THE CIRCULATING HEMOCYTE POPULATION OF THE MOLE-CRABEMERITA (= HIPPA) ASIATICAMILNE EDWARDS

Abstract

The circulating hemocyte population of the mole crab E. asiatica was studied in relation to the size of the crab, time of day and thermal stress. Total hemocyte counts were higher in animals belonging to size groups 26-28 mm than in size groups 22-24 mm or 30-34 mm. Time of day affected total counts, with afternoon counts being largest. Redistribution of circulating hemocytes at various times suggested from the data, was supported by thermal stress results which revealed that counts decreased as temperature increased. The life-span of hemocytes may exist in 3 phases: hematopoiesis, circulating and noncirculating.