THE STING BULB GLAND IN MYRMECIA AND NOTHOMYRMECIA (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE) - A NEW EXOCRINE GLAND IN ANTS

A new exocrine gland has been discovered within the sting of the endemic Australian ants of the genera Myrmecia and Nothomyrmecia (Hymenoptera : Formicidae). It consists of approximately 20 secretory cells with their accompanying duct cells, located between the ducts of the venom and Dufour glands in the proximal part of ths sting bulb, hence my suggestion to designate it as the sting bulb gland. Ultrastructural examination reveals the development of both granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the glandular cells, which possibly may indicate the elaboration of a rather complex secretion. Although the function of the gland remains unknown, its exclusive presence in these ants provides another argument for a closer phylogenetic relationship between both genera than is reflected by their actual classification. © 1990.