Journal of Morphological Sciences
http://www.jms.periodikos.com.br/article/587cb4637f8c9d0d058b4648
Journal of Morphological Sciences
Original Article

COMPARATIVE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE MANDIBULAR GLAND IN Scaptotrigona postica (HYMENOPTERA, APIDAE, MELIPONINI) WORKERS AND MALES

Luciana Fioretti Gracioli-Vitti; Fábio Camargo Abdalla

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Abstract

Differences in the ultrastructure and function of the mandibular glands in developing workers and mature males of the meliponine stingless bee Scaptotrigona postica suggest that there are age-dependent variations in the contents of the secretion and glandular functions. In this work, we used transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy to examine the mandibular glands of S. postica workers of different ages and compared them with those of mature males. The gland anatomy did not vary between workers and males. However, the ultrastructure of the gland cells changed according to the worker’s age, task, and sex. The mandibular gland cells in workers and males had a well developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum and pleomorphic mitochondria, indicating that the cells were involved in lipid synthesis. However, the secretion varied in morphology and electrondensity between workers and males, which suggested differences in its contents and, possibly, in glandular functions.

Keywords

Labor division, morphology, secretion, scanning electron microscopy, stingless bee, transmission electron microscopy
587cb4637f8c9d0d058b4648 jms Articles
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J. Morphol. Sci.

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