Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Convoluted Gland in the Ant Dinoponera Australis (hymenoptera : Formicidae)

The morphology and fine structure of the convoluted gland inside the venom reservoir of the ponerine ant Dinoponera austrafis (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) are described. The cells of the convoluted gland can be divided into 3 major groups: (1) epithelial cells, (2) glandular cells with end apparatus secreting into the tubule inside the convoluted gland, and (3) glandular cells with end apparatus secreting directly into the venom reservoir. A fourth group of cells belonging to the venom gland of this ant is also discussed as (4) secretory cells of the free tubule (not a part of the convoluted gland). The epithelial cells in the convoluted gland do not have many organelles. Most cells of group 3 are characterized by numerous mitochondria. In some of these cells, the mitochondria possess tubular cristae. Tubule cells of group 2 inside the convoluted gland, possess little rough endoplasmic reticulum when compared with cells of group 4, situated in the free tubule. Index descriptors (in addition to those in title): Ponerinae, venom gland.