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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

First report of endocytobionts in the digestive tract of ponerine ants

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Author(s):
Caetano, F. H. [1] ; Bution, M. L. [1] ; Zara, F. J. [2]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Depto Biol, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
[2] UNESP, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Review article
Source: Micron; v. 40, n. 2, p. 194-197, FEB 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

We conducted ultrastructural studies to examine the presence of microorganisms in the midgut of the ant Odontomachus bauri (Ponerinae), as a contribution towards understanding the relationships between microorganisms and their hosts. The presence of microorganisms in this region, including inside the cells, suggests their participation in food digestion as symbiontic organisms and represent a new possibility to exploit food sources in the environment. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)