Variation in erythrocyte size between juveniles and adults of Odontophrynus americanus

Authors: Grenat, Pablo R.¹; Bionda, Clarisa¹; Salas, Nancy E.²; Martino, Adolfo L.²

Source: Amphibia-Reptilia, Volume 30, Number 1, 2009 , pp. 141-145(5)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Differences in erythrocyte size between tadpoles and adults have been found in numerous anuran species but there are no references about erythrocyte size of juveniles. We measured the size of red blood cells and nuclei of juvenile and adult individuals of Odontophrynus americanus. Erythrocyte and nuclear size of juvenile were significantly smaller than the corresponding sizes of adults. The erythrocytes of juvenile O. americanus were comparable in size to the erythrocytes of adult O. cordobae. We discuss about the possibility of correctly distinguishing juvenile O. americanus (tetraploid) from adult O. cordobae (cryptic diploid counterpart) specimens using erythrocytes. We also discuss possible causes of variation.

Keywords: DIPLOID; ERYTHROCYTE; ERYTHROMETRY; ODONTOPHRYNUS; POLYPLOIDY; RED BLOOD CELLS; TETRAPLOID

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853809787392667

Affiliations: 1: Ecología-Educación Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales; Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N° 36-km 601, (X5804BYA) Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentine; CONICET 2: Ecología-Educación Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales; Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N° 36-km 601, (X5804BYA) Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentine

Publication date: 2009-02-01

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