0000000000194825
AUTHOR
Jean Francois
Protein and amino acid composition of the tergal gland secretions ofBlatta orientalis andEurycotis floridana (Dictyoptera: Blattidae)
Summary Nymphs and adult females ofBlatta orientalis and nymphs ofEurycotis floridana produce a proteinaceous sticky secretion which accumulates on the last abdominal tergites. The proteic patterns do not differ between individuals of the same species. HPLC analyses show that all the common amino acids are found in both species, aspartic and glutamic acids representing 24 to 37% of the total amount of amino acids. InB. orientalis, glutamic acid is the more abundant amino acid whereas inE. floridana it is the aspartic acid. The secretion appears and accumulates rapidly on isolated insects. Behavioural assays revealed that these secretions have a defensive role.
Cephalic anatomy of Sinentomon erythranum Yin (Protura : Sinentomidae)
Abstract The structure of the head capsule, endoskeletal structures, oral folds, mouthparts, foregut, maxillary and labial glands, and the central nervous system of the Chinese proturan Sinentomon erythranum Yin (Protura : Sinentomidae) have been described. The most significant features are the unusual thickness of the cuticle with numerous serrated lines, the reduction of sutures and the absence of linea ventralis, the simplification of gnathal pieces, and the reduction of the musculature. A comparison with other Protura and Apterygota leads to some morphological and phylogenetical interpretations of the cephalic structures, in particular those concerning the entotrophy.