Figure 1.
Ten termite mandibles displaying Mn concentrated along the cutting edge.
More intense colour indicates higher concentration (Maximum of 2–3% as measured by SEM EDX). Mandibles are orientated with the teeth projecting towards the left of image.
Table 1.
Elemental content of Tumulitermes tumuli Malpighian tubule (SEM EDX), soil, nest material and food source (ICP-MS/OES) in ppm (mean (SE)).
Figure 2.
Composite PIXE image of a worker termite (Tumulitermes tumuli) showing distribution of 5 metals.
More intense colours indicate higher concentrations of metals. Iron appears concentrated around the antennae and lower abdomen; Zn and Ca in the Malpighian tubules with a weak accumulation over the entire body of Zn and Mn within Malpighian tubules and mandibles.
Figure 3.
A: Whole termite body PIXE scan. B: SEM scan of the Malpighian tubule.
Figure 4.
EDX maps of Malpighian tubules in association with the mid gut.
More intense colour indicates higher concentrations. Calcium, Mg, P and Zn are delineated within Malpighian tubules. Potassium is associated with fat bodies lying adjacent to the Malpighian tubules.
Figure 5.
Synchrotron XFM images of Malpighian tubule concretions.
Scan size 8.0×8.0 µm2, 80×80 pixels, 1 s dwell per pixel. A: Composite image map of Zn and Ca (red and green). B: Zn map (red), C: Ca map (green). Image A demonstrates that high concentrations of Zn and Ca occur in mutually exclusive concretions.
Figure 6.
SEM image of a stored food sphere.
Sphere consists of masticated grass, mulga leaves and other surface material.