Blood Cell Types and Abnormalities in Free Ranging Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) Populations from Different Habitats

Abstract

Testudo hermanni is considered near threatened globally in the wild. In this study differential leukocyte percentages, nuclear abnormalities, and erythrocyte morphology abnormalities of Testudo hermanni populations from two different habitat types in the Thrace Region were determined to whether habitats have a potential effect on blood cells. A total of 37 tortoises, 18 from an open habitat in Kırklareli/Karakoç, and 19 from an isolated habitat in Edirne/Keşan were studied. According to the results obtained from the Micronucleus Test, which detects genotoxic damage, there was no statistically significant difference between the two habitats. There were statistically significant differences in erythrocyte morphology abnormalities and differential leukocyte count between two populations, such as frequencies of anucleated erythrocyte, nuclear shift, elliptical shape distortion, monocyte and eosinophile percentages. This is the first study examined nuclear abnormalities of Testudo hermanni in Türkiye.