MORPHOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HAEMOCYTES OF FRESH WATER PRAWN, Macrobrachium dayanum (CRUSTACEA-DECAPODA)

Haematological profile of the M. dayanum will be helpful in monitoring the health status of this prawn species which is a potential animal for fresh water aquaculture as well as a good model for monitoring the pollution level of the fresh water ecosystems. The haemocytes of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium dayanum were classified into seven types based on morphology and behaviour like formation of pseudopodia, encapsulation of foreign particles clumping etc., under phase contrast microscope and their reactions with different stains. The seven types of haemocytes included prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, spindle cells, granular haemocytes, spherule cells, adipohaemocytes and the cystocytes. The structural details and their significance in haemocyte classification along with probable functions like transport of food, phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign particles, defense against various infections, hardening of exoskeleton, prevention of blood loss by promoting immediate clotting, confinement of invasive organism and detoxification, of different haemocyte types have been discussed.