Temporal and geographic variations in the morphology and chemical composition of the frontal gland in imagoes of Prorhinotermes species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

0329835 - ÚOCHB 2010 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Piskorski, Rafal - Hanus, Robert - Kalinová, Blanka - Valterová, Irena - Křeček, J. - Bourguignon, T. - Roisin, Y. - Šobotník, Jan
Temporal and geographic variations in the morphology and chemical composition of the frontal gland in imagoes of Prorhinotermes species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Roč. 98, č. 2 (2009), s. 384-392. ISSN 0024-4066. E-ISSN 1095-8312
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR IAA600550614
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z40550506
Keywords : defensive secretion * nitroalkenes * sesquiterpene hydrocarbons * termites
Subject RIV: CC - Organic Chemistry
Impact factor: 2.040, year: 2009

The frontal gland is a prominent defensive device for termite soldiers, but almost nothing is known about its function in imagoes. We show that the frontal gland of imagoes in Prorhinotermes species is well developed at the time of the nuptial flight, and filled with a complex mixture of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and nitroalkenes. The composition varies between P. simplex and P. canalifrons, between geographically distant colonies of P. simplex (Cuba vs. Florida), and between different flights of closely related subcolonies. The volume of secretory cells decreases in functional kings and queens after colony foundation, and dealate reproductives lose the ability for biosynthesis, and their frontal gland is devoid of volatile compounds found in swarming imagoes.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0175763