Schematic representation, histology, and histochemistry of the metapleural gland <i>Mycetarotes parallelus</i> (Attini).

<p>Secretory cells (<b>sc</b>), nuclei (<b>n</b>), extracytoplasmic portion of canaliculi (<b>ec</b>), collecting chamber (<b>cc</b>) and the sieve plate (<b>p</b>), and reservoir (<b>r</b>) with opening (<b>og</b>), lined by epithelium (<b>ep</b>) and cuticular intima (<b>cut</b>) are shown. <b>A–B:</b> Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with hematoxylin and eosin (staining in nucleus and cytoplasm). Details of the secretory cells (<b>sc</b>) and nuclei (<b>n</b>), reservoir (<b>r</b>) lined by epithelium (<b>ep</b>) and cuticular intima (<b>cut</b>). Scale bar = 20 µm. <b>C–D:</b> Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with PAS/methyl green (for detecting polysaccharides and RNA). Details of the secretory cells (<b>sc</b>) and canaliculi intracytoplasmic (<b>arrow</b>). Scale bar = 20 µm. <b>E–F:</b> Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with bromophenol blue (for detecting total proteins). Details of the secretory cells (<b>sc</b>) and nuclei (<b>n</b>), extracytoplasmic canaliculi (<b>ec</b>), collecting chamber (<b>cc</b>), and reservoir (<b>r</b>), lined by a cuticular intima (<b>cut</b>). Note the presence of secretion (<b>sec</b>) containing proteins in the reservoir. Scale bar = 20 µm. <b>G–H:</b> Histological sections of the metapleural gland stained with Nile blue (for detecting acidic lipids). Details of the secretory cells (<b>sc</b>) and nuclei (<b>n</b>), and extracytoplasmic canaliculi (<b>arrow</b>). Scale bar = 20 µm.