Termites (Insecta, Isoptera) from the lower Japurá River, Amazonas State, Brazil
Abstract
Seventy species of termites were collected in primary forests on the lower Japurá River, Amazonas State, Brazil. Seven new species, described. The imago of Cavitermes parvicavus is described for the first time. Drawings of the soldiers' head, alates' head and mandibles, worker's mandibles and enteric valve armature are presented for the new species and for those without adequate illustrations in the literature.
TERMITES (ISOPTERA) FROM THE LOWER
JAPURÁ RIVER, AMAZONAS STATE, BRAZIL
R. Constantino1
ABSTRACT –Seventy species of termites were collected in primary forests
on the lower Japurá River, Amazonas State, Brazil. Seven new species,
Orthognathotermes humilis, sp.n., Spinitermes longiceps, sp.n., Armitermes
gnomus, sp.n., Araujotermes nanus, sp.n., Embiratermes ignotus, sp.n.,
Subulitermes constricticeps, sp. n., and Syntermes robustus, sp.n., are
described. The imago of Cavitermes parvicavus is described for the first
time. Drawings of the soldiers’ head, alates’ head and mandibles, worker’s
mandibles and enteric valve armature are presented for the new species and
for those without adequate illustrations in the literature.
KEY WORDS – Termites, Isoptera, Amazonia, Taxonomy.
RESUMO –Setenta espécies de cupins foram coletadas em florestas
primárias do baixo rio Japurá, Amazonas, Brasil. Sete espécies novas,
Orthognathotermes humilis, sp.n., Spinitermes longiceps, sp.n., Armitermes
gnomus, sp.n., Araujotermes nanus, sp.n., Embiratermes ignotus, sp.n.,
Subulitermes constricticeps, sp. n. e Syntermes robustus, sp.n., são descritas.
O imago de Cavitermes parvicavus é descrito pela primeira vez. São
apresentados desenhos da cabeça dos soldados, da cabeça e das mandíbulas
do alado e das mandíbulas e valvula entérica das espécies novas e daquelas
para as quais não haviam ilustrações adequadas na literatura.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE – Cupins, Isoptera, Amazonia, Taxonomia.
1SCT/CNPq/Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Depto. de Zoologia. Caixa Postal 399, 66040, Belém,
PA, Brasil.
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
INTRODUCTION
The Amazon forest, occupying an area of approximately six million km2,
is the largest extension of tropical forest in the world. The first reliable informa-
tion on Amazonian termites seems to be the observations of Bates (1854), in part
of his notes translated into German and published by Hagen (1858). Holmgren
(1906) collected termites in Bolivia and Peru as a member of the Nordenskiöldi
Expedition and described 26 new species, with biological notes and information
on nest architecture. Emerson (1925) studied the termites of Kartabo, Guyana,
and described 51 new species in his classic work. The termites collected by the
Mulford Biological Exploration of the Amazon Basin in Bolivia and Brazil in
1921-1922 were studied by Snyder (1926), who listed 77 species, 36 described
as new. Mathews (1977) studied the termites of Mato Grosso State, Brazil, as
a member of the Xavantina-Cachimbo Expedition, in a transition zone between
the Amazon forest and the savannas (“cerrado”) of Central Brazil. The above
mentioned studies are mainly taxonomic and only Mathews (1977) provides
ecological information. Most of the collections were made in peripheral areas
of the Amazon Basin.
The following taxonomic work is the result of the study of the material I
collected in the lower Japurá River in September and October, 1988. It is es-
sentially a faunal work, but an ecological analysis is to be published in another
paper. I hope it will be useful for further termite studies, given the paucity of
collections and taxonomic studies in this region. Seventy species of 33 genera
were collected, and seven are described as new. Four other new species and one
new genus were previously described from the material collected (Constantino,
1990a, b; 1991).
METHODS
The study area is located on low Japurá River, 10 Km downstream from
the town of Maraã (01°51’S 65°27’S) (Figure 1). Termites were collected by me
in and around two plots of 50 m X 50 m, one on primary “terra firme” forest on
left margin of the river and one on primary swamp forest (“várzea”) on Jaraqui
Island. All material collected was deposited in the collection of the Museu Para-
ense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) and some duplicates were deposited in the collec-
tion of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP).
Camera-lucida drawings were made with a stereomicroscope using mag-
nifications from 10 X to 80 X, according to the size of the species. Mandibles,
enteric valve armatures and small-sized species were mounted on slides using
glycerin or Hoyer’s medium and drawn with a microscope. Measurements were
taken with an ocular micrometer, as described by Roonwal (1969). The termi-
nology for mandibles and digestive tube used in this paper is the same used
by Fontes (1987a, b). Terms used for chaetotaxy are comparative. Bristles are
long and hard, with well-marked bases. Hairs are shorter and more slender than
bristles. Microscopic hairs are visible only under high magnifications, gener-
ally more than 60 X. Colors are described using the scheme proposed by Sands
(1965).
The material studied is listed by catalog number of the termite lots, each
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Termites from the Japurá River
Figure 1 – Location of the study area.
corresponding to one sample, in the collections of MPEG and MZSP. All the
lots contains soldiers and workers, except the Apicotermitinae. All Neotropical
species of this subfamily lack a soldier caste. The presence of alates, queen or
king is indicated in parentheses.
Araujo (1977) and Fontes (1983) provide a complete bibliographic list of
taxonomic descriptions.
FAMILY RHINOTERMITIDAE
Coptotermes testaceus (L.) 1785
Material – MPEG 2811, 2818, 2857, 2891, 2906, 2916, 2921, 2985, MZSP
9234.
Biology – Collected in sound wood. This species sometimes builds earthen, clay-
ish structures on tree trunks, but not true nests.
Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) 1858
(Figures 2 & 3)
Material – MPEG 2814, 2817, 2839, 2851, 2867, 2868, 2869, 2871, 2894, 2917,
2951, 2952, 2994, MZSP 9229.
Biology – This species lives in wood, frequently in rotten wood and in the bark
of dead trunks. Sometimes it was found in nests built by other species.
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Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Dolichorhinotermes japuraensis Constantino 1990a
Material – MPEG 2853 (holotype and paratypes).
