The chronological development of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl (Michah)

The Normal Table of Development of the urodele amphibianPleurodeles waltl was published almost 40 years ago by Gallien and Durocher (1957) and provides a good description of the chronological development of this species.Unfortunately the journal in which the work was published had a very limited circulation and is now difficult to obtain.Gallien and Durocher's table remains valid since it provides both a precise timing and morphological criteria for Pleurodeles development.Our intention, as enthusiastically suggested by Dr. Juan Arechaga.is to update this table by following the development of the embryo with light and electron microscopy photographs.which reproduce faithfully the embryo morphology.The staging remains as defined in Gallien and Durocher's table on the basis of development at 18'C. with the exception of the larval stages.which have been reexamined and restaged.Since laboratory temperature may vary.the times give only a rough indication of developmental speed.