Blood Cells Morphology of the SnailBellamya Bengalensis

Abstract

Morphological characters of haemocytes and seasonal changes in blood indices were studied in Bellamya bengalensis. Two types of haemocytes were identified: I (Ia and Ib) and II. Spherical type I haemocytes (ca. 93%) are cells capable of spread-ing on the substratum and forming numerous pseu-dopodia. Subtypes Ia and Ib are most probably two different development stages of the same cell type. Type II haemocytes are oval cells of stable shape, rarely forming pseudopodia. A wide individual var-iation and significant seasonal changes were found, involving the number of haemocytes and haemato-logical indices.