Soldier frontal glands of the termite Macrotermes subhyalinus: Morphology, chemical composition, and use in defense

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Journal of Chemical Ecology

Publication Date

9-1-1977

Abstract

Soldiers of the East African fungus-growing termite Macrotermes subhyalinus (Rambur) (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) employ both mechanical and chemical defenses. Soldiers release a chemical secretion composed of long-chain saturated and monounsaturated hydrocarbons into wounds inflicted by their powerful mandibles. Chemical analysis of the secretion shows the paraffin fraction to consist primarily of n-tricosane, n-pentacosane, 3- and 5-methylpentacosane, and 5-methylheptacosane. The major oleflns were identified as (Z)-9-heptacosene and (Z)-9-nonacosene. The secretion originates from the frontal glands of both major and minor soldiers; however, the hypertrophied gland of the major soldiers contains 500-fold more secretion than that of the minor soldiers. This secretion appears to impair the healing of wounds in test ants, and thus could represent a valuable supplement to the mechanical defense mechanism. © 1977 Plenum Publishing Corporation.

Keywords

chemical defense, frontal gland, fungus-growing termites, long-chain hydrocarbons, Macrotermes subhyalinus, termite soldier

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