The present study was carried out on the microscopic characterization of peripheral blood cells (erythrocytes, leucocytes, and thrombocytes) of Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetina obtusa) from southwestern Iran. Ten snakes were used in this study. Two blood smears for each snake were prepared immediately by syringes, air-dried, and then stained with Wright and Giemsa method. Slides were examined by light microscope. The erythrocytes of the Levantine viper were homogenous in size, shape, and color. They were typically ellipsoid or round cells, with an ellipsoid to irregularly round nuclei that contained dense chromatins. In addition, overall, five types of the leucocytes including heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were observed in the peripheral blood smears. Our findings provide important baseline information on the reference description and morphologic classification of blood cells in the Levantine viper species and are useful for the scientists involved in snake conservation around the world.
