Preliminary observations on endocellular bacteria in the ovaries of Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabr.)(Isoptera, Kalotermitidae)

In electron microscopic studies on the oogenesis of neotenic queens of Kalotermesflavicollis, we found bacteria both in cytoplasm and nuclei of germ cells (oogonia and oocytes in alI developmental stages) and in follicle cells. Similar bacteria were occasionally seen in sheath cel1s of the ovary. The bacteria appear elongate, approximately, 150 nm and 45 nm wide. Their outside boundaries are the plasmalemma, an intermediate layer, and another double membrane, externally wrapped by a host cell membrane. Internally a fibrous matrix is found with ribosomes.