Biology – Collected in rotten wood on the ground. Armitermes gnomus, sp.n.,
Atlantitermes raripilus and Triangularitermes triangulariceps were found in the
same piece of wood.
Dolichorhinotermes longilabius (Emerson) 1925
(Figures 6, 9 & 10)
Material – MPEG 2831.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood on the ground.
Rhinotermes hispidus Emerson 1925
(Figures 5 & 8)
Material – MPEG 2983.
Biology – Collected in wet wood on the ground.
Rhinotermes marginalis (L.) 1758
(Figures 4 & 7)
Material – MPEG 2785, 2792.
Biology – Collected in sound wood in swamp forest. This species seems to be
more abundant in this habitat and rare in the “terra firme” forest.
FAMILY TERMITIDAE
SUBFAMILY APICOTERMITINAE
Anoplotermes banksi Emerson 1925
(Figure 13)
Material – MPEG 2873 (queen), 2874, 2875, 2915, 2970 (queen), 3004 (queen).
Biology – This species builds a small earthen arboreal nest, generally less than
one meter above ground.
Anoplotermes spp.
Remarks – Nine other species of Anoplotermes sensu lato were collected, most
of them without imagoes. This group needs a complete taxonomic revision, and
many new genera and species are yet to be described from the Neotropical Re-
gion. In the absence of imagoes, identification to species level is very difficult.
Grigiotermes sp.
A single colony (MPEG 2975) was found in an abandoned earthen termi-
tarium at the base of a tree. This is probably a new species, but in the
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Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 2-6 – 2. Heterotermes tenuis, major soldier; 3. H. tenuis, minor soldier; 4. Rhinotermes
marginalis, minor soldier; 5. R. hispidus, minor soldier; 6. Dolichorhinotermes longilabius, minor
soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm.
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Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 7-11 – 7. Rhinotermes marginalis, major soldier; 8. R. hispidus, major soldier; 9.
Dolichorhinotermes longilabius, major soldier; 10. D. longilabius, mandibles of the major soldier;
11. Microcerotermes strunkii, soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm.
194
Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 12-13 – 12. Ruptitermes arboreus, imago; 13. Anoplotermes banksi, imago. Scales = 0.5
mm.
195
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
absence of imagoes it was not possible to confirm. The enteric valve armature
was examined and is identical to that of G. metoecus, the type-species of the
genus.
Ruptitermes arboreus (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 12)
Material – MPEG 2956 (queen)
Biology – This species builds arboreal carton nests of medium size. The well
sclerotized and fast-moving workers of this species resemble ants and actively
bite the hand of the collector. It is apparently rare, and only one nest was found
in Maraã though it was conspicuous and easily located.
Ruptitermes spp.
Two other unidentified species of Ruptitermes were collected without ima-
goes (MPEG2959, 2972, and 3001). See notes under Anoplotermes spp.
SUBFAMILY TERMITINAE
Cavitermes parvicavus Mathews 1977
(Figures 17-19)
Material – MPEG 2805 (alates), MZSP 9256 (alates).
Imago – Head rounded with top straight in profile. Eyes medium-sized; distance
to lower margin of head approximately equal to the length of ocellus. Distance
eye to ocellus approximately equal to the length of ocellus. Fontanelle small,
ellipsoid. Clypeus with median line visible. Labrum rounded. Antennae with
15 segments, first longer than fourth, fourth longer than second, second longer
than fifth, third the smallest one. Pronotum with sides rounded, approximately
the same width of head. Meso and metanotum with a incision in the middle of
posterior margin. Head covered with short hairs and with few bristles. Clypeus
with two bristles in the middle and two bristles on anterior margin. Labrum with
eight bristles. Postmentum with numerous bristles. Pronotum, mesonotum and
metanotum with numerous short hairs. Legs with numerous bristles. Tibial spurs
3:3:2. Tergites and sternites densely covered with hairs. Sternites with a row of
bristles on posterior margin. Head capsule, pronotum and tergites sepia brown.
Fontanelle hyaline. Clypeus and sternites brown. Legs and wings pale brown.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five alates: length of head to lateral base
of mandibles 1.11-1.18; maximum width of head with eyes 1.45-1.52; height of
head excluding postmentum 0.64; maximum diameter of eye 0.45; maximum
length of pronotum 0.86-0.95; maximum width of pronotum 1.41-1.48; length
of hind tibia 1.55-1.59.
Comparisons –C. parmae is smaller, has much larger ocellus and fontanelle
narrower and elongated. C. tuberosus is much smaller, has proportionally smaller
fontanelle and shorter pronotum.
Biology – Collected in an abandoned arboreal nest. Nasutitermes banksi and
Termes medioculatus were found in the same nest.
Remarks – The imago described by Mathews (1977:119) was arbitrarily placed
under this name since it was collected separately from the soldiers. As the
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Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 14-16 – 14. Cylindrotermes flangiatus, soldier; 15. C. parvignathus, soldier; 16. Cavitermes
tuberosus, soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm.
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Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
holotype of this species is a soldier, the true imago of C. parvicavus is described
here for the first time.
Cavitermes tuberosus (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 16)
Material – MPEG 2789, 2795, 2957, 2980.
Biology – Collected in abandoned nests, the majority arboreal, built by several
species.
Cylindrotermes flangiatus Mathews 1977
(Figure 14)
Material – MPEG 2812 (alates), 2816, 2859, 2876 (alates), 2878, MZSP 9254.
Biology – This species was found in rotten wood and under the bark of dead
trees, only in the “terra firme” forest.
Cylindrotermes parvignathus Emerson 1949
(Figure 15)
Material – MPEG 2800, 2837, 2850, 2861, 2893, 2899, 2904, 2940 (alates),
MZSP 9255.
Biology – Same as C. flangiatus.
Inquilinitermes inquilinus (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 27)
Material – MPEG 2920 (alates), 2949 (alates), MZSP 9252 (alates).
Biology – This species was collected only in the arboreal nests built by Con-
strictotermes cavifrons. It occupies the base of the nest, where the cells are filled
with dark organic material.
Microcerotermes strunkii (Sorensen) 1884
(Figure 11)
Material – MPEG 2845 (alates), 2923, 2939, 2978, 2997, MZSP 9246.
Biology – This species build small to medium-sized arboreal carton nests with a
rugose surface and feeds on sound wood.
