Figure 4. The transition of MdMN size during the course of soldier differentiation in H. sjodtedti (n = 5 for each caste).

The areas of MdMN somata were measured and averaged. The MdMNs were already enlarged before the presoldier molt, initially decreasing in size, before attaining the maximum size after differentiation. The different letters on the error bars indicate significant differences among stages/castes (one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer test, p<0.05).