviposition of the Chinhai salamander, Echinotritonchinhaiensis

Breeding migration, oviposition, egg development and larval migration to wa ter were studied in the Chinhai salamander, Echinotriton chinhaiensis durin g three consecutive breeding seasons. During 1997, 1998 and 1999, mainly fe males were found around the three ponds where breeding was recorded. Female s migrate to breeding sites in late March and April and deposit egg clutche s on the banks of the breeding ponds. Characteristic features of these egg- laying areas are high humidity, thick cover of plant debris and location on slopes bordering the water's edge. The eggs develop on land and hatch in e arly May, when the hatchlings are washed into the ponds during heavy rains. Experiments show that the eggs also develop normally when placed in water. In the natural habitat neither adults nor eggs were ever found in water. R eproduction in this species is dependent on a combination of very specific requirements, which make the species particularly sensitive to the environm ental changes that threaten the scarce habitat in which it has been able to survive thus far.