First record of hematologic values in free-living silky anteaters (Cyclopes didactylus: Xenarthra: Cyclopedidae)

This article is the first to present the hematological profile of free-living silky anteaters, also known as pygmy anteaters (Cyclopes didactylus) – the smallest tamandua. Researchers captured five animals from Delta do Parnaíba, one of the best-preserved coastal areas located in northeastern Brazil between the states of Maranhão and Piauí. After capture, researchers anesthetized the animals with a combination of ketamine chloride and mid azolam for blood collection. The following hematological parameters were determined: hematocrit count and total and differential leukocyte count. The hematocrit count in silky anteaters (34.7) did not differ from other tamanduas to which they were compared. Even so, the values of leukocytes, neutrop hils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes (5.524, 0.038, 0.162, 0.028, and 0.298, respectively) were lower in silky anteaters than in other tamanduas. Differences such as these demonstrate the need for further studies of the species. Nonetheless, the hematological values reported here will help in assessing the health of free-living populations, allow comparisons among them and between captive animals, and monitor direct anthropic influences for each species.
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research