A study on the blood cells of the fire-bellied toad, Bombina bombina L. (Anura: Bombinatoridae)

Abstract

Th e aim of this study was to determine the blood cells parameters of Anatolian and Th racian Bombina bombina populations. Th e size and counts of various blood cells were analyzed in 29 mature Bombina bombina specimens belonging to two populations (Durusu-Istanbul and Döşeme Bataklığı -Adapazarı) in northwest Anatolia. Th e mean erythrocyte count was determined as 251.429/mm 3 , that of leucocytes was 2.114/mm 3 , and that of thrombocytes was 12.857/mm 3 . Th ere was no signifi cant sexual variation in blood cell counts of our B. bombina sample which was collected during their breeding season. Th e leucocyte diff erential counts and staining properties of blood cells were also determined. Interspecifi c comparisons indicate that northwest Anatolian B. bombina samples share general features with other anurans but diff er from other populations of the same species in blood cell parameters. Th e lower number of erythrocyte and their relatively large surface area of our samples suggest a lower level of metabolism and relatively higher oxygen uptake. We suggest that this structure is probably not only due to adaptations to diff erent geographic regions and altitude but also a combination of recent habitat reductions due to human actions and agricultural contaminants may account for the blood cell parameters as well as other genetic and morphologic patterns of these isolated and small populations of this species.

Evolution of erythrocyte morphology in amphibians (Amphibia: Anura)

“…Hematological parameters vary significantly among amphibian species (ARIKAN et al 2010, BARAQUET et al 2013). For example, OLMO & MORESCALCH (1975) documented that interspecific variation is significant in the volume of erythrocytes and nuclei of seven Plethodontidae (Amphibia: Urodela) species.…”