Remarks – This material agrees in detail with the description of Mathews (1977)
and with the lot MZSP 3609 from Mato Grosso State determined by Emerson as
M. strunkii. I have compared it also with lots MZSP 2794 and 3609 determined
by Emerson as M. arboreus and they are conspicuously different, specially the
imagoes. Although the type-locality of M. strunkii is in Argentina, this seems to
be a common species in Amazonian forests.
Neocapritermes braziliensis (Snyder) 1926
Material – MPEG 2848, 2849, 2852, 2877, 2886 (alates), 2896, 2942, 2944,
2988 (alates), MZSP 9245.
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Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 17-19 – Cavitermes parvicavus: 17. imago; 18. soldier; 19. imago mandibles. Scales = 0.5
mm
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Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Biology – This species builds arboreal or epigeal nests, frequently at the base of
trees. The nests are dark, similar to those built by Termes spp. This species was
found only in the “terra firme” forest.
Orthognathotermes humilis, sp.n.
(Figures 28-30)
Material – MPEG 2825 (holotype soldier, paratypes soldiers and workers), MZSP
9249 (paratypes soldiers and workers).
Imago – Unknown.
Soldier – Head elongated with sides straight, converging toward front. Top of
head in profile with a prominence between antennal lobes and a depression be-
hind the prominence. Labrum three-lobed. Head with scattered hairs and few
short bristles. Labrum with 12 bristles. Pronotum covered with hairs and with
bristles on margins. Tergites and sternites with numerous hairs on surface and a
few short bristles on posterior margin. Tibiae with spines on the distal inner mar-
gin. Tibial spurs 3:2:2. Antennae with 15 segments, first longer than fifth, fourth
and fifth of equal length, fourth longer than second, third the smallest one. Head
capsule orange yellow to orange. Antennae orange. Pronotum and legs yellow.
Abdomen yellowish, transparent.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five soldiers: length of head to lateral
base of mandible 3.04-3.26; maximum width of head 1.96-2.04; height of head
excluding postmentum 1.43-1.48; maximum length of mandible 2.65-2.70; max-
imum width of postmentum 0.57-0.61; maximum width of pronotum 1.22-1.26;
length of hind tibia 1.52-1.57.
Worker – Head rounded, abdomen voluminous. Antennae with 14 segments.
Head with scattered long bristles. Labrum with 10 bristles. Chaetotaxy of legs
and abdomen similar to that of soldier. Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Head, pronotum and
legs yellowish white; abdomen yellowish, transparent. Mandibles as in Fig. 30.
Enteric valve armature well sclerotized, 3 swellings of 1st order alternating with
3 swellings of 2nd order. Swellings of 1st order with bulbous, finger-like pro-
cesses extending toward the lumen of the valve, covered with dense short spines.
Swellings of 2nd order with smaller spines, only in their basal part (Fig. 29).
Comparisons –O. aduncus is smaller, has the head with sides parallel, and the
labrum weakly three-lobed. O. giberorum has a deep furrow down the back of
the head. O. brevipilosus has dense short hairs on head. O. macrocephalus lacks
the prominence between antennal lobes. O. orthognathus is larger and the sides
of the head are parallel. O. wheeleri is smaller, and the head is proportionally
shorter.
Biology – The single colony was collected in soil on the roots of a fallen tree and
is probably subterranean.
Planicapritermes planiceps (Emerson) 1925
Material – MPEG 2838, 2862, 2898.
Biology – This species has specialized habits, living in and under the bark of
dead wood. Soldiers and workers of P. planiceps are dorso-ventrally flattened as
an adaptation to this particular habit.
200
Termites from the Japurá River
Spinitermes longiceps, sp.n.
(Figures 20-24)
Material – MPEG 2835 (holotype soldier and paratypes soldiers, alates and
workers), MZSP 9248 (paratypes soldiers, alates and workers).
Imago – Head capsule rounded. Eyes large, with small distance to lower mar-
gin of head. Ocellus close to eyes. Fontanelle small, elongated. Labrum short,
rounded. Mandibles as in Fig. 23. Antennae with 15 segments, first longer than
fourth, fifth equal fourth, fifth longer than second, third the smallest one. Prono-
tum trapezium-shaped with sides convex, a little narrower than head. Meso and
metanotum with a deep incision on posterior margin. Head densely covered
with short hairs and a few bristles. Labrum with numerous bristles. Pronotum,
mesonotum and metanotum with numerous hairs. Legs with hairs and bristles.
Tibiae with spines on inner margin. Tibial spurs 3:3:2, but third spur only a little
larger than spines. Tergites and sternites with many hairs on surface. Sternites
with a row of bristles on posterior margin. Head capsule brown. Fontanelle hya-
line. Clypeus pale brown. Pronotum a little paler than head, with a T-shaped light
mark near anterior margin. Legs yellow-brown. Tergites pale brown. Sternites a
little paler than tergites. Wings pale brown.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five alates: length of head to lateral base
of mandibles 0.73-0.77; maximum width of head with eyes 0.95-1.00; height of
head excluding postmentum 0.48-0.50; maximum diameter of eye 0.39; max-
imum length of pronotum 0.55-0.57; maximum width of pronotum 0.86-0.91;
length of hind tibia 1.25-1.30.
Soldier – Head capsule elongate; sides straight and almost parallel. Frontal pro-
jection (or “cap”) small, narrow at tip; lateral points small. Labrum wide with
two lateral, hyaline points. Antennae with 14 segments, first longer than second,
fifth equal second, fifth longer than third, second the smallest one. Head capsule
with few scattered bristles. Frontal projection with many bristles directed for-
ward. Labrum with numerous bristles. Pronotum with bristles on margins and
hairs on surface. Meso and metanotum with bristles on posterior margin and
hairs on surface. Legs with median and long bristles. Tibiae with spines on in-
ner margin. Tibial spurs 3:3:2. Tergites and sternites with numerous hairs on
surface. Sternites with a row of bristles on posterior margin. Head ferruginous
orange. Pronotum and legs yellow. Abdomen yellowish, transparent.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five soldiers: length of head to lateral
base of mandible 1.86-2.00; maximum width of head 1.11-1.14; height of head
excluding postmentum 0.91-0.98; maximum length of mandible 1.32-1.39; max-
imum width of postmentum 0.41-0.45; maximum width of pronotum 0.66-0.68;
length of hind tibia 0.82-0.89.
