Tools of the trade: MicroCT reveals native structure and functional morphology of organs that drive caterpillar-ant interactions.

ABSTRACT: Caterpillars of many lycaenid butterflies are tended by ants that offer protection from predators and parasitoids. Specialized structures such as glands, ciliary organs and chitinous ornamentation in caterpillars play key roles in the underlying tactile, acoustic, and chemical communication between caterpillars and ants. Although the ecological, evolutionary, and behavioural aspects of these interactions are well studied, the mechanisms (i.e., the functional morphology) that drive the specialized interactive organs are poorly characterized. We used advanced X-ray microtomography (MicroCT) to delineate internal, native morphology of specialized larval dew patches, nectar glands, and tactile ciliary organs that mediate interactions between Crematogaster ants and caterpillars of the obligate

SUBMITTER: Basu DN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7324400 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature