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

Occurrence, morphology and ultrastructure of the Dufour gland in Melipona bicolor Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

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Author(s):
Abdalla, Fabio Camargo [1] ; Cruz-Landim, Carminda da
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Biologia - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Revista Brasileira de Entomologia; v. 48, n. 1, p. 9-19, Mar. 2004.
Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology
Abstract

The occurrence, morphology and ultrastructure of the Dufour gland in Melipona bicolor Lepeletier, 1836 are presented. The Dufour gland is not present in workers. In virgin queens the gland cells show characteristics of low activity, which are described in the text. In physogastric queens the gland epithelium is higher and the cells more active than in virgin queens, showing numerous basal plasmic membrane invaginations impregnated by an electrondense material, increased apical invaginations and accumulation of substances that will be released to the gland lumen in the subcuticular space. Therefore, the data show that the Dufour gland is more developed in physogastric than in virgin queens, indicating a possible involvement of the Dufour gland in the reproduction of this species. (AU)