Dehiscent organs used for defensive behavior of kamikaze termites of the genus Ruptitermes (Termitidae, Apicotermitinae) are not glands

Micron : the International Research and Review Journal for Microscopy
Silvana B Poiani, Ana Maria Costa-Leonardo

Abstract

During Isoptera evolution, the caste of soldiers disappeared in some Apicotermitinae termites as in the Neotropical Ruptitermes. Paired dorsolateral structures located between the metathorax and abdomen of foraging workers of Ruptitermes were previously denominated dehiscent glands, and are responsible for releasing an adhesive secretion that immobilizes enemies, causing their death. In this study, we investigated the morphology of dehiscent organs of workers of Ruptitermes reconditus, Ruptitermes xanthochiton, and Ruptitermes pitan and also second instar larvae of R. reconditus using light, laser scanning confocal, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we performed a preliminary protein analysis using SDS-PAGE to further characterize the secretion of Ruptitermes dehiscent organs. Our results showed that the dehiscent organs do not exhibit the typical characteristics of the exocrine glandular cells class I, II or III of insects, suggesting that they constitute a new type of defensive organ. Thus, the denomination dehiscent gland was not used but dehiscent organ. Dehiscent organs in larvae are formed by fat body cells. In workers, dehiscent organs are composed by compact masses of cells that accumulate a defensive ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 17, 2012·PloS One·David Sillam-DussèsJan Šobotník
Oct 5, 2014·Arthropod Structure & Development·Barbora KřížkováJan Sobotník
May 28, 2020·Microscopy and Microanalysis : the Official Journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada·Ana Maria Costa-LeonardoIago Bueno da Silva

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