Posters
Functional Design of Mandibular Musculoskeletal System in Termites
Location
Hall Memorial Ballroom
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Start Date
4-4-2018 12:00 PM
Department
Biology
Abstract
Functional Design of Mandibular Musculoskeletal System in Termites
Samuel Vickers, Erica Morris, & Takashi Maie, Ph.D.
Abstract
The Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is commonly found in warm and humid environments and widely distributed in southeastern regions of the United States. Wood materials and moisture within wood fibers provide water and cellulose to R. flavipes, however, little is known about musculoskeletal morphology of its mouthparts and how the mandibles are used. Variation in morphology of termites indicates specific caste and social behavior within the community, and may reflect how they use their mandibles. Of the three primary castes, worker termites are the only caste capable of wood fiber mastication. The mandibles of the worker termite can be distinguished by their size in comparison to those of the soldier termite. In this study, we investigated how the mandibles and mandibular muscles (i.e., adductors and abductors) of R. flavipes were configured within the exoskeleton of the cranium using haematoxylin and eosin staining technique and the light microscopy. We discuss the functional implication of our findings regarding the mandibular biomechanics of termites.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Takashi Maie, Ph.D.
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Functional Design of Mandibular Musculoskeletal System in Termites
Hall Memorial Ballroom
Functional Design of Mandibular Musculoskeletal System in Termites
Samuel Vickers, Erica Morris, & Takashi Maie, Ph.D.
Abstract
The Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is commonly found in warm and humid environments and widely distributed in southeastern regions of the United States. Wood materials and moisture within wood fibers provide water and cellulose to R. flavipes, however, little is known about musculoskeletal morphology of its mouthparts and how the mandibles are used. Variation in morphology of termites indicates specific caste and social behavior within the community, and may reflect how they use their mandibles. Of the three primary castes, worker termites are the only caste capable of wood fiber mastication. The mandibles of the worker termite can be distinguished by their size in comparison to those of the soldier termite. In this study, we investigated how the mandibles and mandibular muscles (i.e., adductors and abductors) of R. flavipes were configured within the exoskeleton of the cranium using haematoxylin and eosin staining technique and the light microscopy. We discuss the functional implication of our findings regarding the mandibular biomechanics of termites.