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Ultrastrucuture of the fat body of the reproductive pair in higher termites
Author(s) -
Han Sun Heat,
Bordereau Christian
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051720306
Subject(s) - biology , vitellogenesis , sexual dimorphism , fat body , queen (butterfly) , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , hymenoptera , oocyte , embryo , larva
Abstract The fine structure of the fat body of the higher termite king and queen has been studied both in species with ( Macrotermes bellicosus, M. subhyalinus ) and without ( Cubitermes fungifaber ) tracheal rosettes. There is a very pronounced sexual dimorphism. The adipocytes of the queen are highly specialized for protein synthesis and secretion; they store only a small quantity of reserves. The adipocytes of the king are not specialized in protein synthesis, but accumulate large amounts of reserve substances. The previously proposed different functions of the termite queen's fat body are discussed; it appears to be mainly concerned with vitellogenesis.