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3. Ultrastructural study of tergal and posterior sternal glands in Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Creator:
Šobotnik, Jan, Weyda, František, and Hanus, Robert
Type:
article, model:article, and TEXT
Subject:
Ultrastructure, tergal gland, posterior sternal gland, secretory cell class 2, termite, Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae, Prorhinotermes simplex, and imagoes
Language:
English
Description:
In Prorhinotermes simplex, tergal glands are present on the last three tergites (from the 8th to the 10th) in imagoes of both sexes. In addition, males possess posterior sternal glands of the same structure on sternites 8 and 9. The tergal and the posterior sternal glands consist of four cell types: class 1 and class 2 secretory cells, and class 3 cells with corresponding canal cells. The cytoplasm of class 1 cells contains smooth endoplasmic reticulum, elongated mitochondria and numerous microtubules. Apical parts of these cells are formed by dense and long microvilli with a central ductule. Class 2 cells contain predominantly lucent vacuoles (in females) or lipid droplets (in males). The structure of class 3 cells does not differ from class 3 cells found in other body parts.
Rights:
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public

4. Ultrastructure of the frontal gland in Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and quantity of the defensive substance

Creator:
Šobotník, Jan, Weyda, František, Hanus, Robert, Kyjaková, Pavlína, and Doubský, Jan
Type:
article, model:article, and TEXT
Subject:
Ultrastructure, frontal gland, termite, Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae, Prorhinotermes simplex, Prorhinotermes inopinatus, intercaste, defence secretion, and E-1-nitropentadecene
Language:
English
Description:
The frontal gland as a sac-like organ in Prorhinotermes simplex is present only in presoldiers, soldiers, and imagoes, but exists also in nymph-soldier intercastes. The secretory epithelium consists of a single type of secretory cells adhering directly to the cuticular intima. Secretory vacuoles originate in electron dense vesicles, which are transformed into large electron lucent vacuoles. Intermediate vacuoles frequently contain lipid droplets. The frontal gland cells in presoldiers reveal modifications connected with the production of a new cuticle; the new cuticle is thin and compact, whereas the old one is thick, porous, and wrinkled. None of these cuticles is present in soldiers (sic!). In soldiers, the cuticular intima is of endocuticular origin and is formed by dispersed dense material; the apical parts of secretory cells are formed by numerous irregular finger-like projections, true microvilli are completely lacking. In imagoes, the cuticle is composed of an epicuticle, a layer of epicuticular filaments, and one more basal layer; sexual differences were not observed. In nymph-soldier intercastes, the structure of the gland differs in the head and in the metathorax; the head part of the gland resembles the imaginal gland whereas the thoracic part resembles more that of the soldier; the development of secretory vacuoles stops at the stage of presence of lipid droplets. E-1-nitropentadecene was found in the highest amount in soldiers (comparable to P. inopinatus soldiers), in moderate amount in imagoes, and it is missing in both presoldiers and intercastes.
Rights:
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public