The Morphology and Histology of Hypopharyngeal and Mandibular gland of Five Stingless Bee Genera in Thailand

Authors

  • Tipwan Suppasat Program in Biology, School of Science, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
  • Narutchala Suwannakhon School of Science, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
  • Maneenut Runsri School of Science, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i3.10808

Keywords:

Head gland, Homotrigona, Lepidotrigona, Tetrigona, Tetragonilla, Tetragonula

Abstract

Stingless bees have an exocrine gland in the head, including hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands, which play essential roles in social insect existence. The research aimed to examine the morphology and histology of five stingless bee genera’s hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands (Homotrigona, Lepidotrigona, Tetrigona, Tetragonilla, and Tetragonula). The morphological properties of the hypopharyngeal gland in all genera are composed of several spherical acini cells connected in a long chain. Each acinus has small tubular secretory cells extending from the acinus to the axial duct. The glandular class III secretory cells found in tissue differ in structure and arrangement among the five genera. There is a remarkable diversity in the mandibular glands of stingless bees. The first type, the ectomandibular gland, features an assembled reservoir at the end of the mandible base for storing the aqueous solution in the tissue found in the glandular epithelial class III secretory cell in all genera. The second type, the intramandibular gland, is found in the secretory cells of the mandible space. A mixture of glandular classes I and III in the secretory cells is present in all genera. Moreover, the morphometrics of the hypopharyngeal gland acini and mandibular gland reservoir indicate that the morphological sizes in each gland are not dependent on the body size of stingless bees, especially the Lepidotrigona and Tetrigona. The exocrine glands of a stingless bee may demonstrate the relation of their behavior or activity in the colony, which is an important response to their social existence. Furthermore, physiological capabilities may be related to different body sizes and flowering plant resources in tropical regions, such as Thailand.

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Published

2025-07-02

How to Cite

Suppasat, T., Suwannakhon, N., & Runsri, M. (2025). The Morphology and Histology of Hypopharyngeal and Mandibular gland of Five Stingless Bee Genera in Thailand. Sociobiology, 72(3), e10808. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i3.10808

Issue

Vol. 72 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Research Article - Bees

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Copyright (c) 2025 Tipwan Suppasat, Narutchala Suwannakhon, Maneenut Runsri

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