THE LEUKOCYTE BLOOD COMPOSITION OF ELAPHE DIONE (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE) IN ORENBURG STATE NATURE RESERVE (RUSSIA)
Journal Title: Nature Conservation Research. Заповедная наука - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 0
Abstract
For the first time a hematological approach has been used to assess the status of the population of Dione snake Elaphe dione in a Protected Area (protected area «Aytuarskaya steppe» of the Orenburg State Nature Reserve). The blood formula (WBC) was calculated with the integral leukocyte indices (lymphocyte-granulocyte index, leukocyte shift index, index of the heterophiles and lymphocytes ratio, index of the heterophiles and eosinophils ratio, index of the lymphocytes and eosinophils ratio), the surface area of the main leukocyte types was measured: heterophiles, basophils, eosinophils, azurophiles, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Intraspecific gender differences were revealed for all the indicators studied. In females, the proportion of heterophiles and monocytes in peripheral blood is higher, compared with males; in contrast, the proportion of basophils and eosinophils is lower. Heterophiles, basophils, and eosinophils were characterised by moderate association with a qualitative trait (sex of the individual), and monocytes – by strong association (r = 0.82, R2 = 0.67, p = 0.001). Morphometric parameters of male granulocytic series exceeded similar parameters of female ones. There were no statistically significant differences in morphometric parameters of mononuclear cells (azurophiles, monocytes, and lymphocytes) between males and females. A strong positive correlation was found between the content of heterophiles (%) in the blood and the ratio of heterophiles and lymphocytes (r = 0.97, p = 0.001), which illustrated the significant contribution of the nonspecific blood defence system to adaptive responses of the body. The absence of differences in the integral index of the heterophiles and lymphocytes ratio for males and females (U = 1.33, p = 0.18) indicated a comparable level of impact and identity of the physiological adaptation mechanisms occurring in the animals in Protected Area conditions. The haematic picture and the dynamics of leukocytal indexes of Elaphe dione living on the reserve territory reflected the active response of the organism to a complex of environmental factors , with the most pronounced activation of immune processes in females in comparison with males.
Authors and Affiliations
Elena B. Romanova, Evgeniy I. Solomaykin, Andrey G. Bakiev, Roman A. Gorelov
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP492993
- DOI 10.24189/ncr.2018.033
- Views 97
- Downloads 0
EIGHTH PLANTA EUROPA CONFERENCE «SAVE PLANTS FOR EARTH’S FUTURE» (KIEV, UKRAINE)
This paper presents information about the Eighth Planta Europa Conference (Save plants for Earth's future) (22–26 May 2017, Kiev, Ukraine). We presented brief data on the history of previous Planta Europa meetings. We pr...
CHANGES IN THE VASCULAR FLORA OF KHATANGA VILLAGE AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA, TAYMYRSKY BIOSPHERE RESERVE, OVER A LONG PERIOD
The results of the floristic survey of Khatanga surroundings are given. A comparison of the flora's current state with the earlier changes in 1905–1955 and with data of regional floras is conducted. There are 58 species...
DAILY ACTIVITY OF THE EUROPEAN BADGER (MELES MELES, MUSTELIDAE, CARNIVORA) ON SETTS IN DARWIN RESERVE AND MESCHERA NATIONAL PARK (RUSSIA) IN SUMMER AND AUTUMN
The European badger's (Meles meles) daily activity was studied in two regions of European Russia with camera traps. The results of the study show that the daily activity of the European badger on settlements does not dif...
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS IN SRI LANKA: A REVIEW
The climate change impacts are felt by all facets and sectors of ecosystems, covering flora, fauna and environment. Sri Lanka is considered as a vulnerable, small island country that is under serious threat from climate...
MACROZOOBENTHOS OF THE ZERNOV’S PHYLLOPHORA FIELD, NORTHWESTERN BLACK SEA: SPECIES RICHNESS, QUANTITATIVE REPRESENTATION AND LONG-TERM VARIATIONS
The Zernov's Phyllophora Field (ZPF) is a water area in the northwestern Black Sea (NWBS) that occupied about 11 000 km2 in the early 20th century. Since 2008, a water area of 4025 km2 has been given the status of a bota...