Phénologie de la reproduction chez Pelodytes punctatus Daudin, 1802 (Amphibia, Anura)

Abstract

Pelodytes punctatus is a species whose reproduction biotops were located mainly in plains (90% of cases). New data on phenology of the reproduction and type of medium were collected over six years in four regions (35 sites). Egg deposition occurred during spring but we also observed a second period of reproduction in autumn, particularly in the south of France. Females fixed egg strings on aquatic plant stalks, often near the water surface. The success of hatching depends on water oxygenation. Larval growth is relatively fast and metamorphosis occurred after between 40 and 60 days at 19°C±1°C in the laboratory. In the south of France two types of tadpoles were observed in autumn; the smallest ones overwintered and metamorphosed during the next spring.