Suicidal defensive behaviour by frontal gland dehiscence in Globitermes sulphureus Haviland soldiers (Isoptera)

@article{Bordereau1997SuicidalDB,
  title={Suicidal defensive behaviour by frontal gland dehiscence in Globitermes sulphureus Haviland soldiers (Isoptera)},
  author={C. Bordereau and A. Robert and V. van Tuyen and A. Peppuy},
  journal={Insectes Sociaux},
  year={1997},
  volume={44},
  pages={289-297}
}
Summary:Globitermes sulphureus is a well-known termite for the suicidal behaviour of the soldiers which liberate a sticky defensive secretion by rupturing their body. We have shown that this secretion is elaborated in a highly transformed frontal gland occupying a large part of the abdomen and the thorax, and not in the salivary glands as had been assumed until now. This special frontal gland without an outside opening is ruptured by violent contractions of the abdominal wall at the level of a… Expand
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TLDR
The suicidal mechanism in workers of the Neotropical termite Neocapritermes opacus, which involves salivary gland autothysis followed by body cuticle rupture and the release of a defensive secretion, was investigated. Expand
Structure and function of defensive glands in soldiers of Glossotermes oculatus (Isoptera: Serritermitidae)
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The structure and function of defensive glands in Glossotermes oculatus soldiers aiming to understand their use in combat are investigated and it is hypothesized that this self-sacrifice is an efficient way of blocking a gallery under attack. Expand
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The first observation of a frontal gland in workers of several Neotropical and one African species of Apicotermitinae is reported, which is well-developed, functional and consists of class 1 secretory cells. Expand
Worker Defensive Behavior Associated with Toxins in the Neotropical Termite Neocapritermes braziliensis (Blattaria, Isoptera, Termitidae, Termitinae)
TLDR
The morphology, mechanisms of action, and proteomics of the salivary weapon in workers of this species, which due to the autothysis of theSalivary glands causes their body rupture, in turn releasing a defensive secretion, observed during aggressiveness bioassays, are described. Expand
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This work identifies both components of this activated defense system and describes the molecular basis responsible for the toxicity of N. taracua worker autothysis, a sticky and toxic cocktail harmful to opponents. Expand
The evolution of symmetrical snapping in termite soldiers need not lead to reduced chemical defence
TLDR
It is shown that the symmetrical snapping soldiers of the Neotropical termite Cavitermes tuberosus possess a well-developed frontal gland situated in the frontal projection on their head, and that the two defensive modes are not mutually incompatible. Expand
Not Only Soldiers Have Weapons: Evolution of the Frontal Gland in Imagoes of the Termite Families Rhinotermitidae and Serritermitidae
TLDR
The authors' direct observations and comparisons with soldiers suggest a defensive role of the gland in imagoes of all studied species, which makes it likely that the gland appeared once during the early evolution of rhinotermitid ancestors, and remained as a defensive organ of prime importance in both, soldiers and imagoes. Expand
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TLDR
The defensive device of N. taracua is truly exceptional as it involves a new gland and a previously undescribed function for parietal cells, being a remarkable example of evolution of morphological innovation. Expand
A sacrificial millipede altruistically protects its swarm using a drone blood enzyme, mandelonitrile oxidase
TLDR
It is proposed that, to protect its swarm, the sacrificial millipede also applies a self-destructive defense strategy—the endogenous rupturing of the defensive sacs to mix ChuaMOX and mandelonitrile at an optimum pH. Expand
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