BIOMETRIC, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF THREE BRACHYURAN CRABS FROM MANGROVE MUDFLATS OF THE LAGOS LAGOON

Over the years, uncontrolled discharges from increasing anthropogenic perturbations has resulted in the contamination of several coastal ecosystems. The study assesses the health status of three brachyuran crab species, cardiosoma armatum, sersama huzardi and goniopsis pelii from mangrove mudflats of the Lagos lagoon. Length weight relationship, haematic and biochemical indices of crab heamolymph were evaluated following standard methods and procedures. the results showed that the mean carapace length of examined crabs ranged from 2.20 to 4.30 cm, 2.30 to 2.60 cm and 1.90 to 2.50 cm while the mean total weight ranged from 29.46 to 97.29g, 18.04 to 35.18g and 22.76 to 39.34g for cardiosoma armatum, sesarma huzardi and goniopsis pelii respectively. Relatively low mean total haemocyte count (2.2× 107 cell/ml) was recorded for goniopsis pelii when compared to cardiosoma armatum (4.80x107cell/ml) and sesarma huzardi (2.28 x 107 cell/ml). the haemocytic subpopulation obtained from all three species was dominated by granulocytes (18, 29 and 51%), hyalinocytes (39, 36 and 23%) and semigranulocytes (49, 32 % and 18 %). Generally, aminotransaminases ast and alt showed lower activities in cardiosoma armatum (19.76 and 38.05ui) as compared to the levels in sesarma huzardi (32.26 and 50.09ui) and goniopsis pelii (51.08 and 54.93ui). The recorded higher aminotransaminase ast and alt levels in sesarma huzardi and goniopsis pelii suggest possible incidence of liver tissue damage in response to habitat condition. This calls for continuous monitoring and effective regulation for the protection of ecosystem and human health in the area.