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Mammal erythrocyte sizes

NOTE: These are size measurements for mammalian erythrocytes (red blood cells).  Erythrocytes in mammals are unique among vertebrates in that they are enucleated (i.e., contain no nuclei) and circular rather than elliptical (with the exception of some artiodactyls).  Two different measurements are given.  First, DCD ("dry cell diamater"), measured from dry blood smears, and MCV ("mean corpuscular volume"), is wet volume and is usually measured with a Coulter counter.   The few diameters measured from wet smears have been converted to estimated dry values as in Gregory (2000).  Diameters are in µm and volumes are in µm3.

Species and taxonomic information    
DCD Ref MCV Ref
CLASS MAMMALIA
SUBCLASS PROTOTHERIA
ORDER Monotremata
Family Tachyglossidae
Tachyglossus aculeatus 6.6 1 61 4
" "

65 16
Zaglossus bruijni 8.3 4 198 4
SUBCLASS THERIA
INFRACLASS METATHERIA
ORDER Dasyuromorphia
Family Dasyuridae
Dasyurus maculatus 7.2 1
Dasyurus viverrinus 6.3 1
" " 5.8 15
ORDER Didelphimorpha
Family Didelphidae
Didelphis marsupialis 7.4 1
Didelphis virginiana 7.1 1 77 2
" " 6.8 16 80 16
Didelphis sp. 8.7 3 79 3
Family Marmosidae
Monodelphis dimidiata

59 8
ORDER Diprotodontia
Family Burramyidae
Cercarctetus nanus 6.6 1
Family Macropodidae
Dendrolagus goodfellowi

81 4
Dendrolagus inustus 7.4 1
Macropus dorsalis 8.2 3
" " 6.5 15
Macropus eugenii 7.5 1 71 16
Macropus fuliginosus 7.4 1
Macropus giganteus 7.6 1
Macropus parryi 6.5 15
Macropus robustus 8.0 3
Macropus rufogriseus 7.2 1 90 4

7.4 4

6.5 15
Macropus rufus 8.1 3
Macropus sp. 8.1 3
Setonix brachyurus

62 4
" "

70 16
Thylogale billardierii 7.0 1
Family Phalangeridae
Trichosurus vulpecula 6.9 1
" " 6.5 15
Family Phascolarctidae
Phascolarctos cinereus 9.0 15
Family Potoroidae
Aepyprymnus rufescens 8.3 15
Potorous tridactylus 6.4 1
Family Vombatidae
Vombatus ursinus 7.2 1 74 4
" " 5.5 4
ORDER Peramelemorphia
Family Peramelidae
Macrotis lagotis 6.5 1
INFRACLASS EUTHERIA
ORDER Artiodactyla
Family Antilocapridae
Antilocapra americana 5.1 4 41 4
Family Bovidae
Alcelaphus buselaphus 4.5 1
Ammotragus lervia 4.0 1 29 4
" " 3.4 4
Antilope cervicapra 5.0 1 45 4
" " 4.8 4
Bison bison 6.3 1
Bison bonasus 5.3 4 60 4
Bos frontalis 5.9 1
Bos grunniens 5.1 4 49 4
Bos taurus 6.0 1 58 2
" " 5.8 4 57 4
" " 5.5 16 40 8
" " 6.0 20 53 16
" " 5.9 21
Bos sp. 5.6 3 48 3
Boselephas tragocamelus 5.0 4 59 4
Bubalus bubalis 5.5 1
Capra caucasia 3.6 1
Capra falconeri

18 4
Capra hircus 4.0 1 17 3
" " 3.1 4 22 4
" " 3.2 16 18 6
" " 4.0 19 21 8
" " 3.5 20 23 16
" " 4.2 21 25 19
Capra ibex 4.2 4 36 4
Cephalophus maxwelli 5.0 1
Connochaetes gnou 5.3 1 40 4
Connochaetes taurinus 4.4 1 31 4
Damaliscus dorcas 4.3 4 44 4
Gazella dorcas 5.2 1
Hemitragus sp. 3.1 3
Kobus ellipsiprymnus 4.9 1 51 4
Oreamnos americanus

