Hematology of Cobia Rachycentron canadum, Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber, Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus, Plata Pompano Trachinotus marginatus and Sole Paralichthys orbignyanus
Author: Maria Angelica dos Reis Garrido Perreira (Currículo Lattes)
Supervisor: Dr Luis Alberto Romano
Co-supervisor: Dr Luís André Nassr de Sampaio
Abstract
Monitoring the health of fish using non-lethal techniques has been increasingly necessary due to the expansion of aquaculture. Blood testing is one of the techniques used for this, and it is essential to know the blood cell morphology of each fish species. Thus, it will be possible to establish reference values because, without defining the standards considered normal, it is not possible to differentiate healthy states from pathological states of organisms. In this study, the blood cell morphology and hematological parameters of five species of marine fish occurring off the Brazilian coast are described: Cobia Rachycentron canadum, Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber, Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus, Plata Pompano Trachinotus marginatus and Sole Paralichthys orbignyanus. These species have potential for mariculture, being the target of research in Brazil and other countries and have a cellular morphological pattern similar to other teleosts, with small specific variations. Mature and immature erythrocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes are described and quantified, with the latter cell group being the most variable among species. The differences in hematological profiles found among fish are related to specific variations. These profiles described here - of animals in adequate breeding conditions - allow the comparison between fish of the same species, families and/or orders. This new information available will be useful for the application of hematology in future studies aimed mainly at the diagnosis of diseases of fish raised in captivity.