Author:
Billen, J. & Delsinne, T.

Year:
2014

DOI:
10.25849/myrmecol.news_019:061

Title:
A novel intramandibular gland in the ant Tatuidris tatusia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Journal:
Myrmecological News

Volume:
19

Pages:
61-64

URL:
www.myrmecologicalnews.org

Keywords:
Exocrine glands, mandibles, histology, Agroecomyrmecinae.

Abstract:
The mandibles of Tatuidris tatusia workers are completely filled with glandular cells that represent a novel kind of intramandibular gland that has not been found in ants so far. Whereas the known intramandibular glands in ants are either epithelial glands of class-1, or scattered class-3 cells that open through equally scattered pores on the mandibular surface, the ducts of the numerous class-3 secretory cells of Tatuidris all converge to open through a conspicuous sieve plate at the proximal ventral side near the inner margin of each mandible.

Publisher:
The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics

ISSN:
Print: 1994-4136 - Online: 1997-3500