Worker – Mandibles as in Fig. 22. Enteric valve armature with scattered small
spines and a few large ones. (Fig. 24).
Comparisons – The soldiers of all other species known of this genus have the
head proportionally shorter with a larger projection on top. The alate of S. trispinosus
is darker, has eyes, ocelli and fontanelle proportionally smaller, and the prono-
tum proportionally wider. The alate of S. brevicornutus has smaller eyes and
wider pronotum. Both alates and soldiers of the other species have tibial spurs
2:3:2.
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Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 20-24 – Spinitermes longiceps, sp.n.: 20. alate; 21. soldier; 21a. postmentum of soldier; 22.
worker mandibles; 23. imago mandibles; 24. enteric valve armature. Scales = 0.5 mm for heads and
0.1 mm for mandibles and enteric valve.
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Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 25-27 – 25. Termes hispaniolae, soldier; 26. T. medioculatus, soldier; 27. Inquilinitermes
inquilinus, soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm.
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Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 28-30 – Orthognathotermes humilis, sp.n.: 28. soldier; 29. enteric valve armature; 30. worker
mandibles. Scales = 0.5 mm for heads and 0.1 mm for mandibles and enteric valve.
204
Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 31-32 – Syntermes robustus, sp.n.: 31. soldier; 32. worker mandibles. Scales = 0.5 mm for
head and 0.1 mm for mandibles.
205
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 33-34 – Syntermes robustus, sp.n.: 33. imago; 34. imago mandibles. Scales = 0.5 mm for
head and 0.1 mm for mandibles.
Biology – Collected in an abandoned epigeal nest in “terra firme” forest.
Termes hispaniolae (Banks) 1918
(Figure 25)
Remarks – This identification is tentative since the full range of variation possi-
ble for this species is not known, and there are a number of very closely related
species in this genus.
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Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 35-38 – 35. Embiratermes neotenicus, soldier; 36. Embiratermes ignotus, sp.n., soldier; 37.
E. ignotus, soldier mandibles; 38. E. ingnotus, worker mandibles. Scales = 0.5 mm for heads and 0.1
mm for mandibles.
207
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Material – MPEG 2787, 2926, 2935, 2936, MZSP 9214, 9220.
Biology – This species builds a dark colored arboreal nest and was found only in
the swamp forest. It feeds on rotten wood.
Termes medioculatus Emerson 1925
(Figure 26)
Material – MPEG 2807, 2847, 2866, 2927, 2955, 2960, 2965, 2976, MZSP
9218.
Biology – This species was collected in abandoned termitaria built by other
species and in wood.
Termes sp.
A single sample (MPEG 2836) of another small-sized and apparently new
species of Termes was collected in “terra firme” forest.
SUBFAMILY NASUTITERMITINAE
Agnathotermes crassinasus Constantino 1990b
Material – MPEG 2810, 2865 (holotype and paratypes).
Araujotermes nanus, sp. n.
(Figures 56-60)
Material – MPEG 2945 (Holotype soldier, paratypes soldiers, alates and work-
ers), MZSP 9224 (paratypes soldiers, alates and workers).
Imago – Head capsule elongated. Eyes very large, touching the bottom line of
head. Ocelli close to eyes. Fontanelle narrow and elongate, narrow in the mid-
dle. Labrum rounded. Mandibles as in Fig. 59. Antennae with 14 segments,
first longer than second, second longer than fifth, fifth longer than fourth, fourth
equal third. Pronotum trapezium-shaped, with sides straight. Meso and metan-
otum with incision on posterior margin, forming an obtuse angle. Head capsule
densely covered with hairs and with two bristles on posterior part. Clypeus with
dense hairs and two bristles. Labrum with many hairs and two bristles in the
middle. Pronotum covered with numerous hairs and a few bristles on margins.
Meso and metanotum covered with numerous hairs. Legs with short and long
bristles. Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Tergites and sternites with numerous hairs oriented
backward. Sternites with a row of bristles on posterior margin oriented perpen-
dicularly. Head capsule brown; clypeus a little paler. Pronotum, legs, sternites
and tergites pale brown.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five alates: length of head to lateral base
of mandibles 0.47-0.48; maximum width of head with eyes 0.57-0.59; height of
head excluding postmentum 0.29-0.31; maximum diameter of eye 0.25; maxi-
mum length of pronotum 0.30; maximum width of pronotum 0.40-0.46; length
of hind tibia 0.65-0.66.
Soldier – Head capsule oval; top straight in profile. Nasus cylindrical, straight.
Mandibles vestigial without points. Antennae with 11 segments, first longer than
fifth, fifth longer than second, second longer than fourth, third the smallest one.
Head capsule with numerous short to long bristles. Nasus with numerous hairs,
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Termites from the Japurá River
becoming longer toward apex. Labrum with few bristles. Postmentum with few
bristles on anterior margin. Pronotum with two bristles on anterior margin and
hairs on posterior margin. Meso and metanotum with two bristles on posterior
margin. Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Tergites and sternites with numerous hairs on sur-
face and a row of bristles on posterior margin. Head yellow. Nasus orange to
ferruginous orange. Pronotum, legs and abdomen yellowish, transparent.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five soldiers: length of head with nasus
0.82-0.89; length of nasus 0.28-0.33; maximum width of head 0.41-0.43; height
of head excluding postmentum 0.30-0.33; maximum width of pronotum 0.23-
0.27; length of hind tibia 0.40-0.41.
Worker – Mandibles as in Fig. 60. Enteric valve armature weakly sclerotized, 3
swellings of 1st order alternating with 3 swellings of 2nd order. All swellings
with scattered small spines (Fig. 58).
Comparisons – The soldier of A. parvellus is larger, has the head proportionally
wider with more numerous longer bristles and antennae with 12 segments. A.
caissara is larger, the nasus is wider at base and has antennae with 12 segments.
A. zeteki is larger, the nasus is wider at base, the top of head is almost straight in
profile and the line between labrum and base of nasus is more concave in profile.
The alates of A. parvellus and A. caissara are larger, with proportionally smaller
eyes. The alate of A. zeteki is unknown.
