Eur. J. Entomol. 101 (1): 153-163, 2004 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2004.020

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

Jan ŠOBOTNÍK1,*, František WEYDA2, Robert HANUS1, Pavlína KYJAKOVÁ1, Jan DOUBSKÝ1
1 Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám. 2, Praha 6, CZ - 166 10, Czech Republic
2 Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, CZ - 370 05, Czech Republic

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.

Keywords: Ultrastructure, frontal gland, termite, Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae, Prorhinotermes simplex, Prorhinotermes inopinatus, intercaste, defence secretion, E-1-nitropentadecene

Received: May 28, 2003; Revised: September 23, 2003; Accepted: November 3, 2003; Published: March 25, 2004  Show citation

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ŠOBOTNÍK, J., WEYDA, F., HANUS, R., KYJAKOVÁ, P., & DOUBSKÝ, J. (2004). Ultrastructure of the frontal gland in Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and quantity of the defensive substance. EJE, 101(1), 153-163. doi: 10.14411/eje.2004.020
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