ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
Blood parameters
;
Hill Stream Cobits
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The blood of two fresh water cobitids — Botia lohachata, an exclusive water breathing form and Lepidocephalus guntea a dual breather, — showed a comparatively higher range of Hb (16.0–19.0 g%), Hct (50.0–61.1%) and number of RBC (2.71–6.7 millions/mm3) than many other water and air breathing fishes. Significant sexual difference exists in these characteristics (P 〉 0.05). The impact of life in oxygen depleted water, also inhabited by L. guntea as a result of its air breathing habit, is well reflected in its greater RBC size (11.86 × 8.66 µm) and their larger surface area (83.96 µm2) compared to that of Botia (53.16 µm2). The smaller size (9.92 × 6.45 µm) and consequently greater number of erythrocytes (4.67 millions/mm3) in Botia, are related to its active mode of life in the swiftly flowing water of hilly rivers. Though the higher nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio of 1 : 5.2 in Botia and 1 : 6.9 in Lepidocephalus suggest a slower red cell metabolism, the greater number of erythrocytes seems to have compensated for their active mode of life.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00018687
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