Journal of Environmental Biology

Understanding haematopoiesis as survival strategy in two characteristic habitat specialist fishes inhabiting

a hill stream environment

A. Chaudhuri, K. Gangopadhyay and S. Homechaudhuri*

Department of Zoology, Aquatic Bioresource Research Laboratory,? University of Calcutta, Kolkata?700 019, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sumithomec@yahoo.com ?

Key words

Garra gotyla gotyla,

Garra annandalei,

Head kidney,

Haematopoiesis,

Survival strategy

Publication Data

Paper received : 09.01.2016

Revised received : 13.06.2016

Accepted : 06.11.2016

Abstract

Aim: The torrential hill streams of eastern Himalayan region represent a unique lotic water ecosystem. The fish population inhabiting this region are designated as habitat specialists. Being good indicator of different environmental factors, haematopoiesis can be considered as an important component in survival strategy of such characteristic fish. So, the aim of the present study was to perform quantitative and qualitative evaluation of developing blood cells in the head kidney of two such habitat specialist fish species of River Murti- Garra gotyla gotyla and Garra annandalei.

Methodology: Garra gotyla gotyla and Garra annandalei were collected from three different sites of river Murti selected along decreasing altitudinal gradient and different habitat type. Tissue imprint technique and haematopoietic efficiency determination method were employed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of haematopoietic cells. Cell cycle phase distribution of nuclear DNA of head kidney cells were determined by flow cytometry.

Results: Eleven types of hematopoietic precursors and mature cells in erythroid and lymphoid lineage at different developmental stages were identified and documented through cytological description and morphometry in head kidneys of both the species. The erythroid lineage was dominant over all other lineages with relatively less storage forms and more young and mature erythrocyte population which was about 55.73% and 47.74% of the whole haematopoietic components studied in Garra gotyla gotyla and Garra annandalei, respectively. The flow cytometry analysis of the head kidney cells of both the species according to their Forward scatter (size) and Side scatter (granularity) properties revealed two distinct populations corresponding to small agranular and large granular cells. The percentage distribution of such cells by flow cytometry corroborated with the observation under light microscopy. Cell cycle analysis and erythropoietic efficiency of head kidney also revealed significantly high maturation rate of developing blood cells in Garra gotyla gotyla than Garra annandalei. ??? 

Interpretation: The differential pattern of erythropoiesis might indicate its functional significance reflecting differences in the survival strategies and habitat selection of Garra gotyla gotyla and Garra annandalei. 

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