Structure and function of defensive glands in soldiers of Glossotermes oculatus (Isoptera: Serritermitidae)

0342579 - ÚOCHB 2011 RIV GB eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Šobotník, Jan - Bourguignon, T. - Hanus, Robert - Weyda, František - Roisin, Y.
Structure and function of defensive glands in soldiers of Glossotermes oculatus (Isoptera: Serritermitidae).
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Roč. 99, č. 4 (2010), s. 839-848. ISSN 0024-4066. E-ISSN 1095-8312
Grant CEP: GA ČR GAP506/10/1570
Výzkumný záměr: CEZ:AV0Z40550506; CEZ:AV0Z50070508
Klíčová slova: autothysis * behaviour * frontal gland * labial glands * labral gland
Kód oboru RIV: CC - Organická chemie
Impakt faktor: 2.166, rok: 2010

In the present study, we investigated the structure and function of defensive glands in Glossotermes oculatus soldiers aiming to understand their use in combat. Three glands are involved in defence: labral, frontal, and labial glands. Mandibles are used to bite the enemy, whereas the secretions of labral and labial glands are discharged into the wound. A striking characteristic of G. oculatus is the lack of the frontal pore; the secretion of the frontal gland is discharged by a rupture of the body wall. We hypothesized that this self-sacrifice is an efficient way of blocking a gallery under attack.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0185280