Morphological Observations on the Thrombocyte of Eastern Sarus Cranes (Grus antigone sharpii) in Northeastern Thailand

Blood samples from eastern sarus cranes housed at Nakhonratchasima Zoo, Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern, Thailand were collected in January, 2007. A morphological observation of the thrombocytes was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed the following information: The thrombocytes of the eastern sarus cranes are tiny cells and they display a smooth, irregular, spherical and pseudopodic membrane surface with long microfilament protrusions from their membrane. The thrombocytes of the eastern sarus cranes use these microfilaments to attach to other blood cells for movement and blood clumping. The long microfilaments were not found in fish, reptiles and other domestic birds. The morphological structure of the thrombocyte, the microfilaments and the activities of the eastern sarus crane has not been reported previously.