Haematology of Australian Mammals

Abstract

Haematology of Australian Mammals is a valuable guide to collecting and analysing the blood of Australian mammals for haematological studies and diagnosis and monitoring of disease.
 
 
 It outlines general principles for selecting sites for blood collection and for handling and analysing samples to achieve quality results. Chapters then describe the morphology and function of haematological cells, with reference to the known characteristics of Australian mammals in health and the changes that may be encountered in response to common diseases. Haemoparasites that have been encountered in Australian mammals are discussed next, along with comments on their pathogenicity. Lastly, haematological values from previously published studies are compiled into species-specific tables, providing a convenient reference to compare to the results of clinical cases. 
 
 Written descriptions and colour photomicrographs of haematological cells from more than 100 species aid the identification of cells and the detection of abnormalities. Information is provided throughout for representative species from all the major groups of native Australian mammals including monotremes, polyprotodont marsupials, diprotodont marsupials, rats and mice, bats and marine mammals.

Haemorheology of the eastern grey kangaroo and the Tasmanian devil

“…However, RBC count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit for the eastern grey kangaroo were lower than published literature values (Clark 2004). Clark (2004) reported haematological data from 30 macropod species, indicating a wide range from 0.35 to 0.62 L L -1 . Thus the data of the present study may represent the lower limits of reference thresholds for the eastern grey kangaroo (Arundel et al 1977;Clark 2004), suggesting that substantial variability in these species may be related to geographical and/or living conditions.…”

“…The haematology findings for Tasmanian devil blood in the present study were similar to reference values (Isaacks et al 1984). However, RBC count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit for the eastern grey kangaroo were lower than published literature values (Clark 2004). Clark (2004) reported haematological data from 30 macropod species, indicating a wide range from 0.35 to 0.62 L L -1 .…”

“…koala) were found to be comparable (Baskurt et al 2010), the remarkably high oxygen-carrying capacity reported for the eastern grey kangaroo and the Tasmanian devil suggests possible rheological adaptations specific to these species (Bartels et al 1966;Isaacks et al 1984). Haematological factors affecting oxygen content are well described for marsupials (Bartels et al 1966;Parsons et al 1970;Isaacks et al 1984;Clark 2004); however, the delivery of oxygen to nutritive exchange vessels also depends on blood flow to those vessels. Thus matching oxygen delivery to the metabolic demand of tissues is highly dependent upon blood flow, which, in turn, is affected by the rheological behaviour of blood (Baskurt 2008).…”

“…These results imply that under conditions of low blood flow, which may occur within localised regions of the circulation and/or during periods of low physical activity, the ability to transport oxygen is higher for humans than for marsupials. It also suggests that the oxygen transport benefit of the generally high haematocrit reported for macropods (Clark 2004) may be impeded by the associated increase in blood viscosity.…”

“…Clark (2004) reported haematological data from 30 macropod species, indicating a wide range from 0.35 to 0.62 L L -1 . Thus the data of the present study may represent the lower limits of reference thresholds for the eastern grey kangaroo (Arundel et al 1977;Clark 2004), suggesting that substantial variability in these species may be related to geographical and/or living conditions. Further investigation may clarify this point.…”