19 2
Oryx damma

49 4
Oryx leucoryx 5.4 4 62 4
Ovibos moschatus 4.5 4 39 4
Ovis aries 4.8 1 32 3
" " 4.7 4 34 4
" " 4.8 16 37 16
" " 4.8 21
Ovis canadensis

41 4
Ovis dalli

32 2
Ovis musimon 5.0 1 32 4
" " 4.4 4
Saiga tatarica 5.3 4 59 4
Syncerus caffer 5.4 1
Taurotragus oryx 5.6 4 51 4
Tragelephus strepsiceros 5.7 4 54 4
Family Camelidae
Lama glama 7.6 x 3.7 4 25 2
" " 9.0 x 4.5   
20    
28      
4     
" "

54 16
Lama guanicoe

40 16
Lama pacos 7.6 x 4.0 1 30 4
" " 6.5 x 3.1 4
Camelus bactrianus 8.1 x 4.3 1 27 4
" " 7.5 x 3.8 4
" " 6.6 x 3.9 16
Camelus dromedarius 7.8 x 4.3 1 40 4
" " 7.0 x 3.8 4 51 16
" " 10.5 x 4.5 20
Vicugna vicugna 7.1 x 3.9 1 31 4
" " 7.1 x 3.2 4
Family Cervidae
Alces alces 6.5 1
Axis axis 5.0 1 24 4
Axis porcinus 4.7 1 37 4
Capreolus capreolus 4.9 1
Cervus elaphus 5.9 1 44 4
" " 4.5 4
Cervus canadensis 5.5 4 39 4
Cervus nippon

35 4
Cervus timorensus 6.7 1 40 4
" " 4.8 4
Dama dama 5.6 1 46 4
" " 4.9 4
Dama mesopotamia

51 17
Elephurus davidianus 5.6 4 50 4
Hydropotes inermis

42 4
Moschus moschiferus 3.6 1
Muntiacus reevesi 4.0 1
Odocoileus hemionus

48 2
Odocoileus virginianus 4.6 4 47 4
Rangifer tarandus 4.9 4 48 4
" " 4.5 20 46 8
Family Giraffidae
Giraffa camelopardalis 5.6 1 39 4
" " 4.3 4
Family Hippopotamidae
Hippopotamus amphibius 7.4 1
Family Suidae
Phacochoerus aethiopicus

63 4
Potamochoerus porcus 5.7 4 56 4
Babyrousa babyrousa 5.9 1
Sus scrofa 6.0 1 61 2
" " 5.7 4 58 3
" " 5.8 16 63 4
" " 6.3 21 64 8
" "

66 16
Family Tayassuidae
Pecari tajacu 5.7 1 61 4
" " 5.4 4
Family Tragulidae
Tragulus javanicus 2.1 1 6 6
" " 2.5 21
Tragulus meminna 2.1 1
Tragulus napu 2.3 1
ORDER Carnivora
Family Canidae
Alopex lagopus 6.5 1 60 4
" " 6.3 4
Canis aureus 6.6 4 70 3
" "

78 4
Canis familiaris 7.2 1 70 2
" " 6.8 4 66 3
" " 6.3 16 75 4
" " 7.2 19 69 16
" " 7.2 21 69 19
Canis familiaris dingo 7.5 1 78 4
" " 6.7 4
Canis latrans 6.9 4 79 4
Canis lupus 7.1 1 72 4
" " 7.0 4
Canis mesomelas 7.0 1 70 2
Crocuta crocuta 6.7 1
Lycaon pictus 6.7 1 68 4
" " 5.6 4
Otocyon megalotis 6.4 4 71 4
Speothos venaticus 6.7 4 85 4
Urocyon cinereoargentatus 6.8 1 58 4
" " 6.0 4
Vulpes bengalensis 7.6 1
Vulpes vulpes 6.1 1 53 2
" " 6.3 4 57 4
Family Felidae
Acinonyx jubatus 6.0 1 59 4
" " 5.2 4
Felis bengalensis 5.8 1 49 4
Felis caracal 5.4 1 48 4
" " 5.0 4
Felis catus 5.8 1 45 2
" " 5.7 9 57 3
" " 5.0 16 55 16
" " 5.6 19 43 19
" " 5.8 21
Felis chaus 5.3 4
Felis concolor 5.7 1 48 4
" " 5.4 4
Felis lynx 6.0 1 49 4
Felis pardalis 5.5 1 56 4
Felis serval 6.2 1 70 4
Felis silvestris

