Comparative seasonal haematology of two bat species,scotophilus heathii and pipistrellus pipistrellus,in a subtropical area of Pakistan

Various haematological parameters of two bat species belonging to the family vespertilionidae (scotophilus healthii and pipistrellus pipistrellus) were examined on the seasonal basis. blood samples were taken from 47 bats (23 s. heathii and 24 p. pipistrellus) captured from potohar region. results showed that p. pipistrellus exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher mean counts of red blood cells (rbcs),white blood cells (wbcs),platelets,haemoglobin (hb),and packed cell volume (pcv) as compared to s. heathii. however,mean corpuscular volume (mcv),mean corpuscular haemoglobin (mch) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (mchc) levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in s. heathii as compared to p. pipistrellus. seasonal comparisons in both the species depicted lowest levels of rbcs,wbcs,mcv,mch and pcv in spring when bats are least active just after hibernation. highest mean estimates of rbcs,hb,and pcv were observed in summer (bats are most active) in male and female bats belonging to both species. however,wbcs levels were at peak during autumn when bats are preparing to go into hibernation. © copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.