Post-embryonic Development of Intramandibular Glands in Pachycondyla verenae (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers

• Published in: Sociobiology (Chico, CA) CA), 2013-01, Vol.60 (2), p.154-161
• Main Authors: Martins, Luiza CB, Delabie, Jacques HC, Zanuncio, Jose C, Serrão, José Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Differentiation; exocrine gland; Formicidae; histochemistry; histology; Ponerinae; secretory cell
• ISSN: 0361-6525; 2447-8067
• DOI: 10.13102/sociobiology.v60i2.154-161

The current knowledge of intramandibular glands in Hymenoptera is focused on occurrence and morphology in adult insects. This is the first report regarding the post-embryonic development of intramandibular glands in a “primitive” ant, Pachycondyla verenae. In this study, we analyzed mandibles of prepupae, white-eyed, pink-eyed and black-eyed pupae, pupa of pigmented body pupae, and adults. Adult workers of P. verenae have intramandibular glands with epidermal secretory cells of class I and isolated glands of class III, and both glands have onset differentiation in pink-eyed pupae. Some histological sections were submitted to histochemical test for total proteins and neutral polysaccharides. Histochemical tests showed occurrence of polysaccharides and proteins in epidermal secretory cells of class I from the white-eyed pupae, polysaccharides and proteins in pink-eyed pupae to black-eyed pupae in both glands classes I and III and presence of polysaccharides in adult ants also in both gland classes I and III. Intramandibular glands of classes I and III in P. verenae workers differentiate during pupation, with onset occurring in pink-eyed pupae, and completion occurring in black-eyed pupae.