Morpho-functional variations of hemocytes in edible mud crab (Scylla sp.) under exposure of toxic metals
Srikanta Guria* and Rahit Ali
Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Barasat Govt. College, Barasat, Kolkata-700124, West Bengal, India * Corresponding author: Dr. Srikanta Guria, Assistant Professor, Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Barasat Govt. College, Kolkata-700124, West Bengal, India E-mail: srikantaguria81@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Benthic crustaceans such as crabs are suitable as bio indicators. The toxicity of contaminants can be examined in the cells by the use of animal models as biomonitoring or bioindicating tools. Metals in industrial wastewater sometime contain immuno-suppressors. Edible live mud crabs (Scylla sp.) were exposed to toxic metals like Sodium Arsenite, Mercury(II) Chloride (HgCl2), Lead Nitrate and Zinc Sulphate in glass aquaria. Result showed that mean phagocytic index in lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) treated group was significantly reduced. Mean mortality index was significantly increased in arsenic and lead treated group. Control hemocytes showed neutral red stained lysosomal compartments. Hg and Pb treated cells showed neutral red positive response in their cytoplasm indicating damage of lysosomal membrane leading to the release of hydrolases in the cytoplasm. Increased roundness of the immune cells with decreased number of pseudopods in hemocytes exposed to mercury was noted. The results of present study corroborated the earlier studies. The present study provides a protocol to find out the effect of pollution on ecosystem using crab as a bio indicator species.