Development and evaluation of a medium-free incubation method for hatching Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) eggs

In aquaculture, the traditional method for hatching Pelodiscus sinensis eggs needs further investigation. Here, we developed a medium-free incubation method for hatching P. sinensis eggs and evaluated its differences from the traditional vermiculite incubation method and the effects of light on it. We found that medium-free incubation had no significant effects on hatching success, body weight, carapace length, carapace width, plastron length, plastron width, and righting response time of P. sinensis compared with those under traditional vermiculite incubation, irrespective of thermostatic or fluctuating temperature conditions. Furthermore, light treatment significantly shortened the incubation period and negatively affected body weight, carapace length, carapace width, plastron length, and righting response time during medium-free incubation. Additionally, this study is the first to report the phenomenon of egg-hatching synchrony in P. sinensis. Overall, our results provide basic data and novel insights for improving the method for hatching P. sinensis eggs.