Fig. 2: Micro-CT and histological analysis of the neuropteran venom system and digestive tract.
From: Divergent venom effectors correlate with ecological niche in neuropteran predators
a–d Reconstructions of the venom glands and digestive tract of Euroleon nostras. e–h Reconstructions of the venom glands and digestive tract of Chrysoperla carnea. In both species, the food canal (fc) leads from the tips of the mouthparts into the head and opens into a branched pre-oral chamber (pc) that narrows posteriorly to form the pharynx (ph) and esophagus (es). The medial venom gland (mvg) and lateral venom gland (lvg) are surrounded by the pre-oral chamber at the base of the maxillae and are separated by the intrinsic muscle of the maxillary stylet (imms). The cephalic gland (cg) opens at the base of the food canal and extends posteriorly into the head.
