Archetype

Homology (Bi)Weekly: Dentiform Labral Setae

Red Hot Chilli Peppers? No, dentiform setae in the labrum of an Onychomyrmex doddi worker (Scanning Electron Micrograph, Roberto Keller/AMNH)

Just as the anterior margin of an ant’s cranium can sometimes be armed with rows of dentiform clypeal setae (that is, especially modified hairs), the lid that closes the insect’s mouth called labrum can bear identical structures. The image above shows two of these specialized teeth-like pieces (in red) flanking an empty broad socket where a third piece used to be inserted.

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Tags: Amblyoponinae, Apomyrma stygia, Gerontoformica, Labrum, Onychomyrmex, Probolomyrmex, Setae