Biology – Collected in an abandoned arboreal nest in the “terra firme” forest.
Araujotermes parvellus (Silvestri) 1923
(Figure 54)
Material – MPEG 2860, 2909, 2914, 2941, 2943, 2998, MZSP 9258.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood.
Armitermes holmgreni Snyder 1926
Material – MPEG 2832 (king and queen), 2834 (queen), 2880 (alates), 2954,
2990.
Biology – This species builds an earthen arboreal nest with many tube-like ex-
tensions resembling stalagmites on the surface, one or two meters above ground
level.
Armitermes gnomus, sp.n.
(Figures 39-43)
Material – MPEG 2903 (holotype soldier, paratypes soldiers, alates and work-
ers); MPEG 2841 (paratypes soldiers and workers), 2854 (paratypes soldiers
and workers), 2858 (paratypes soldiers and workers), MZSP 9247 (paratypes
soldiers, alates, and workers).
Imago – Head capsule rounded. Eyes large and rounded. Distance eye-ocellus
less than width of ocellus. Fontanelle oval, medium-sized. Clypeus with weak
median line. Labrum elongate. Mandibles as in Fig. 41. Antennae with 14 seg-
ments, first longer than second, second longer than fifth, fifth longer than fourth,
third the smallest one. Pronotum trapezoid and short. Mesonotum with deep
incision on posterior margin. Metanotum with shallow incision on posterior
209
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 39-43 – Armitermes gnomus, sp.n.: 39. soldier; 40. alate; 41. alate mandibles; 42. worker
mandibles; 43. enteric valve armature. Scales = 0.5 mm for heads and 0.1 mm for mandibles and
enteric valve.
210
Termites from the Japurá River
margin. Head with few scattered bristles. Clypeus with two long bristles in the
middle and two short ones on anterior margin. Labrum with eight bristles. Prono-
tum with bristles on margins and scattered short bristles on surface. Meso and
metanotum without bristles. Legs with many bristles. Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Tergites
and sternites covered with hairs. Sternites with a row of bristles on posterior mar-
gin. Head and clypeus sepia brown; fontanelle hyaline. Pronotum brown. Legs
yellow. Tergites brown; sternites pale brown. Wings pale brown.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five alates: length of head to lateral base
of mandibles 0.61-0.64; maximum width of head with eyes 0.86-0.89; height of
head excluding postmentum 0.41-0.43; maximum diameter of eye 0.30; max-
imum length of pronotum 0.36-0.37; maximum width of pronotum 0.64-0.68;
length of hind tibia 0.89-0.98.
Soldier – Head capsule rounded; top convex in profile. Nasus conical, long
and straight, with wide opening. Labrum short, not visible from dorsal view.
Mandibles long and slender, strongly curved, shorter than nasus. Each mandible
with one marginal tooth near base. Tooth of left mandible larger than that of right
mandible. Inner margins between apex and teeth with minute serrations. Anten-
nae with 13 segments, first longer than second, second equal fourth and fifth,
second the smallest one. Fore-coxae without projection. Head capsule with few
scattered bristles. Nasus with hairs on apex. Postmentum with two or three bris-
tles. Pronotum, mesonotum and metanotum with few bristles on margins. Legs
with few bristles. Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Tergites and sternites with numerous hairs
on surface. Sternites with a row of long bristles on posterior margin. Head fer-
ruginous. Nasus ferruginous orange. Pronotum orange. Legs yellow. Abdomen
yellowish, transparent.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five soldiers: length of head with nasus
1.36-1.41; length of nasus 0.61-0.64; maximum width of head 0.75-0.77; height
of head excluding postmentum 0.59-0.64; cross length of mandible 0.52-0.55;
maximum width of pronotum 0.45-0.50; length of hind tibia 0.73-0.75.
Worker – Mandibles as in Fig. 42. Enteric valve armature well sclerotized, 3
swellings of 1st order alternating with 3 swellings of 2nd order. All swellings
with numerous large spines (Fig. 43).
Comparisons – The soldier of this species is close to A. minutus which has a
proportionally wider head and shorter nasus. The alate of A. minutus is larger
and has a proportionally wider head with larger, triangular fontanelle.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood, only in the “terra firme” forest.
Atlantitermes raripilus (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 52)
Material – MPEG 3474.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood on the ground, in the “terra firme” forest.
Remarks – In the original description of this species, there are no hairs on the
top of the head. Probably the magnification used by Emerson was not enough to
see the very small microscopic hairs on the top and sides of the head. In another
sample of this species (MPEG 3022, from Marajó Island) there is an alate which
agrees in detail with Emerson’s description.
211
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Atlantitermes snyderi (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 53)
Material – MPEG 2801, 2840, 2902.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood and in nests built by other species.
Remarks – In the original description (Emerson, 1925:406, Fig. 68), the hairs
on the top of the head seem to be shorter, but probably the magnification used
by Emerson was inadequate to the very small size of this species. The material
above was compared to paratypes (MZSP 3770), and agrees in detail.
Atlantitermes sp.
A single sample (MPEG 3005) of another small-sized, apparently new
species was collected in “terra firme” forest. The possible range of variation
of other species of this genus is unknown and the differences among them are
small.
Coatitermes clevelandi (Snyder) 1926
Material – MPEG 2794, 3431.
Biology – Collected in nests built by other species.
Constrictotermes cavifrons (Holmgren) 1910
(Figure 50)
Material – MPEG 2884, 2946, 2948.
Biology – This species builds a typical, column-shaped arboreal nest with in-
teresting rain-shedding devices. The nest of this species frequently contains a
colony of Inquilinitermes inquilinus.
Convexitermes convexifrons (Holmgren) 1906
(Figure 55)
Material – MPEG 3003, MZSP 9253.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood.
Curvitermes odontognathus (Silvestri) 1901
Material – MPEG 2989.
Biology – Collected in an abandoned epigeal nest build by an unknown species.
Cyrilliotermes cashassa Fontes 1985
Material – MPEG 2809, 2827, 2889, MZSP 9250.
Remarks – Collected in abandoned earthen nests and in diffuse galleries in or-
ganic soil.
212
Termites from the Japurá River
Embiratermes ignotus, sp.n.
