The Effects of Environmental Variables and Morphometry on Hemocyte Structure in the Hemolymph of Portunid Crab, Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 in Çardak Lagoon (Çanakkale Strait)

This study aims to determine the relationship between hemocyte count and hemocyte types with environmental variables and morphometric measurements in Carcinus aestuarii. A total of 240 crabs were seasonally collected in Çardak Lagoon June 2018, October 2018, February 2019, and May 2019. The average carapace length (CL) was 44.66±0.44 mm, the mean carapace width (CW) was 37.71±0.38 mm and the mean weight was 28.49±0.88 g. Crab specimens were anesthetized on ice for 10 min, and 500 µL of hemolymph was collected from the legs of each crab using a 1-mL plastic syringe. After sampling, hemolymph samples were mixed with the anticoagulant, which was applied to a Thoma slide and examined under a microscope at X40 magnification. The total hemocyte count (THC) was calculated as 13.91±8.08x106 (cells/mm3). Differential hemocyte count (DHC) 53.25±0.6% for hyalinocyte, 26.15±0.23% for semi-granulocyte, and 20.6±0.06% for granulocyte and 3 different cell types were observed. The most dominant cell type is hyalinocyte cells.