Gaster (insect anatomy)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
petiole and bulbous gaster. The abdomen technically includes the metasoma and the propodeum
which is fused to the thorax. No Entomologists uses these terms, but the internet community seems to

The gaster is the bulbous posterior portion of the metasoma found in hymenopterans of the suborder Apocrita (bees, wasps and ants). This begins with abdominal segment III on most ants, but some make a constricted postpetiole out of segment III, in which case the gaster begins with abdominal segment IV.[1][2]

Certain ants in the genus

Cataglyphis bicolor and Cataglyphis fortis, have a cubiform petiole that allows them to decrease their inertia (and therefore increase their speed) by raising their gaster into an upright position.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Ant Information". Insected.arizona.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  2. ^ "Notes from Underground-members". Desertants.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  3. PMID 22178639
    .