54 4
Felis yaguarondi 5.7 1
Panthera leo 5.9 1 53 4
" " 5.3 4
Panthera onca 5.2 4 55 4
Panthera pardus 5.5 1 48 4
" " 4.9 4
Panthera tigris 6.0 1 60 4
" " 5.3 4
Family Herpestidae
Herpestes edwardsii 5.4 1
Herpestes sanguineus

43 4
Herpestes smithii 5.7 1
Herpestes urva 5.1 4 42 4
Family Hyaenidae
Hyaena hyaena 6.8 1 61 4
Parahyaena brunnea

57 4
Family Mustelidae
Arctonyx collaris 7.0 1
Eira barbara 6.1 1 64 4
" " 6.1 4
Galictis vittata 6.1 1
Lutra lutra 7.3 1
Martes americana

43 4
Meles meles 6.4 1
Mellivora capensis 6.6 1
Mephitis mephitis

54 2
Mustela erminea 6.0 1
" " 6.4 4
Mustela nigripes 6.1 1
Mustela putorius 6.1 1 48 4
" "

58 8
" "

69 16
Mustela vison 7.8 4 68 4
" "

68 8
" "

72 16
Mustela sp.

48 3
Family Procyonidae
Ailurus fulgens 6.8 1
Bassaricus astutus 6.3 1
Nasua nasua 6.7 1 59 4
" " 6.3 4
Potos flavus 5.6 1 55 2
" "

72 4
Procyon lotor 6.4 1 60 4
" " 5.9 4 49 16
Family Ursidae
Tremarctos ornatus 5.8 4 48 4
Ursus americanus 6.9 1 56 4
Ursus arctos 6.8 1 68 4
Ursus malayanus 7.1 1
Ursus maritimus 6.6 1 69 4
Ursus thibetanus 6.8 4 76 4
Ursus ursinus 6.8 1
Family Viverridae
Atilax paludinosus 6.0 1
Civettictis civetta 5.9 1
Genetta tigrina 4.7 1
Mungos mungo 5.8 1
Nandinia binotata 5.5 1
Paradoxurus hermaphroditus 4.5 1 40 4
" " 4.2 4
ORDER Cetacea
Family Balaenidae
Balaena glacialis 8.2 1
Family Balaenopteridae
Balaenoptera musculus 7.7 18
Megaptera novaeangliae 8.2 18
Family Delphinidae
Globicephala macrorhynchus 6.8 4 118 4
Globicephala melas 7.9 1 123 4
Inia geoffrensis 6.9 4 108 4
Lagenorhynchus obliquidens 6.8 4 94 4
" "

95 22
Orcinus orca 6.8 4 113 4
" "

117 22
Tursiops truncatus 7.0 4 103 4
" " 8.1 16 121 16
" "

123 22
Family Monodontidae
Delphinapterus leucas

134 6
" "

166 22
Family Phocoenidae
Phocoena phocoena 6.6 1 100 4
Phocoenoides dalli 6.9 4 96 4
ORDER Chiroptera
Family Phyllostomatidae
Artibeus jamaicensis 5.7 9
Carollia perspicillata 6.3 9
Family Pteropodidae
Pteropus dasymallus 6.4 1
Pteropus giganteus 6.4 1 46 16
" " 5.7 16
Pteropus poliocephalus 6.4 1
Pteropus subniger 6.6 1
Family Rhinolophidae
Rhinolophus megaphyllus 7.0 15
Family Vespertilionidae
Chalinolobus morio 4.5 15
Eptesicus fuscus 5.8 9 38 12
Lasiuris borealis

