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Instars and polymorphism of castes inMacrotermes michaelseni (Isoptera, Macrotermitinae)

Le polymorphisme des castes et les stades larvaires et nymphaux chez Macrotermes michaelseni (Isoptera, Macrotermitinae)

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Summary

Biometric studies and physiological investigations made it possible to propose a scheme of post-embryonic development and polymorphism inMacrotermes michaelseni. An instar hitherto undescribed has been found and designated fourth instar. This instar is comprised of female larvae which moult into major presoldiers. Minor presoldiers moult from some of the third instar female larvae which are morphologically identical to the female worker larvae. Three instars were detected in the case of both minor and major worker development. Workers and soldiers are sterile castes. Nymphs develop from first instar larvae and moult through five instars before imaginal moult.

Resume

Des études de biométrie et des recherches physiologiques permettent de proposer un schéma du développement post-embryonnaire et du polymorphisme chezMacrotermes michaelseni. Un stade larvaire non encore décrit a été trouvé et nommé stade IV. Ce stade correspond aux larves femelles qui muent en grands présoldats. Les petits présoldats proviennent de quelques larves femelles du stade III qui sont morphologiquement identiques aux larves d'ouvriers femelles. Trois stades larvaires sont discernés dans le cas du petit et du grand ouvrier. Tous les ouvriers et soldats sont stériles. Les nymphes passent à travers cinq stades depuis le stade I jusqu'à la mue imaginale qui donne naissance aux reproducteurs ailés.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya

    B. M. Okot-Kotber

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  1. B. M. Okot-Kotber
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Okot-Kotber, B.M. Instars and polymorphism of castes inMacrotermes michaelseni (Isoptera, Macrotermitinae). Ins. Soc 28, 233–246 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223626

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223626

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