Neuropile organization in the brain of Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) during the post-embryonic development

Abstract

Neuropile is the region of the central nervous system where the synapses and neurons branching occur. During the development of an holometabolous insect can occurs break of the neurons fibers forming new axon and dendrites and their distribution in brain neuropile is organized so as to reflect specific nervous functions of adult insects. The components of this organization were observed and discussed in this study in the ant Acromyrmex octospinosus, evidencing similar features to those described for A. subterraneus subterraneus, among other insects for the which ones this information is available.