Hematological reference intervals in argentine lizard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tupinambis merianae</Emphasis> (Sauria—Teiidae)

In order to establish referential hematological parameters, blood samples were taken from 100 healthy specimens of the Argentine tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae) by means of venipuncture of ventral coccigeal vein. The determination of red blood cells, leukocyte and thrombocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, hematometric index and differential leukocyte count were performed, and compared with other saurian species. No statistically significant changes were observed as function as sex and age (p > 0.01). During winter, high values of red blood cell counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin were observed (p < 0.01), while in summer significantly increased leukocyte and thrombocyte counts were observed (p < 0.01). The differential leukocyte counts were not affected by the studied factors.