The nasus gland: a new gland in soldiers of Angularitermes (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)

Arthropod Structure & Development
Jan ŠobotníkEliana M Cancello

Abstract

Termites have developed many exocrine glands, generally dedicated to defence or communication. Although a few of these glands occur in all termite species, or represent synapomorphies of larger clades, others are morphological innovations of a single species, or a few related species. Here, we describe the nasus gland, a new gland occurring at the base of the nasus of Angularitermes soldiers. The nasus gland is composed of class 1, 2, and 3 secretory cells, a rare combination that is only shared by the sternal and tergal glands of some termites and cockroaches. The ultrastructural observations suggest that the secretion is produced by class 2 and 3 secretory cells, and released mostly by class 3 cells. The base of the nasus has a rough appearance due to numerous pits bearing openings of canals conducting the secretion from class 3 secretory cells to the exterior. We tentatively assign a defensive function to the nasus gland, although further research is needed to confirm this function. Although the gland is described only from species of Angularitermes, other genera of Nasutitermitinae also present a rough nasus base, suggesting the presence of a similar, possibly homologous, gland.

References

Jun 4, 2004·Nature·Martin D F Ellwood, William A Foster
Jul 13, 2007·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Daegan J G InwardPaul Eggleton
Jan 22, 2008·Arthropod Structure & Development·André QuennedeyChristian Bordereau
Mar 13, 2010·Journal of Insect Physiology·Jan SobotníkRobert Hanus
Jul 2, 2014·Micron : the International Research and Review Journal for Microscopy·Ana Maria Costa-Leonardo, Ives Haifig
Oct 5, 2014·Arthropod Structure & Development·Barbora KřížkováJan Sobotník
Feb 5, 2015·Parasites & Vectors·Vanessa Aparecida Chagas-MoutinhoMaria Cristina Machado Motta
Sep 13, 2015·Arthropod Structure & Development·Ana Maria Costa-LeonardoLara Teixeira Laranjo

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