1. Anatomical and histological structure of the digestive canal of the harvester termite, Anacanthotermes ochraceus.
- Author
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Al-Hawsah, B. A., Al-Robai, A. A., and Al-Fifi, Z.I.
- Subjects
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INSECT anatomy , *HISTOLOGY , *TERMITES , *SIZE of digestive organs , *ILEUM - Abstract
The present study has been concentrated on the anatomy and histology of the digestive canal of the Harvester termite, Anacanthotermes ochraceus. The result demonstrates that the digestive canal is longer than the whole of their body and has three small and symmetrical gastric caeca in anterior of the hind gut. The most striking modification takes place in the ileum, which is composed of a valve (small sac) controlling the entrance to the hind gut, a small tube extension forming the beginning of the hind gut and the third segment ileum pouch of the hind gut, where many symbiotic organisms are found. It seems that the lengths of the digestive system as well as the modification of the ileum are structural characteristics of the termite, enabling the insect to digest cellulose materials. The histology of the digestive canal sections indicate that the morphology and structure of the tissues are similar to those of other insects. However, the posterior of the gizzard projected into mid gut and their tissues disappears while that of the mid gut gradually appears. Well-developed pyloric valve controlling the movement of food from the mid gut into the ileum is found. The colon is a narrow and contorted tube with three cuticle covered folds and doubled ends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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