Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 1, January-Febuary 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 55 - 66 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000106 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000106
Apidologie 31 (2000) 55-66
How queen-like are the tergal glands in workers of Apis mellifera capensis and Apis mellifera scutellata?
Theresa C. Wossler
,
R.B. Veale
,
Robin M. Crewe
Communication Biology Research Group, Department of Zoology,
University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
Developmental Biology Research Group, Department of Zoology
University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
(Received 2 March 1998; revised 16 March 1999, accepted 13 September 1999)
Abstract:
Tergal gland morphology was investigated for Apis mellifera
capensis and A. m. scutellata virgin queens and workers. Workers
exhibit two types of tergal glands. Type-A glands consist of single
cells, are located along the anterior edge of the tergites II-V,
characterised by numerous mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum,
and closely associated with fat cells and oenocytes. Type-B tergal glands
are bicellular and found predominantly in capensis queens and
workers and in scutellata queens. These type-B glands occur along the
posterior edge of tergites II-V and are characterised by secretory cells
with numerous mitochondria, end apparatuses, and secretory vesicles.
There were no differences in gland location or structure in the honeybee
queens of both races. However capensis workers possess more glands of
both types and larger type-A gland cells than scutellata workers. This
result further emphasises the distinctiveness of Cape honeybees.
A. m. capensis / A. m. scutellata / tergal gland / secretory cell / duct cell / ultrastructure
Correspondence and reprints: Theresa C. Wossler
TCWossler@zoology.up.ac.za
Copyright INRA/DIB/AGIB/EDP Sciences