(Figures 36-38)
Material – MPEG 2879 (holotype soldier and paratypes workers).
Imago – Unknown.
Soldier – Head capsule almost rectangular, sides convex. Top of head straight
in profile. Nasus shorter than mandibles, elevated in profile, with wide open-
ing. Labrum large, visible from dorsal view. Mandibles robust, curved, with one
marginal tooth each near base (Fig. 37). Antennae with 13 segments, first longer
than second, second longer than third, third equal fifth, fourth the smallest one.
Fore-coxae without projection. Head capsule with scattered bristles. Nasus with
few short bristles and with hairs on apex. Labrum with many bristles. Postmen-
tum with two bristles on anterior margin. Pronotum with bristles on margins.
Meso and metanotum with bristles on posterior margin. Legs with few bris-
tles. Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Tergites and sternites with numerous hairs on surface
and a row of bristles on posterior margin. Head and nasus orange yellow. Base
of mandibles ferruginous and the remainder dark chestnut brown. Legs yellow.
Abdomen yellowish, transparent.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five soldiers: length of head with nasus
1.30; length of nasus 0.38; maximum width of head 0.78; height of head ex-
cluding postmentum 0.63; cross length of mandible 0.55; maximum width of
pronotum 0.50.
Comparisons – The closest species is E. snyderi, which has proportionally longer
nasus, more elevated in profile, wider head with more convex sides and less
robust mandibles. All other species are much larger.
Biology – Collected in abandoned earthen epigeal nest in the “terra firme” forest.
Embiratermes neotenicus (Holmgren) 1906
(Figure 35)
Material – MPEG 2820, 2842, 2872, 2881, 2911, 2922, 2947.
Biology – This species builds an epigeal earthen termitarium of variable shape,
sometimes at the bases of trees, and is one of the more frequently found termite
species in Amazonian “terra firme” forests.
Ereymatermes rotundiceps Constantino 1991
Material – MPEG 2788 (paratypes), 2790 (Holotype and paratypes, with alates).
Ibitermes tellustris Constantino 1990a
Material – MPEG 2833, 2829, 2888.
Nasutitermes acangussu Bandeira & Fontes 1979
Material – MPEG 2950.
Biology – This species builds large arboreal carton nests.
213
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 44-47 – 44. Nasutitermes octopilis, soldier; 45. N. corniger, soldier; 46. N. nigriceps, soldier;
47. N. surinamensis, soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm.
214
Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 48-51 – 48. Nasutitermes banksi, soldier; 49. N. gaigei, soldier; 50. Constrictotermes cav-
ifrons, soldier; 51. Triangularitermes triangulariceps, soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm.
215
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 52-53 – 52. Atlantitermes raripilus, soldier; 53. A. snyderi, soldier. Scales= 0.5 mm.
Nasutitermes banksi Emerson 1925
(Figure 48)
Material – MPEG 2803, 2806, 2822.
Biology – Collected in nests built by other species.
Remarks – The soldiers and workers are slow-moving, contrary to the majority
of the species of the genus.
216
Termites from the Japurá River
Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) 1885
(Figure 45)
Material – MPEG 2786, 2793, 2796, 2925, 2928, 2930, 2934, 2937 (alates),
MZSP 9236.
Biology – This species builds a medium-sized arboreal carton nest, from three to
10 meters above ground level. It was frequently found foraging on wood.
Nasutitermes gaigei (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 49)
Material – MPEG 2830.
Biology – Collected in rotten-wood in “terra firme” forest.
Nasutitermes guayanae (Holmgren) 1910
Material – MPEG 2815, 2826, 2843, 2908, 3006, MZSP 9238.
Biology – This species builds a medium sized arboreal carton nest with rugose
surface and was frequently found foraging on wood.
Nasutitermes nigriceps (Haldeman) 1853
(Figure 46)
Material – MPEG 2808.
Biology – This species builds a medium-sized arboreal nest.
Nasutitermes octopilis Banks 1918
(Figure 44)
Material – MPEG 2984.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood.
Nasutitermes similis Emerson 1935
Material – MPEG 2897 (queen), 2962, 2967, 2968, 2995, MZSP 9237.
Biology – This species builds an arboreal carton nest with rugose surface, two to
four meters above ground level.
Nasutitermes surinamensis (Holmgren) 1910
(Figure 47)
Material – MPEG 2882, 2953.
Biology – This species builds a large arboreal carton nest with smooth surface,
reaching a diameter of one meter, sometimes more than 10 m above ground level.
Nasutitermes spp.
Five other species of Nasutitermes collected seem to be new, but erecting
new names without a complete taxonomic revision of the genus would add more
confusion among the approximately 75 described Neotropical species.
217
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 54-55 – 54. Araujotermes parvellus, soldier; 55. Convexitermes convexifrons, soldier. Scales
= 0.5 mm.
Rotunditermes bragantinus (Roonwal & Rathore) 1976
Material – MPEG 2813, 2883, 2892, 2919, 2924, 3000.
Biology – This species builds a dome-shaped epigeal nest made with carton,
with many fine roots inside. Sometimes it builds arboreal nests, but close to the
ground level.
218
Termites from the Japurá River
Figures 56-60 – Araujotermes nanus, sp.n.: 56. alate; 57. soldier; 58. enteric valve armature; 59 alate
mandibles; 60. worker mandibles. Scales = 0.5 mm for heads and 0.1 mm for mandibles and enteric
valve.
219
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
Figures 61-63 – 61. Subulitermes constricticeps, sp.n., soldier; 62. S. constricticeps, sp.n., worker
mandibles; 63. Subulitermes baileyi, soldier. Scales = 0.5 mm for heads and 0.1 mm for mandibles.
Rotunditermes rotundiceps (Holmgren) 1906
Material – MPEG 2824, 2964.
Biology – This species builds a nest similar to that of R. bragantinus, but rounded
and larger.
220
Termites from the Japurá River
Subulitermes baileyi (Emerson) 1925
(Figure 63)
Material – MPEG 2828, 2887 (alates).
Remarks – This species was collected in diffuse galleries in organic soil and in
an abandoned epigeal earthen nest.
Subulitermes constricticeps, sp.n.
(Figures 61 & 62)
Material – MPEG 2846 (holotype soldier and paratypes soldiers and workers).
