Hematological values for free-ranging yellow-bellied marmots [Valeurs hématologiques chez les marmottes à ventre jaune sauvages].

Résumé

1. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte, leucocytes. MCV, MCH and MCHC were determined for a population of Marmota flaviventris over a period of seven years. 2. There was no significant difference in hematology among years, between sexes or between seasons for adults and yearlings. 3. Early season juveniles had significantly lower PCV. Hb and erythrocyte counts than did late season juveniles. There were no significant differences in hematological value among adults, yearlings and late season juveniles. 4. Juveniles had significantly lower leucocycte counts than adults and yearlings. 5. PCV of marmots responds to acclimatization. 6. Hematological value of scuirids are adaptive to environmental factors such as hypoxia of burrows and high altitude, temperature and metabolic rate. 7. PCV of yellow-bellied marmots evidences an adaptive response to high altitude when compared to the closely-related woodchuck, M. monax.