Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Funktion der Ameisenmetathorakaldrüse
@article{Maschwitz1974VergleichendeUZ,
title={Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Funktion der Ameisenmetathorakaldr{\"u}se},
author={Ulrich Maschwitz},
journal={Oecologia},
year={1974},
volume={16},
pages={303-310}
}SummaryIn 6 of 7 ant subfamilies investigated, the workers produce an acidic secretion in their metapleural glands. With the exception of the gland fluid of Cremastogaster (Physocrema) inflata, all tested secretions were found to suppress the growth of Escherichia coli. From this and from former results, it is concluded that the metapleural gland contents function as an antiseptic.In Cremastogaster inflata the metapleural gland is greatly enlarged. The workers release the highly sticky…
45 Citations
Experimental evidence for the costs and hygienic significance of the antibiotic metapleural gland secretion in leaf-cutting ants
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The findings revealed that the secretory and the storage portions of this gland are connected by extracytoplasmic portion of canaliculi that drain the secretion from each secretory cell to the collecting chamber, supporting the role of the metapleural gland in the maintenance of the fungus garden.
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The results add that the slight ultrastructural difference in the metapleural glands of leaf-cutting ants can be due to the feeding type (fungus-growing ants), resulting in greater secretory capacity and antimicrobial properties to combat pathogens.
Chemical composition and function of metapleural gland secretion of the ant,Crematogaster deformis smith (hymenoptera: Myrmicinae)
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The secretion of the hypertrophied metapleural gland of the antCrematogaster deformis contains a mixture of phenols, consisting mainly of 3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin (mellein), 5-propylresorcinol, and 5-pentylresol, which has some insecticidal properties.
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