Hematologic and plasma biochemical reference values for three flying fox species (Pteropus sp.)

Abstract

Reference hematologic and plasma biochemical values from island (Pteropus hypomelanus), Malaysian (P. vampyrus), and Rodriquez Island (P. rodricensis) flying foxes were determined. In comparison to other mammals, these bats had very low plasma cholesterol and urea levels, which may be related to diet. The predominant white blood cells observed in P. hypomelanus and P. vampyrus were lymphocytes, while in P. rodricensis they were neutrophils. Elevated plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase observed in the juvenile P. hypomelanus were expected, given the greater osteogenic activity of growing animals. In P. hypomelanus, bilirubin levels were higher in juveniles than in adults, and cholesterol levels were higher in females than in males.