Imago – Unknown.
Soldier – Head capsule elongate, with a slight constriction behind antennae. Na-
sus cylindrical, long and slender. Vestigial mandibles without points. Antenna
with 11 segments, first longer than third, third longer than fifth, fifth longer than
fourth, second the smaller one. Head, nasus, post-mentum and pronotum covered
with numerous microscopic hairs. Tibiae with a row of spines on inner margin.
Tibial spurs 2:2:2. Tergites with scattered short hairs on surface. Sternites with
numerous hairs on surface and a row of bristles on posterior margin. Head cap-
sule yellow to orange-yellow. Nasus orange to ferruginous orange. Pronotum,
mesonotum, metanotum, legs and sclerites yellowish, transparent.
Measurements of 5 soldiers from type-colony: length of head with nasus
1.11-1.13; length of nasus 0.47-0.49; maximum width of head 0.49-0.59; height
of head excluding postmentum 0.33-0.35; maximum width of pronotum 0.30-
0.32; length of hind tibia 0.49-0.56.
Worker – Postclypeus moderately inflated. Antennae with 12 segments. Head
with few bristles and scattered hairs. Pronotum, metanotum and mesonotum with
hairs. Tergites with scattered hairs on surface and a row of short bristles on
posterior margin. Sternites with numerous hairs on surface and a row of long
bristles on posterior margin. Mandibles in Fig. 62. Left mandible index 1.26.
Enteric valve armature non-sclerotized, with few small spines.
Comparisons – This species is distinguished from the four other of the genus
by the constriction of the head. S. angusticeps and S. microssoma have antennae
with 12 segments. All other known species of the genus have four bristles on top
of head and less numerous microscopic hairs on head.
Biology – Collected as inquiline in a nest of Neocapritermes braziliensis.
Syntermes robustus, sp.n.
(Figures 31-34)
Material – MPEG 2885 (holotype soldier, paratypes soldiers, alates and work-
ers), MZSP 9228 (paratypes soldiers, alates and workers).
Imago – Head capsule rounded. Eyes rounded, small. Fontanelle triangular with
rounded angles, large. Width of clypeus more than two times the length. Man-
dible as in Fig. 34. Antennae with 20 segments, first longer than third, third
longer than second, second longer than fifth, fourth the smallest one. Pronotum
wider than head; anterior angles with sharp points; posterior margin rounded,
emarginate. Meso and metanotum with posterior margins concave. Head cap-
sule, clypeus and labrum with few scattered bristles. Pronotum with bristles on
221
Bol. Mus. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Zool., 7(2), 1991
margins. Meso and metanotum without bristles. Legs with numerous bristles.
Tibiae with numerous spines on inner margin. Tibial spurs 3:2:2. Tergites with
hairs on posterior margin. Sternites with numerous hairs on surface. Head chest-
nut brown. Clypeus ferruginous. Pronotum, mesonotum and metanotum ferrugi-
nous orange. Tergites dark chestnut brown. Sternites and wings chestnut brown.
Measurements (in millimeters) of five alates: length of head to lateral base
of mandibles 2.5-2.8; maximum width of head with eyes 3.5-3.7; height of head
excluding postmentum 1.4-1.5; maximum diameter of eye 0.6-0.7; maximum
length of pronotum 1.8-2.0; maximum width of pronotum 3.7-4.3; length of hind
tibia 6.0-6.6.
Soldier – Head capsule with sides straight converging towards front; maximum
width approximately equal to length. Frontal tube small; opening directed for-
wards. Labrum three-lobed. Mandibles strong with a prominent marginal tooth
each. Inner margin of apical tooth of left mandible strongly sigmoid. Angle be-
tween marginal tooth of right mandible and apical margin approximately 60◦.
Antennae with 20 segments, first longer than third, third longer than second,
second longer than fourth, fourth equal fifth. Pronotum, mesonotum and metan-
otum with large spines, but narrower than head; anterior margin of pronotum
strongly emarginate. Head, labrum and postmentum with numerous short bris-
tles. Pronotum with scattered short bristles, more numerous on anterior margin.
Meso and metanotum with short bristles on posterior margin. Legs with numer-
ous bristles. Tibiae with spines on inner margin. Tibial spurs 3:2:2. Tergites and
sternites with numerous bristles on surface, more numerous on posterior margin.
Head, pronotum, mesonotum and metanotum orange. Mandibles brown at base
and remainder very dark brown. Labrum orange; median lobule hyaline. Legs
orange yellow. Abdomen yellowish, transparent.
Comparisons – The soldier of this species is close to S. spinosus which has
more robust mandibles with more curved tips, inner margin of apical tooth of
left mandible less sigmoid, and more numerous bristles on head and abdomen.
The soldier of S. dirus has narrower head with sides less converging towards
front, larger frontal tube, smaller notal spines and inner margin of apical tooth
of left mandible less sigmoid. The alate of S. spinosus is very close but has a
proportionally wider pronotum and a larger, rounded fontanelle. The alate of S.
dirus is almost indistinguishable; has the fontanelle rounded and less numerous
bristles on head.
Biology – The single colony was found in a long column with soldiers, workers
and alates. They were apparently migrating after the river raised. This species is
probably subterranean as the majority of the species of the genus.
Triangularitermes triangulariceps Mathews 1977
(Figure 51)
Material – MPEG 2855, 2905, 3487.
Biology – Collected in rotten wood in “terra firme” forest.
Remarks – The head of the soldiers from Maraã is more rounded and less tri-
angular than described by Mathews. I have also examined material from other
localities and a considerable variation in the shape of the head was observed.
222
Termites from the Japurá River
DISCUSSION
In reviewing the known geographical distribution of the termite species
found in Maraã the pattern that arises is a predominant Amazonian distribu-
tion. From the 51 determined species, 42 (82%) are known only from Amazonia
(limits in Figure 1) and only 9 (18%) are known from other regions. Among
the Amazonian species, 21 are widely distributed in this region and the remain-
der are known from more restricted areas. Eleven species are known only from
Maraã. Many of the species with restricted known distributions certainly have
a larger real distribution, given the paucity of collection in this region and their
cryptic habits that made difficult their collecting.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation through a grant to the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Zoology De-
partment administered by the World Wildlife Fund - US. I am grateful to Eliana
M. Cancello for providing facilities and assistance during my visits to the Museu
de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo to compare specimens.
