Scorpion Hemocyte- Plasmocyte

Abstract

The plasmocytes in five different scorpions- Mesobuthus tumulus tamulus, M. tumulus concanesis, Orthochirus bicolor, Heterometrus xanthopus, H. phipsoni were studied in the present investigation. The hemocytes are polymorphic and their population is about 70 – 80%. The length varied from 6- 12 μm and the width is 6- 12 μm in M. tumulus tamulus, M. tumulus concanesis and O. bicolor. In H. xanthopus and H. phipsoni the length ranged between 10- 35 μm and width between 3- 11 μm. The cytological characteristics were studied in all five species of scorpions. The nucleus is basophilic and placed at the centre. The cytological detail of plasmocyte in H. xanthopus of was studied by TEM. It is polymorphic with rod shaped mitochondria and centrally placed nucleus.