Unique pits on the erythrocytes of the lesser mouse-deer, Tragulus javanicus.
The lesser mouse-deer, Tragulus javanicus, is the smallest living ungulate and it possesses the smallest erythrocytes amongst mammalian species. We observed pits on its erythrocytes by scanning electron microscopy. They were 68-390 nm in diameter (135 +/- 65 nm) and appeared in 12.8% of erythrocytes examined. They represent unique structures that have not previously been reported physiologically or pathologically.
Fukuta
K
K
National Institute of Animal Health, Ibaraki, Japan.
Kudo
H
H
Jalaludin
S
S
D000818:Animals; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012418:Ruminants / Q000097:blood*