Ileum of the Cephalotes ants: A specialized structure to harbor symbionts microorganisms

We conducted comparative morphological studies of the tract digestive of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus and C. pusillus, aiming at describing the relationships among these three species, as well as the histochemical, enzymatic, and ultra-morphological differences of the wall and the contents of the digestive tract, therefore contributing for the understanding of the relationships between symbionts and their host.