ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES OF HEMOCYTES IN SCORPION, HETEROMETRUS XANTHOPUS

Abstract

The ultrastructure of hemocytes of scorpion Heterometrus xanthopus is studied in this present investigation.
Light and phase contrast microscopic observations have shown seven distinct types of hemocytes. However with
TEM only six types of hemocytes were observed. The hemocytes observed were – Prohemocytes (PRs), Plasmocytes
(PLs), Granulocytes (GRs), Spherulocytes (SPs), Oenocytoids (OEs) and Adipohemocytes (ADs). The PRs were
smallest cell type with large nucleus, cytoplasm with few cell organelles and homogenous smooth surface. The
PLs were polymorphic, cytoplasm rich with several organelles and cellular surface with several cytoplasmic
projections. The GRs were abundant in number and with three types of cytoplasmic granules. The SPs were
having cytoplasm rich in spherules. The OEs were with homogenous cytoplasm and with scarce cell organelles.
The ADs were with variable size and shape and cytoplasm with fat droplets.