244 



T. DE MONTE AND G. PILLERI 



The percentage values determined for the individual fractions in Ma were 

 relatively homogeneous in ail four spécimens. As regards the genus Platanista, 

 the above paper (De Monte and Pilleri, 1971) contained a description of the 

 plasmaprotein fractions based on data pertaining to spécimen N^. 454 captured 

 in the Indus. The analysis of the plasmaprotein fractions of ail the spécimens 

 caught in the Indus and the Gela Bil River (Brahmaputra) has brought to light 

 a small but constant différence in some values. 



A comparison between the mean values of the individual fractions calcu- 

 lated for animais caught in the Indus (P. indi) and the mean values of spécimens 

 from the Gela Bil River {P. gangetica) provides further proof of the spécifie 

 diversity of the cetological populations of the Indus and Ganges, established 

 by Pilleri and Gihr (1971) on the basis of craniological différences. 



The différences brought to évidence by electrophoretic séparation may be 

 summarized as foUovvs: 



Platanista indi. Albumin equal to or less than 50% and resulting albumin/ 

 globulin ratio equal to or less than 1 ; the relative percentage ratio of the PA2 

 and PA3 fractions (PA2 + PAS = 100) is PA2 = 35.46%, PA3 = 64.54% 

 PA2 



and the - — ratio, 1.807. 

 PA3 



Platanista gangetica. Albumin more than 50% and and A/G ratio more 

 than 1 . The relative percentage ratio of the PA2 and PA3 fractions is PA2 = 37.92 %, 

 PA2 



PA3 - 62.08% and the ratio = 1.495. 



PA3 



Here again it should be pointed out that the P. gangetica spécimens are 

 ail distinctly larger than the P. indi spécimens and so far it is not known, or at 

 least only very approximately, to what extent the plasmaprotein fractions vary 

 in cetaceans as a function of âge. A séries of tests are needed to confirm or réfute 

 our présent data on the river cetaceans of the Indian subcontinent. 



As we have already pointed out, marked différences exist between the plasma- 

 protein fractions of Inia and Platanista. 



For the description of the lipoprotein fractions identified by the Lees and 

 Hatch method of electrophoretic séparation on paper, référence should be made 

 to previous reports. 



BLOOD UREA 



Data pertaining to the spécimens examined are set out in Table 3. 

 The blood urea values are notoriously high in cetaceans (S. Andersen; 

 EiCHELBERGER et al; Malvin & Rayner; Medway & Moldovan; Medway & 



