MORPHOLOGY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CONVOLUTED GLAND IN THE ANT DINOPONERA-AUSTRALIS (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

The morphology and fine structure of the convoluted gland inside the v enom reservoir of the ponerine ant Dinoponera australis (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) are described. The cells of the convoluted gland can be di vided into 3 major groups: (1) epithelial cells, (2) glandular cells w ith end apparatus secreting into the tubule inside the convoluted glan d, and (3) glandular cells with end apparatus secreting directly into the venom reservoir. A fourth group of cells belonging to the venom gl and of this ant is also discussed as (4) secretory cells of the free t ubule (not a part of the convoluted gland). The epithelial cells in th e convoluted gland do not have many organelles. Most cells of group 3 are characterized by numerous mitochondria. In some of these cells, th e mitochondria possess tubular cristae. Tubule cells of group 2 inside the convoluted gland, possess little rough endoplasmic reticulum when compared with cells of group 4, situated in the free tubule.