Search

Haematological and genotoxicological parameters of the Levant green frog Pelophylax bedriagae (Camerano, 1882) and the Western Caspian turtle Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833) were studied. These species inhabited two sites with differing water quality in the Sarıçay Stream passing through the city centre of Çanakkale, Türkiye. We examined whether the two species were affected by the water quality classes identified based on physical and chemical properties of the water. Statistically significant differences were found between the two sites in terms of the frequencies of micronucleus, lobbed, notched, kidney-shaped and blebbed nuclei, as well as total nuclear abnormality in Pelophylax bedriagae. Moreover, a higher rate of nuclear abnormalities was observed at the more polluted site, classified as water quality class IV. Statistically significant differences were observed in the haematocrit value, percentages of lymphocytes, eosinophils, heterophils and basophils, erythrocyte width and frequencies of lobbed and kidney-shaped nuclei as well as the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, often used as a stress indicator, in Mauremys rivulata. In this species, it was determined that parameters other than lymphocyte and eosinophil percentages were higher in specimens from the more polluted site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) and the Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) are potential bioindicator water snake species in certain aquatic habitats. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of erythrocytic abnormalities, immature erythrocyte index, and nuclear abnormalities in Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata from Biga Stream in Çanakkale, Türkiye. Erythrocytic abnormalities and nuclear abnormalities such as micronuclei, lobbed nuclei, notched nuclei, blebbed nuclei, and binucleate cells were observed in peripheral blood smears for each sample. According to our results, total erythrocytic abnormalities in N. natrix (3.01±0.55%) were higher than in N. tessellata (2.52±0.32%). Similarly, the frequency of total nuclear abnormalities in N. natrix (13.40±2.7%) was higher than in N. tessellata (12.68±5.81%) but there was no statistically significant difference in total erythrocytic and nuclear abnormalities. However, student's t-test revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two species only in terms of immature erythrocyte index (p: 0.008) which was higher in N. natrix. Due to the results, it was suggested that N. natrix may exhibit more physiological responses to envirenmental stress factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Anatolian Environmental & Animal Science is the property of Bulent Verep and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)