Changes in the blood composition of some anurans

Abstract

We examined some hematological parameters (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration and plasma total protein) on five anuran species of terrestrial (Pseudepidalea viridis, Pelobates syriacus and Hyla arborea), semi-aquatic (Rana dalmatina) and aquatic (Pelophylax ridibundus) nature from Çanakkale, Turkey. Differences between males and females in terms of haemoglobin, hematocrit and mean cell volume in P. viridis were statistically significant. The RBC count was higher in terrestrial and aquatic species than in semi-aquatic species. Haemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, MCV and MHC were higher in terrestrial species than in semi-aquatic and aquatic species. The MCHC values were all similar to each other. The plasma total protein was higher in terrestrial species than in aquatic species. To sum up, variations were detected in the some hematological parameters under examination among the anuran species.