J
james
Guest
Hi all
As some of you know I have been conducting field research into Chinese Firebellies(Cynops Orientalis). Here are some interesting prelim results. These are not final as fieldwork is still ongoing.
These are results of non-stream fed ponds where CFB's occur naturally in Hubei Province in China:
Ave Water Temp at 5cm depth: 31 C (midday reading)
Ave Water Temp at 20cm depth: 30.2C (midday)
Ave Water Temp at 50cm depth: 28.2C (midday)
Ave Water Temp at substrate: 27.4 C (depth varies)(midday)
Mean Ave Water Temp over 24 hours: 28.7C
As the water temperature rises above 25C the smaller (up to 6cm in length) CFB's tend to become more land based, sheltering in the mud, mosses or rotting vegetation along the pond banks. Older CFB's tend to be found on the pond bottom up to a depth of about 60cm. Temp of these locations are still being researched.
It is important to note that there is no evidence of stress. All specimens showed evidence of recent feeding, were active and in good health. Food included Daphnia, various worms, mosquito larvae, fish fry and a type of mayfly.
The temperature of the water is surprisingly high compared to previous research and literature. We may need to reassess the heat tolerance of this species. Local forecasts predict higher temperatures for July/August, which should indicate even higher water temperatures then.
Another surprising result were the depths of water in which CFB's have been found - the deepest to date being 1.2 meters.
As we compile additional information, I will post interesting facts etc here. A website is also being created with further research info, as well as photos of the environments. I will post the address at a later date.
Please Note: These results are preliminary ONLY, and should not be taken as hard scientific fact at this stage. I am merely posting the information for the interest of the members of this forum. It must also be noted that this information is taken from ONLY Hubei province which is a small part of the CFB's range. Final results will probably not be available for at least another year due to ongoing research.
As some of you know I have been conducting field research into Chinese Firebellies(Cynops Orientalis). Here are some interesting prelim results. These are not final as fieldwork is still ongoing.
These are results of non-stream fed ponds where CFB's occur naturally in Hubei Province in China:
Ave Water Temp at 5cm depth: 31 C (midday reading)
Ave Water Temp at 20cm depth: 30.2C (midday)
Ave Water Temp at 50cm depth: 28.2C (midday)
Ave Water Temp at substrate: 27.4 C (depth varies)(midday)
Mean Ave Water Temp over 24 hours: 28.7C
As the water temperature rises above 25C the smaller (up to 6cm in length) CFB's tend to become more land based, sheltering in the mud, mosses or rotting vegetation along the pond banks. Older CFB's tend to be found on the pond bottom up to a depth of about 60cm. Temp of these locations are still being researched.
It is important to note that there is no evidence of stress. All specimens showed evidence of recent feeding, were active and in good health. Food included Daphnia, various worms, mosquito larvae, fish fry and a type of mayfly.
The temperature of the water is surprisingly high compared to previous research and literature. We may need to reassess the heat tolerance of this species. Local forecasts predict higher temperatures for July/August, which should indicate even higher water temperatures then.
Another surprising result were the depths of water in which CFB's have been found - the deepest to date being 1.2 meters.
As we compile additional information, I will post interesting facts etc here. A website is also being created with further research info, as well as photos of the environments. I will post the address at a later date.
Please Note: These results are preliminary ONLY, and should not be taken as hard scientific fact at this stage. I am merely posting the information for the interest of the members of this forum. It must also be noted that this information is taken from ONLY Hubei province which is a small part of the CFB's range. Final results will probably not be available for at least another year due to ongoing research.
