title: Contribution of the Malpighian tubules for the maintenance of symbiotic microorganisms in cephalotes ants.
abstract: Given the physiological importance of the Malpighian tubules to homeostasis in ants, this study aimed to characterize the enzymology, histology, histochemistry, and ultramorphology of the Malpighian tubules of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus, and C. pusillus, as a contribution for the understanding of this organ, as well as to examine its role in the maintenance of symbiontic microorganisms in the ileum of these ants.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Biologia, Rio Claro 13506-900, SP, Brazil. murillo@rc.unesp.br
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bution
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Zara
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000382:microbiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008317:Malpighian Tubules / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases