The propodeum[a] is a term that can refer to unrelated structures in insects or in mollusks.
Insects
The first abdominal segment in Apocrita Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) is known as the propodeum. It is fused with the thorax to form the mesosoma. It is a single large sclerite, not subdivided, and bears a pair of spiracles. It is strongly constricted posteriorly to form the articulation of the petiole, and gives apocritans their distinctive shape. There may be a suture between the propodeum and the thorax, like in Symphyta[3] or not, and the presence or absence of such suture can aid in identifying specimens.
Mollusks
Propodeum is the anterior (frontal) part of the foot of a mollusk.[4]
Notes
- ^ zooanatomical jargon derived from Ancient Greek: πρωπόδιον "forefoot", also as 'propodeon'[1][2] or 'propodium'[attribution needed]; plurals 'propodea', 'propodia', or by appending -s to the singular
References
- ^ "propodeum". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Maggenti, Mary Ann (2010). Dictionary of Invertebrate Zoology. Lulu.com. p. 291. ISBN 9781609620011.
- ^ Saini, Malkiat; Dhillion, Surjit (September 1980). "Metapleural Transformations with Respect to Propodeum and Metapostnotum in Hymenoptera". The Florida Entomologist. 63 (3): 286–292. doi:10.2307/3494624. JSTOR 3494624. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "propodium". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
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