Ralf D. Schumann.
Peculiar appendages in male pupae of Leptothorax subditivus (Wheeler) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Psyche 99(2-3):185-188, 1992.

This article at Hindawi Publishing: https://doi.org/10.1155/1992/39289
CEC's scan of this article: http://psyche.entclub.org/pdf/99/99-185.pdf, 888K
This landing page: http://psyche.entclub.org/99/99-185.html

The following unprocessed text is extracted automatically from the PDF file, and is likely to be both incomplete and full of errors. Please consult the PDF file for the complete article.

PECULIAR APPENDAGES IN MALE PUPAE OF
LEPTOTHORAX SUBDITIVUS (WHEELER)
(HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)
Technische Hochschule Darmstadt
Institut fiir Zoologie
Schnittspahnstr.3
D-6 100 Darmstadt, FRG
In April 199 1, two complete colonies of L. subditivus, including about 80 00, numerous larvae and one single queen each, were col- lected in a mountainous wood region near Monterrey (Nuevo Leon, Mexico) at an elevation of ca. 1600 m in dry wood sticks at the ground. The colonies were reared in the laboratory under condi- tions described in Buschinger (1974). After some weeks 00-, QQ- and (?(?- pupae were produced. The male pupae are remarkable because of their striking appendages.
Two translucent lateral projections, having their origin at the basis of the third femurs, arch forward around the wing buds. Their length is about 0,4 mm (Fig. 1). In addition, two blunt appendages, originating from the postpetiolar region, point forward, on both sides of the petiole (Fig. 1, 2). Below these projections, two short appendages on both sides of the petiole can be seen. Their length is about 0,15 mm (Fig. 2). The projections are translucent and filled with the pupal liquid. With higher magnification their surface appears roughly sculptured as the result of a partly thickened cuti- cle (Fig. 3). Histological studies have revealed that there are no cellular structures detectable inside any of these appendages. They seem to be part of the pupal cuticle (Billen, pers. comm.). In black pupae just prior to eclosion the appendages shrivel and finally van- ish. In the adults no trace of the peculiar projections is detectable. Neither female nor worker pupae possess similar appendages in any stage of development.
As far as I know, comparable appendages have not been detected before in ant pupae. Larval appendages have been found. Manuscript received 3 March 1992
185
Pu&e 99:IB-188 t 1992). http:llpsyche cnlclub orBf9WM85 hlml



================================================================================

186 Psyche [vo~. 99
Fig. 1. Male pupa of L. subditivus, showing the left hindlegs projection and the large petiole appendages. Wheeler (1 9 18) described unusual thoracic and abdominal projec- tions in larvae of Tetraponera (=Pachysima) latifrons and inter- preted them as exudatoria, producing attractants for the workers. Menozzi (1930) recorded similar structures in certain Cremato- gaster species.
The function of the L. subditivus 00-pupae projections is totally unknown. Recently, I detected similar structures in male pupae of another species from the same locality, L. cf. tenuisculptus. Colony observations did not reveal any unusual behavior of workers or queens towards the male pupae or their appendages. Since such



================================================================================

Schumann 187
Fig. 2. Lateral view of the petiole appendages. Fig. 3. With higher magnification the appendages (here the top of a hindlegs appendage) show a roughly sculptured surface.



================================================================================

Psyche
[Vol. 99
appendages have not been reported in male pupae of other Lep- tothorax, and the biology of most species in the subgenus Macromischa is very poorly known, it is possible that this trait may prove to be of taxonomic value in defining species groups within Leptothorax.
The male pupae of Leptothorax subditivus (Wheeler) possess striking leg and petiole appendages which might be helpful in resolving the difficult taxonomy of the Leptothorax complex. I want to thank C. Baroni Urbani for determining the species, J. Billen for first investigations on the material, and A. Buschinger and A. Maiazza for taking the photos.
BARONI URBANI, C.
1978. Material! per una revisione dei Leptothorax neotropicali appartenenti a1 sottogenere Macromischa Roger, n. comb. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Entomologica Basiliensia 3: 395-61 8.
BUSCHINGER, A.
1974. Experimente und Beobachtungen zur Grundung und Entwicklung neuer Sozietaten der sklavenhaltenden Ameise Harpugoxenus sublaevis (Nyl.). Insectes Sociaux 21: 38 1-406.
MENOZZI, C.
1930. Formiche della Somalia Italiana meridionale. Memorie della Societh Entomologica Italiana 9: 76-130.
WHEELER, W. M.
1918. A study of some ant larvae, with a consideration of the origin and meaning of the social habit among ants. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 57: 293-343.




================================================================================