Histology and ultramorphology of the mesenteric sacs in the Neotropical termite Neocapritermes opacus (Blattaria, Termitidae, Termitinae)

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2020Source: Zoologischer AnzeigerAuthor(s): Iago Bueno da Silva, Sandra Daruiche Buganeme, Ana Maria Costa-LeonardoAbstractNeocapritermes opacus is a Neotropical termite, which feeds on a variety of food sources, including highly decayed wood and humus. Similar to many Termitidae, this species contains a mixed segment in the intestine, an anatomic distinct region composed of both mesenteric and proctodeal tissues. In Neocapritermes spp., a pair of intestinal protrusions referred to as mesenteric sacs are associated with the mixed segment. In the present study, with the aid of histological and scanning microscopy techniques, we provide a detailed anatomical and histological analyses of the mesenteric sacs in N. opacus workers. The results showed that the paired sacs are contiguous with the mesenteric component of the mixed segment and open into the ectoperitrophic space. The wall of the sacs is an epithelium composed of two types of cells (regenerative and principal) and musculature. The regenerative cells are located at the epithelium base and organized in regenerative crypts, while the principal cells are columnar and enfold the lumen of the sacs. Brush border was observed in the principal cell apex, aligned closely to rod-like bacteria. Secretory activity was observed in the principal cells and vesicles cast from them toward the sacs lumen, probably result of an apocrine activity. The sac epithelium was of mesenteric affiliatio...

Source: A Journal of Comparative Zoology - February 17, 2020 Category: Zoology Source Type: research