[Hematologic values and altitudinal distribution of Chilean amphibians]

Blood values were measured on a series of Chilean species of frogs and toads from low and high altitudes, ranging from near sea level up to 4,500 m. Average values of red cell number, blood hemoglobin concentration and cell hemoglobin concentration were all higher in the high altitude group (6 species), while the average cell size was larger in the low altitude group (16 species). Hematocrits and cell hemoglobin content showed poor or no correlation with the altitudinal distribution of the examined species.