Haematological profiles are often applied as an index of physiological condition of various organisms
and thus provide information about the health status of local populations. The haematological and biochemical parameters
of the estuarine crabs,
Callinectes amnicola
,
Goniopsis pelii
,
Sersama huzardii
and
Uca tangerii
from the polluted creek
of Lagos Lagoon were examined using standard methods.
C. amnicola (121.7±0.21) were significantly heavier than
G.
pelli (24±2.11 g),
S. huzardii (16.15±15.19 g) and
U. tangeri (8.8±0.5 g). Mean haematological values of the crabs
revealed significant variations in total haemocyte count (THC), haemocyte sedimentation rate (HSR) and haemocyte
subpopulation. THC in the circulating haemocytes of the crabs was similar for both
G. pelli (2150±56.69 mL) and
S.
huzardii (1975.00±74.46 mL). HSR was lowest in
G. pelli (1.50±0.71 mm/hr) and highest in
U. tangeri (5.70±0.82
mm/hr). Haemocyte sub-population variables showed that eosinophil and basophil did not differ considerably among the
crabs. Significant differences were however recorded for granulocyte, agranulocyte and monocyte with
G. pelli having
the highest sub-population of granulocyte (33.00±1.41 %) but lowest agranulocyte (67.00±1.41 %). Non-significantly
higher sub-population of monocytes was recorded for
C. amnicola (3.3±0.03). In the mean values of the serum
biochemicals,
U. tangeri showed lowest values for all except aspartate aminotransferase (22.8 U/L) and Urea (32.48
mg/dl).
G. pelli showed highest values for serum protein (14.36mg/dl), Globulin (67.49 mg/dl) and phosphatase alkaline
phosphatase (34.50 U/L). The study gave an indication of stress on the health status of the estuarine crabs, hence the need
for periodic monitoring of the ecosystem.