22 12
Lasiurus cinereus 5.0 9
Nyctalus noctula 5.8 1
Pipistrellus pipistrellus 5.9 1
Pipistrellus subflavus

34 12
Plecotus auritus 5.7 1
Vespertilio murinus 6.1 1
ORDER Dermoptera
Family Cynocephalidae
Cynocephalus volans 7.3 1
ORDER Hyracoidea
Family Procaviidae
Procavia capensis 7.7 1
ORDER Insectivora
Family Erinaceidae
Erinaceus europaeus 6.2 1 41 16
" " 5.0 21
Family Soricidae
Blarina brevicauda

33 12
Cryptotus parva

35 12
Sorex araneus 5.6 1 31 6
Family Talpidae
Talpa europaea 5.4 1
Family Tenrecidae
Tenrec ecaudatus 6.2 1
ORDER Lagomorpha
Family Leporidae
Lepus americanus

66 2
Lepus timidus 7.1 1
Oryctolagus cuniculus 7.0 1 61 3
" " 6.3 4 72 4
" " 6.1 16 71 16
" " 6.6 19 63 19
" " 6.5 21
ORDER Perissodactyla
Family Equidae
Equus asinus 5.3 4 62 4
" " 6.4 1
Equus burchelli 5.8 1 54 4
Equus caballus 5.5 1 52 4
" " 5.2 4 49 16
" " 6.0 16
" " 5.8 21
Equus ferus przewalski 5.5 4 55 4
Equus grevyi 5.0 4 51 4
Equus hemionus 5.8 1 68 4
" " 5.1 4
Equus zebra 5.1 4 46 4
Equus caballus x Equus asinus

54 4
Family Rhinocerotidae
Ceratotherium simum

65 4
Diceros bicornis 6.5 4 69 4
Rhinocerus unicornis 6.8 1 65 4
Family Tapiridae
Tapirus indicus 6.4 1 62 4
Tapirus terrestris 4.7 4 51 4
ORDER Pinnepedia
Family Odobenidae
Odobenus rosmarus 9.2 1
Family Otariidae
Eumetopias jubatus 8.5 1
Zalophus californianus 7.1 4 103 4
" " 9.2 5
Family Phocidae
Halichoerus grypus 7.6 4 106 4
Leptonychotes weddellii

168 4
Mirounga angustirostris 7.6 4 114 4
" " 10.8 5
Mirounga leonina

205 4
Phoca groenlandica

131 4
Phoca sibirica

122 4
Phoca vitulina 7.7 1 108 4
" " 7.5 4 87 16
" " 7.2 16
ORDER Primates
Family Callitrichidae
Callithrix jacchus 7.0 4 71 4
Callithirx humeralifer 6.8 1
Callithrix sp. 7.2 3
Saguinus labiatus

74 8
Saguinus midas 7.2 1
Saguinus oedipus

94 4
Family Cebidae
Aotus trivirgatus 6.7 3 84 4
" " 7.3 4 81 8
Ateles belzebuth 7.1 1
Ateles geoffroyi 8.6 3 83 13
Ateles paniscus 7.1 1 79 4
" " 7.0 4
Callicebus cupreus

79 8
Cebus albifrons 7.1 1 84 4
" " 6.7 4 74 13
Cebus apella 7.3 1 96 4
" " 6.5 4
Cebus capucinus 7.4 1 86 4
" " 7.0 4
Cebus olivaceus 7.3 4 88 4
" "
Cebus sp. 7.3 3
Lagothrix lagothricha 7.0 4 81 4
" "

75 13
Saimiri sciureus 6.0 3 74 4
Family Cercopithecidae
Cercocebus torquatus 7.2 1 90 4
" " 7.4 4
Cercopithecus diana 7.2 4 79 4
Cercopithecus lhoesti

