Blood cell types in Carcinus maenas and their physiological role

Abstract
As recent studies have shown that in Crustacea the haemolymph plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism (Johnston & Davies, 1972, Williams & Lutz, 1975) it is clear that a proper understanding of this phenomenon depends on an accurate knowledge of the variety of cell types found. However, an examination of the literature revealed a wide divergence of opinion in the recognition of various kinds, their relationships and their composition, with, for example, the same authors reaching quite different conclusions from similar evidence (Johnston, Davies & Elder, 1971, Johnson, Elder & Davies, 1973) (Table 1). This suggested that the subject required further examination. As both the type and number of cells may vary according to the condition of the animal (Sniesko & Taylor, 1947), it was decided to look at the blood of fed and starved specimens.

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