Dawson Blood chemistry of Scophthalmus aquosus in Long Island Sound 



433 



When the data from each station were separated by 

 season, the difference between Stations 1 and 3 in 

 hematocrit was significant during the winter, spring, 

 and fall (Table 2). When the data on hemoglobin levels 

 were separated by season, the difference between sta- 

 tions for any particular season was not significant 

 (Table 3). Variations in hemoglobin from season to 

 season were not significant (Table 3). At each station, 

 the hematocrits of flounders collected during the winter 

 were significantly lower than those of fish collected at 

 any other season (Table 2). 



Seasonal means in MCHC ranged from 14.4 to 17.0. 

 There were no significant differences either between 

 stations or between seasons (Table 4). 



Plasma sodium levels varied by season but not by sta- 

 tion. Because of the lack of difference between stations, 

 the data from the three stations were treated together. 

 The mean sodium value for winter-collected animals at 

 all stations was 186 + 0.4 mEq/L; this is significantly 

 higher than the summer and fall values, both of which 

 were 157 ± 0.3 mEq/L (Table 4). 



Plasma potassium levels varied significantly by 

 season but not by station. The highest levels were found 

 in the summer. The mean value for summer-collected 

 animals of 5.48 + 0.15 mEq/L was significantly higher 

 than either the winter value of 4.10 + 0.18 mEq/L or 

 the fall value of 4.25 ± 0.16 mEq/L (Table 4). 



