Morphology of the digestive tube of Macuxitermes and its phylogenetic significance (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)
Abstract
The gross morphology of digestive tube of Macuxitermes triceratops is described and illustrated. The gut of this species is very similar to those of Embiratermes and Ibitermes, and does not show any obvious autapomorphic character. The phylogenetic relations of this genus are discussed based on the available evidence, and it is concluded that it is probably the sister group of Armitermes + Curvitermes + Cyrilliotermes.
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- The enteric valve from a worker was mounted in glycerin and photographed under an optical microscope. All comparisons with other genera of Syntermitinae were based on data from taxonomic revisions or original descriptions: Acangaobitermes (Rocha et al. 2011), Armitermes (Rocha et al. 2012 ), Cahuallitermes (Constantino 1994), Cyrilliotermes (Carvalho & Constantino 2012), Curvitermes (Carvalho & Constantino 2011), Labiotermes (Constantino et al. 2006), Macuxitermes (Cancello & Bandeira 1992; Constantino 1997), Noirotitermes (Cancello & Myles 2000 ), Paracurvitermes (Constantino & Carvalho 2011) and Syntermes (Constantino 1995); and examination of material in the MZUSP collection, which has a good representation of the group's diversity, with 96 of the 99 described species of Syntermitinae. It is possible to infer a generalized gut pattern for the species included in each genus of Syntermitinae.
[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: The morphology of the digestive tube of the five species of Procornitermes Emerson (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae) is compared, together with illustrations of the digestive tube in situ and some parts after dissection, including the insertion of the Malpighian tubules and the enteric valve armature. Analysis of these characters revealed three distinct patterns among the species of Procornitermes: the first, termed the “striatus pattern”, is shared by P. striatus, P. lespesii and P. romani; the second refers only to P. araujoi; and the third is represented by P. triacifer. A comparison with all other genera of Syntermitinae is provided, which forms the basis to maintain the status of Procornitermes at this time, despite the clear heterogeneity of the digestive tubes among the species. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)- Soldiers of Armitermes have a rounded head, with a narrower and more elongate nasus, and slender mandibles. The gut morphology of Paracurvitermes is most similar to those of Macuxitermes and Noirotitermes, including the position and shape of the enteric valve and its armature (Constantino 1997, Cancello & Myles 2000). The mixed segment of Noirotitermes has a narrower mesenteric tongue and the proximal part of the Malpighian tubules is dilated, forming ampulae.
[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Paracurvitermes, a new monotypic termite genus is described to accomodate Armitermes manni Snyder 1926. Soldiers are monomorphic and have a conical nasus with broad tip and elongate, curved mandibles. The imagoworker mandibles have very large apical teeth and reduced marginal teeth. The digestive tube of P. manni is most similar to those of Macuxitermes and Noirotitermes. Soldiers, workers and imagoes are redescribed and figured. Curvitermesprojectidens Mathews 1977 is a synonym of P. manni. The diagnosis of Syntermitinae is reviewed.
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