86 4
Cercopithecus petaurista 7.3 1 86 4
" " 7.2 4
Cercopithecus mitis 7.2 4
Cercopithecus mona 7.2 1 77 4
" " 6.5 4
Chlorocebus aethiops 7.4 1 89 2
" " 7.3 3 87 8
Chlorocebus pygerythrus 7.5 1 84 4
" " 7.0 4
Chlorocebus sabaeus 7.4 4 88 4
Erythrocebus patas 6.9 4 84 4
Macaca arctoides 7.5 1 76 4
" " 7.0 4 80 13
Macaca assamensis 7.2 4 76 4
Macaca fascicularis 7.4 1 70 4
" " 7.1 4 66 13
Macaca fuscata

76 2
Macaca maura 7.1 4 76 4
" "

75 13
Macaca mulatta 7.4 1 78 4
" " 6.8 4 76 8
" " 7.2 16 76 13
" "

78 16
Macaca nemestrina 7.3 1 79 4
" " 7.0 4 72 13
Macaca nigra 7.1 1 79 4
" " 7.2 4 68 13
Macaca radiata 7.1 1
Macaca silenus 7.4 1 79 4
" " 7.2 4
Macaca sinica 6.8 4 71 4
Macaca sylvanus 7.6 1 82 4
" " 6.9 4
Mandrillus leucophaeus 7.3 4 89 4
" "

86 13
Mandrillus sphinx 7.4 4 88 4
Miopithecus talapoin 7.1 1 85 4
" " 7.0 4
Nasalis larvatus

89 13
Papio anubis 7.1 4 89 4
" "

80 16
Papio cynocephalus 7.2 3 88 4
" " 7.2 4 80 16
Papio hamadryas 7.0 4 91 4
" " 7.7 5 80 13
Theropithecus gelada

86 4
Family Hominidae
Gorilla gorilla 7.2 3 87 4
" " 7.7 4 86 13
Homo sapiens 7.9 1 91 4
" " 7.2 4 90 6
" " 7.6 9 86 11
" " 8.0 11 87 14
" " 7.5 14 88 16
" " 7.3 16 88 19
" " 7.8 19
" " 8.0 21
Pan troglodytes 7.4 1 77 2
" " 7.2 4 82 3
" "

88 4
" "

83 8
" "

86 13
" "

82 16
Pongo pygmaeus 7.5 1 81 4
" " 7.0 4 86 13
Family Hylobatidae
Hylobates agilis 7.2 1
Hylobates hoolock 7.5 1 82 4
" " 7.2 4
Hylobates lar 6.7 4 67 4
" "

79 13
Hylobates leucogenys 7.4 1
Family Lemuridae
Eulemur fulvus 6.4 1
Eulemur mongoz 6.0 1
Lemur catta 6.5 1 78 4
" " 6.0 4
Family Lorisidae
Galago senegalensis

70 4
Loris tardigradus 6.9 1
Otolemur crassicaudatus

55 4
" "

53 13
ORDER Proboscidea
Family Elephantidae
Elephas maximus 9.3 1 125 4
" " 9.2 4 142 8
" " 9.3 11 126 11
" " 9.2 16 127 16
" " 9.4 21
Loxodonta africanus 9.3 1 141 6
" " 9.1 4 128 4
ORDER Rodentia
Family Agoutidae
Agouti paca 7.3 1
Family Capromyidae
Capromys pilorides 7.3 1
Family Castoridae
Castor fiber 7.6 1
Family Caviidae
Cavia porcellus 7.2 1 83 2
" " 6.9 4 77 3
" " 7.1 16 79 4
" " 7.1 18 82 8
" "

82 16
Family Chinchillidae
Chinchilla laniger

56 8
Family Cricetidae
Onychomys torridus

58 8
Family Dasyproctidae
Dasyprocta azarae 6.6 1
Myoprocta acouchy 6.7 1
Family Erethizontidae
Erethizon dorsatum 7.5 1
Coendou prehensilis 7.4 1
Family Gerbillidae
Gerbillus gerbillus 6.1 1
Family Heteromyidae
Perognathus sp.

