Eur. J. Entomol. 102 (1): 81-88, 2005 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2005.011

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

Jan ŠOBOTNÍK1, František WEYDA2, Robert HANUS*,1,3
1 Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-166 10 Praha 6, Czech Republic; e-mail: sobotnik@uochb.cas.cz
2 Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 31, CZ-370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; e-mail: weyda@entu.cas.cz
3 Department of Zoology, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic

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.

Keywords: Ultrastructure, tergal gland, posterior sternal gland, secretory cell class 2, termite, Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae, Prorhinotermes simplex, imagoes

Received: May 13, 2004; Revised: August 18, 2004; Accepted: September 9, 2004; Published: March 25, 2005  Show citation

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ŠOBOTNÍK, J., WEYDA, F., & HANUS, R. (2005). Ultrastructural study of tergal and posterior sternal glands in Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). EJE, 102(1), 81-88. doi: 10.14411/eje.2005.011
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