ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF BUFO BUFO GARGARIZANS IN THE SUBURBS OF NANCHANG

Investigations on the breeding habits of Bufo bufo gargarizans were carried out from February 1 to 31, 1963, in 12 different places in the suburbs of Nanchang.The breeding of Bufo bufo gargarizans takes place in the ditch water which is brown-yellowish in color with a pH value of 7.2-8.1.If the water flowing in the ditch is in an east-westward direction, the eggs are laid in the north. If it is in a south-northward direction, the eggs remain in the east. The eggs are laid neither at the bottom nor on the surface of the water, neither in the centre nor on the edge of the ditch, but always on the grasses (Graminaceae) growing in a suitable situation in the ditch water. It takes 5-17 hours to spawn.The temperature for breeding (7:30-9:00 A.M.) is 7.2-13.0℃, 9.5-11.5℃ being found to be the most suitable. Breeding takes place when the temperature is raised to 10℃.In the suburbs of Nanchang, the breeding of Bufo bufo gargarizans takes place from February 18 to March 17, more frequently during February 19-26.Breeding takes place at a depth of 21.97cm in the ditch water and most frequently at 21.0-25.0 cm. But the egg-chain is laid at a depth of 13.57 cm in the water.The breeding habits of Bufo bufo gargarizans were found to be different from those of Rana nigromaculata.