Haematological profiles provide information about the health status of local populations. The haematological and biochemical parameters of the brachyuran crabs, Goniopsis pelii, Sersama huzardii and Uca tangerii from the mangrove area of a polluted creek in Nigeria were examined using standard methods. The total haemocyte count was similar for both G. pelli (2150±56.69 mL) and S. huzardii (1975.00±74.46 mL). haemocyte sedimentation rate was lowest in G. pelli (1.50±0.71 mm/hr) and highest in U. tangeri (5.70±0.82 mm/hr). 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 %). A non-significantly higher sub-population of monocytes was recorded for S. huzardii (2.50±2.12 %) compared to U. tangeri (1.00±0.12 %). 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). This study gave an indication of stress on the health status of the brachyuran crabs, hence the need for periodic monitoring of the ecosystem.
Samples of three brachyuran crabs species were collected along the mangrove area lining the Lagos Lagoon (6o26’-6o37’N and 3o23’-4o20’E). They were acclimatized for 48hrs and fed with sampling location mud rich organic matter until further analysis. Haemolymph was drawn with a 23G syringe from the juncture between the bases of ischium of the fifth walking leg. The haemolymph was collected into a syringe flushed with 1mL of anticoagulant (0.3 M NaCl, 0.1 M glucose, 30 mM Sodium citrate and 26 mM Citric acid), transferred into a 5mL lithium heparin bottle kept in an ice chest and haemolymph of crabs were analyzed immediately for haematological and biochemical indices using an improved Neubaeur heamocytometer according to methods described by Blaxhall and Daisley (1973) and Coles (1986) respectively. Data were subjected to Duncan Multiple Range Test at p<0.05.
The swamp indeed showed signs of environmental stress, which eventually pose devastating effect on the health status of the ecosystem engineers (i.e brachyuran crabs). Therefore, the need for periodic monitoring and enforcement of environmental laws.