Morphophysiological Differences between the Metapleural Glands of Fungus-Growing and Non–Fungus-Growing Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Figure 3
Schematic representation, histology, and histochemistry of the metapleural gland of Wasmannia auropunctata (Blepharidattini).
Secretory cells (sc) and their nuclei (n), extracytoplasmic portion of canaliculi (ec) and their nuclei (n), collecting chamber (cc) and the sieve plate (p) and reservoir (r) with opening (og), lined by epithelium (ep) and cuticular intima (cut) are shown. A–B: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with hematoxylin and eosin (staining in nucleus and cytoplasm). Details of the secretory cells (sc) and nuclei (n), intracytoplasmic portion (arrow) of canaliculi (ec), reservoir (r) lined by epithelium (ep) and cuticular intima (cut). Scale bar = 20 µm. C–D: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with PAS/methyl green (for detecting polysaccharides and RNA). Details of secretory cells (sc) showing the cytoplasm, nucleus (n), intracytoplasmic canaliculi (arrow), and reservoir (r) lined by epithelium (ep). Note the presence of few granules containing polysaccharides (dark arrow) located in the periphery of the secretory cells. Scale bar = 20 µm. E–F: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with bromophenol blue (for detecting total proteins). Details of secretory cells (sc), nuclei (n), intracytoplasmic portion of the canaliculi (arrow), and reservoir (r) lined by a cuticular intima (cut). Scale bar = 20 µm. G–H: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with Nile blue (for detecting acidic lipids). Details of secretory cells (sc) and collecting chamber (cc). Scale bar = 20 µm.