Hematologic and Plasma Biochemistry Values for Endangered Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) at Wintering and Migratory Sites in Argentina

D'AMICO, V.; BERTELLOTTI, M.; BAKER, A.; GONZÁLEZ, P.

JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES

WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSOC, INC

Año: 2010 vol. 46 p. 644 - 648

0090-3558

We obtained hematologic and plasma biochemistry values for adult, long distance migrant Red Knots at their southernmost wintering site in Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) and at the first stopover site in San Antonio Oeste (Río Negro, Argentina). Lymphocytes (L) followed by heterophils (H) were the most abundant leukocytes. H/L ratio and glucose levels were significantly higher at Río Grande, possibly because of the stress of migration and molting. Packed cell volume results ranged widely, probably in response to increased oxygen demand for migration. Protein profiles and lipids were higher at the stopover site and attributable to birds storing reserves for subsequent flights.