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The presence of red blood cell abnormalities can give important diagnostic clues for the well being of any species. It is important therefore, that all features of the erythrocytes be assessed including number, color, size, polychromasia, the presence of precursors, alterations in shape, inclusions,the presence ofRBC parasites and arrangement. Keeping this in mind an annual study (April 2009-March 2010) was done on the peripheral blood of the false vampire bat,Megadermalyralyra (family:Megadermatidae) from both the genders collected from the underground mines of Mansar/Kandri near Nagpur, Maharashtra (20°92"N 78°95"E). Presence of inclusion bodies or “Heinz bodies†in a number of red cells particularly in the spherocytes were evident on supravital staining which are aggregates of denatured precipated hemoglobin produced when hemoglobin (Hb) protein globin chains are denatured through oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species since oxidative damage to RBCs is ongoing due to the continuous generation of free oxygen radicals from cellular metabolic pathways. 1 to 2 μm Heinz bodies peripherally located on the erythrocytes (protruded) were of common occurrence in the blood samples from femalescollected in the month of June (4%), July (8%), August (4%), September (15%) and December (8%) concomitant with male bats collected during June (3%), October(6%) and December (12%).Similarly single, smooth, rounded inclusions were observed during June (3%), July (4%), August (2%), September (6%) and December (4%) from femalesconcomitant with male bats collected during June (2%), October (4%) and December (6%). Their nonoccurrence during other months of the year may be justified to the presence of antioxidant pathways that protect against oxidative processes and the production of Heinz bodies. Some of the erythrocytes also revealed protruded “Heinz bodiesâ€, may be a means of cell healing. From the foregoing it is concluded that occurrence of such inclusion bodies may be correlated to systemic diseases and some injury to the erythrocyte, a decrease in oxygen carrying capacity,and therefore shortening of RBC life and hence on the wild population conservation since bats play a greater role in maintenance of ecological balance of nature.
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