ASIAN
MYRMECOLOGY
Image: François Brassard
online first (online version of paper published before print issue)
DOI: 10.20362/am.015002
Asian Myrmecology 15: 015002 (1-5)
article first published online: 7/February/2022
The dorsoproximal intramandibular gland in Leptanilla clypeata, a novel exocrine gland in ants
JOHAN BILLEN1 & FUMINORI ITO2
Abstract:
Workers of Leptanilla clypeata have a conspicuous epithelial gland underneath thedorsoproximal part of the mandibles that is different from all other intramandibular glands that are sofar found in ants. Because of its unique location, we suggest to name this novel structure as the "dorosoproximal intramandibular gland". The gland occurs in an excavation of the mandibular cuticle andis made up by columnar cells with apical microvilli and basal invaginations. The presence of smoothendoplasmic reticulum indicates the elaboration of a non-proteinaceous secretion, although the func-tion of the novel gland remains unknown.
Keywords:
Leptanillinae, Formicidae, morphology, ultrastructure
Get PDF (2.2 MB) :
JOHAN BILLEN1 & FUMINORI ITO2
Abstract:
Workers of Leptanilla clypeata have a conspicuous epithelial gland underneath thedorsoproximal part of the mandibles that is different from all other intramandibular glands that are sofar found in ants. Because of its unique location, we suggest to name this novel structure as the "dorosoproximal intramandibular gland". The gland occurs in an excavation of the mandibular cuticle andis made up by columnar cells with apical microvilli and basal invaginations. The presence of smoothendoplasmic reticulum indicates the elaboration of a non-proteinaceous secretion, although the func-tion of the novel gland remains unknown.
Keywords:
Leptanillinae, Formicidae, morphology, ultrastructure
Get PDF (2.2 MB) :
1Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
2Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Ikenobe, Miki, 761-0795, Japan
*Corresponding author: johan.billen@kuleuven.be; ito.fuminori@kagawa-u.ac.jp
