Reference intervals for hematological variables in wild Eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)

The eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a North American tree species which has been introduced to several countries outside its native range. We made use of squirrels culled in Italy within control activities establish hematological reference intervals for this invasive species, with the aim broaden current knowledge about physiology. Blood from 104 individuals was analysed through laser analyser. Manual leukocyte differential counts on blood films subset 77 animals were used validation automated counts, resulting fairly good agreement between two methods all variables excluding monocytes. Reference and 90% confidence interval their limits estimated 19 variables, partitioning by sex when statistically significant differences detected. For most our results comparable few data available related species. An exception represented hematocrit mean corpuscular volume higher than values reported other authors, hemoglobin concentration, instead lower. This study gathered valuable information studies aimed at disclosing mechanisms underlying squirrels’ invasiveness future research