Explosive backpacks in old termite workers
Language English Country United States Media print
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
22837520
DOI
10.1126/science.1219129
PII: 337/6093/436
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Aggression MeSH
- Behavior, Animal * MeSH
- Exocrine Glands anatomy & histology chemistry physiology MeSH
- Insect Proteins chemistry MeSH
- Isoptera anatomy & histology chemistry physiology MeSH
- Crystallization MeSH
- Copper analysis MeSH
- Salivary Glands metabolism MeSH
- Aging MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Insect Proteins MeSH
- Copper MeSH
By nature, defensive behavior is risky. In social insects, such behavior is more likely to occur in individuals whose potential for other tasks is diminished. We show that workers of the termite Neocapritermes taracua develop an exceptional two-component suicidal apparatus consisting of copper-containing protein crystals, stored in external pouches, and internal salivary glands. During aggressive encounters, their bodies rupture, and the crystals react with the salivary gland secretion to produce a toxic droplet. Both the amount of defensive substances and the readiness to explode increase with workers' age, as their food-collecting ability declines.
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