This work was carried out in order to verify the effect of three temperatures (18, 27 and 32°C) on cellular types present in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) larva and nymph hemolymph. Six cellular types were found in the hemolymph: prohemocytes (PR), plasmatocytes (PL), granulocytes (GR), spherulocytes (ES), adipohemocytes (AD) and oenocytoids (OE), being the ES divided into two subtypes (ES I and ES II). Effect of temperature was more intense in the larva stage in which a GR leukopenia and ES II leukocytosis occurred at 18°C. At 27 and 32°C the amount of these cells was similar, being the GR the most abundant cell type. This indicates the participation of these cells in the metabolism of this stage. It was also the most abundant cell type found in the nymphs, however, without the occurrence of marked variations among the distinct temperatures. This indicates that each development stage presents a specific metabolic need, which is expressed by the cell types present in the hemolymph. In some cases, the presence os cells is independent on the temperature.
Ixodidae; Rhipicephalus sanguineus; hemocytes; temperature
