Haemotological characterization of Antarctic fish blood from Antarctic fish and the giant isopod

Blood samples were taken from 8 Antarctic Notothenioids (e.g. Pagothenia borchgrevinki, Trematomus hansoni, T. centronotus, T. bernacchii, T. newnesi, Dissostichus mawsoni) and one species each of the Bathydraconidae, Harpagiferidae and Zoarcidae (Gymnodraco acuticeps) and from the giant isopod Glyptonotus and examined with regard to their haematology and erythrocyte function to better understand metabolic control in Antarctic ectotherms.

Stained blood smears were made from most specimens and described. Measurements were made on: 1) Haemoglobin concentration in whole blood (Hb in grams per litre), 2) Packed cell colume (litres of cells per liter whole blood), 3) Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (grams Hb per litre of cells), 4) White blood cell count (in cells per liter of whole blood), 5) Red blood cell count (in cells per liter of blood), 6) Mean cell haemoglobin (amount of Hb per cell in picograms) and, 7) Mean cell volume (in femtoliters or cubic microns). 92 blood samples were processed.