Morphophysiological Differences between the Metapleural Glands of Fungus-Growing and Non–Fungus-Growing Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Figure 4
Schematic representation, histology, and histochemistry of the metapleural gland Apterostigma pilosum (Attini).
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: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with hematoxylin and eosin (staining in nucleus and cytoplasm). Details of secretory cells (sc) and nuclei (n), intra (arrow) and extracytoplasmic portions of canaliculi (ec) and their nuclei (n). Scale bar = 25 µm. B–D: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with PAS/methyl green (for detecting polysaccharides and RNA). Details of the secretory cells (sc) showing the cytoplasm, nuclei (n), cross section of intracytoplasmic canaliculi (arrow), longitudinal section of extracytoplasmic canaliculi (ec), collecting chamber (cc), and reservoir (r) lined by epithelium (ep) and their nuclei (arrow). Scale bar = 25 µm. E–F: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with bromophenol blue (for detecting total proteins). Details of secretory cells (sc) and nuclei (n), and intracytoplasmic (arrow), lumen (dark arrow), and extracytoplasmic portions (ec) of canaliculi, and collecting chamber (cc) lined by epithelium (arrow). Scale bar = 25 µm. G–H: Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with Nile blue (for detecting acidic lipids). Details of secretory cells (sc) and nuclei (n), intracytoplasmic (dark arrow) and extracytoplasmic portions of canaliculi (ec), and reservoir (r) lined by epithelium (arrow). Note the presence of secretion (sec) containing acidic lipids in the reservoir. Scale bar = 25 µm.