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de Ciências.
BATES, H.W. 1854. On some particulars in the natural history and habits of termites. Proc. Linn.
Soc. London 2: 333.
CONSTANTINO, R. 1990a. Two new species of termites (Insecta, Isoptera) from the Western Brazil-
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CONSTANTINO, R. 1990b. Agnathotermes crassinasus, new species of mite from the Amazon
Basin (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae). Bol. Mus. Par. Emílio Goeldi 6(1): 43-46.
CONSTANTINO, R. 1991. Anew genus and species of soil-feeding nasute termite from the Amazon
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EMERSON, A.E. 1925. The termites of Kartabo, Bartica District, British Guiana. Zoologica 6(4):
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FONTES, L.R. 1983. Acréscimos e correções ao Catálogo dos Isoptera do Novo Mundo. Revta. bras.
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FONTES, L.R. 1985. New genera and species of Nasutitermitinae from the Neotropical Region.
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FONTES, L.R. 1987a. Morphology of the worker digestive tube of the soil-feeding nasute termites
(Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) from Neotropical Region. Rev. bras. Zool. 3(8): 475-
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FONTES, L.R. 1987b. Morphology of the alate and worker mandibles of the soil-feeding nasute
termites (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) from Neotropical Region. Rev. bras. Zool. 3(8):
503-531.
HAGEN, H.A. 1858. Monographie der Termiten. Part II. Linn. Entom. 12: 1-342.
HOLMGREN, N. 1906. Studien uber sudamericanische Termiten. Zool. Jahrb. (Syst.) Jena, 23(5):
521-676.
MATHEWS. A.G.A. 1977. Studies on Termites from the Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro,
Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 267 p.
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ROONWAL, M.L. 1969. Measurements of termites (Isoptera) for taxonomic purposes. J. Zool. Soc.
India 21(1):9-66.
SANDS, W.A. 1965. A revision of the termite subfamily Nasutitermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae)
from the Etiopian region. Bull. Brit. Mus. Nat. Hist., Ent. Suppl. 4:1-172.
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224
- CitationsCitations13
- ReferencesReferences14
- However, although the enteric valves share an almost identical shape, the arrangement and structure of the spines in Macuxitermes differs from that of Noirotitermes and Acangaobitermes. Genera of Syntermitinae exhibit a wide variety of nest-building behaviour (Constantino 1991, Emerson 1952, Emerson and Banks 1965, Fontes 1985, Redford 1984, Scheffrahn 2010, Snyder 1922 ). Some build epigeal mounds (Cornitermes and Embiratermes spp.) or arboreal carton nests in rotten wood or tree stumps (Labiotermes spp., Silvestritermes holmgreni (Snyder)), while some, including species of Cyrilliotermes and Curvitermes, live in abandoned nests of other termite species or as inquilines.
[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: A new species of termite, Macuxitermes colombicus Postle & Scheffrahn is described from soldiers and workers collected from Departamento Magdalena, Colombia. The soldier of M. colombicus differs from its lone congener in having no protuberances on the head capsule.- Imago. The imago of S. minutus was not studied; therefore, the description and comparisons below are based on the original description by Emerson (1925) and the comparisons by Constantino (1991). Diameter of eye approximately equal to half length of head capsule.
[Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: We present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Syntermitinae, including representatives of all genera of the subfamily, along with all 12 species assigned formerly to the genus Armitermes Wasmann (Termitidae, Syntermitinae), and 4 new species described herein. Syntermitinae was recovered as a natural group and the hypothesis that the frontal tube indicates convergence between Syntermitinae and Nasutitermitinae was corroborated. Also, several diagnostic characters proposed in the original description of Syntermitinae are discussed. Alongside the phylogenetic study, a taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Armitermes was carried out, resulting in division of the genus into four genera. Taxonomic novelties are: Armitermes now includes A. armiger (Motschulsky), A. bidentatus Rocha & Cancello sp.n. and A. spininotus Rocha & Cancello sp.n.; Silvestritermes Rocha & Cancello gen.n. includes S. euamignathus (Silvestri) comb.n., S. lanei (Canter) comb.n., S. gnomus (Constantino) comb.n., S. duende Rocha & Cancello sp.n., S. minutus (Emerson) comb.n., S. almirsateri Rocha & Cancello sp.n. and S. holmgreni (Snyder) comb.n.; Uncitermes Rocha & Cancello gen.n. includes U. teevani (Emerson) comb.n.; Mapinguaritermes Rocha & Cancello gen.n. includes M. peruanus (Holmgren) comb.n. and M. grandidens (Emerson) comb.n. A new synonymy is proposed for A. cerradoensis Mathews under S. euamignathus. All soldiers are described and illustrated, as are the mandibles and digestive tract of the worker and the imago caste, when available. We provide a dichotomous key, based on soldiers, for all genera of Syntermitinae, and distribution maps and dichotomous keys, based on soldiers, for the species of Armitermes and all the new genera described herein.- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: A list of outdated names, nomina nuda, misidentifications, and other errors found in Mathews's (1977) monograph on the termite fauna of Mate Grosso State, Brazil.
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Groups of Heterotemies tenuis (Hagen, 1858) from five infestation points were paired in bioassays to investigate the intercolony aggression. The combinations of arena sizes (Petri dishes of 6.0 and 9.0 cm) and temperatures (25 and 28 ºC) were assessed for effects on intraspecific agonism. Agonistic behavior was scored positive in arena if more than half of the starting number of termites was dead and injured after 17 hours. After the intraspecific encounters it was possible to delimitate three colonies from the five infestation points. No significant differential survival was seen in two different arena sizes and two different temperatures. These assays indicate that the factors governing the agonistic behavior in H. tenuis are complex and seems to be dependent on environmental conditions and individual characteristies (age, size and caste).
- [Show abstract] [Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858) is a subterranean termite that cause damage in forests, crops and urban areas. The population and foraging territory of an urban colony were determined using triple mark-release-recapture technique. Foraging population was estimated in 134,583 ± 5,803 individuals. The foraging territory encompassed an area of 175,5 m2 and the maxim linear foraging distance was 36 m.
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