Morphologic and cytochemical characteristics of blood cells from Hawaiian green turtles

Objective - To identify and characterize blood cells from free-ranging Hawaiian green turtles, Chelonia mydas.

Sample Population - 26 green turtles from Puako on the island of Hawaii and Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu.

Procedure - Blood was examined, using light and electron microscopy and cytochemical stains that included benzidine peroxidase, chloroacetate esterase, alpha naphthyl butyrate esterase, acid phosphatase, Sudan black B, periodic acid-Schiff, and toluidine blue.

Results - 6 types of WBC were identified: lymphocytes, monocytes, thrombocytes, heterophils, basophils, and eosinophils (small and large). Morphologic characteristics of mononuclear cells and most granulocytes were similar to those of cells from other reptiles except that green turtles have both large and small eosinophils.

Conclusions - Our classification of green turtle blood cells clarifies imporoper nomenclature reported previously and provides a reference for future hematologic studies in this species.