Anatomic studies on digestive, reproductive system of Tsaitermes ampliceps and comparing with Odontotermes formosanus
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Key Words: Tsaitermes ampliceps, Odontotermes formosanus, digestive system, reproductive system
Abstract: The woodfeeding, social termites Tsaitermes ampliceps (Wang & Li) and Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) have complex caste differentiation. The digestive and reproductive systems of different castes of the more primitive T. ampliceps were studied and compared to those of the more advanced O. formosanus. The results show that the digestive and reproductive systems of these species have a similar structure. The crop and paunch of workers are significantly longer and wider than those of other castes (P<0.05) and the midgut and colon of workers are significantly shorter than those of soldiers (P<0.01). The crop, proventriculus and paunch of workers in T. ampliceps is evidently longer and wider than in O. formosanus (P<0.01). The ratio of the diameter and length of the lateral oviduct and seminal duct of reproductive individuals in T. ampliceps was larger than in O. formosanus (P<0.01).