Comparative study of some haematological parameters of two wild C. villosus (Mammalia, Dasypodidae) populations

CASANAVE E.B.; POLINI, N. N.

Comparative Haematology International

Springer-Verlag

Lugar: London; Año: 1999 vol. 9 p. 13 - 16

0938-7714

Abstract The study of haematological parameters of a species is of great interest both for the comprehension of its biological characteristics in general and its physiological adaptations in particular. In this work, we studied haematological parameters of two wild populations of armadillo Chaetophractus villosus (population I, n = 25 and population II, n = 30). The animals came from a range of 150 km to the north west of Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Blood samples were obtained from anaesthetised animals by cardiac puncture, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Blood was collected in EDTA and processed for haematological screen by routine techniques. Erythrocyte parameters (total erythrocytes, haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocyte indices and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and leucocyte parameters (total leucocytes and percentage composition) were studied. Population I had higher values for erythrocytes, haematocrit and haemoglobin than population II. With the exception of eosinophils (p > 0.05), no differences were found between populations of erythrocyte indices, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total leucocytes and leucocyte percentage composition. The sample of population II featured a greater number of young animals than population I, age may therefore partially account for the differences. These results may also be influenced by a higher loading of parasites observed in population II.