Summary
The leg exocrine gland was examined in two species of Neotropical termites. Scanning microscopy studies showed a set of pores on the ventral surface of the first and second tarsomeres in all legs ofSerritermes serrifer. InHeterotermes tenuis these pores are present on a sunken plate in all castes. To date, this gland has been observed only in Rhinotermitid species. The presence of leg exocrine gland provides additional evidence supporting a close phylogenetic relationship between the Serritermitidae and Rhinotermitidae.
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References
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Costa-Leonardo, A.M. The leg exocrine system inSerritermes serrifer (Hagen, 1858), phylogenetic implications (Isoptera: Serritermitidae). Ins. Soc 41, 111–114 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240578
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240578