45 6
Family Hydrochaeridae
Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris 8.0 1 114 4
" " 9.9 4
Family Hystricidae
Atherurus sp.

122 4
Hystrix cristata 7.5 1
Family Muridae
Apodemus sylvaticus 6.6 1
Arvicola riparius 6.1 1
Arvicola terrestris 6.7 1
Baiomys taylori

37 12
Bandicota indica 6.5 1
Clethrionomys gapperi

35 12
Lemmus sp.

37 4
Meriones unguiculatus

55 8
Mesocricetus auratus 5.8 4 62 4
" "

57 8
" "

59 16
Micromys minutus 6.0 1
Microtus pennsylvanicus

39 12
Microtus pinetorum

41 12
Mus musculus 6.7 1 49 2
" " 5.4 4 48 3
" " 5.8 16 53 4
" " 6.1 21 60 6
" "

47 8
" "

44 12
Neofiber alleni

72 12
Neotoma floridana

54 12
Ochrotomys nuttalli

38 12
Ondatra zibethicus 7.2 1 80 4
" "

72 12
Oryzomys palustris

58 12
Peromyscus leucopus

38 12
Peromyscus maniculatus

35 12
Peromyscus polionotus

35 12
Praomys natalensis

53 4
Rattus norvegicus 6.5 1 53 2
" " 6.5 4 62 4
" " 6.5 21 50 12
Rattus rattus 6.8 1 41 3
" " 6.0 16 55 16
Reithrodontomys humulis

39 12
Sigmodon hispidus

62 12
Family Myocastoridae
Myocastor coypus 7.6 1 117 4
" " 7.4 4
Family Myoxidae
Myoxus glis 6.2 21
Family Octodontidae
Lagostomus maximusis

85 4
Tympanoctomys barrerae 8.2 10
Family Sciuridae
Aeromys thomasi 6.7 1
Funambulus palmarum 6.6 1
Glaucomys volans 6.5 1 43 12
Marmota monax 7.3 1 66 3
" "

75 12
Sciurus carolinensis

58 12
Sciurus lis 6.4 1
Sciurus maximus 7.0 1
Sciurus niger 6.6 1 54 12
Sciurus oculatus 6.5 1
Sciurus vulgaris 6.4 1
Sciurus sp.

92 4
Tamias minimus

46 12
Tamias striatus

46 12
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

46 12
ORDER Scandentia
Family Tupaiidae
Tupaia glis

66 4
" "

59 13
ORDER Sirenia
Family Trichechidae
Trichechus manatus

129 16
ORDER Tubilidentata
Family Orycteropodidae
Orycteropus afer 9.2 1
ORDER Xenartha
Family Dasypodidae
Chaetophractus villosus 7.7 1 92 7
Dasypus hybridus

68 8
Dasypus novemcinctus 8.1 16 72 8
" "

75 16
Euphractus sexcinctus 7.4 1
Family Megalonychidae
Choleopus didactylus 8.9 1
Family Myrmecophagidae
Myrmecophaga tridactyla 9.2 1 162 4
" " 8.2 4

References: 1) Gulliver 1875, 2) Wintrobe 1933, 3) Ponder 1948, 4) Hawkey 1975, 5) Smith 1983, 6) Withers 1992, 7) Casanave and Polini 2000, 8) Ragan 1999, 9) Gregory 2000, 10) Gregory 2001b, 11) Benga et al. 2000, 12) Dunaway and Lewis 1965, 13) Huser 1970, 14) Albritton 1952 (NOTE: diameters appear to be from from Gulliver 1875, or more likely Gulliver's values as presented in Ponder 1948, and volumes are probably from Ponder 1948), 15) Cleland and Johnston 1912, 16) Lewis 1996, 17) Mohri et al. 2000, 18) Harboe and Schrumpf 1953, 19) Emmons 1927, 20) Malassez 1872, 21) Kisch 1949, 22) Koopman et al. 1999.

Click here for the reference list.


Last Modified By: T. Ryan Gregory
Last Modified On: Tuesday, February 03, 2004