Diversitermes castaniceps ( Holmgren 1910 )

Oliveira, Danilo Elias & Constantino, Reginaldo, 2016, A taxonomic revision of the neotropical termite genus Diversitermes (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), Zootaxa 4158 (2), pp. 221-245 : 229-232

Diversitermes castaniceps ( Holmgren 1910)

Eutermes (Constrictotermes) castaniceps Holmgren 1910: 306 [imago, soldier, worker]. Eutermes (Diversitermes) castaniceps: Holmgren 1912: 64

Nasutitermes (Diversitermes) castaniceps: Hare 1931: 598

Diversitermes castaniceps: Snyder 1949: 306 [catalog, part]

Diversitermes castaneiceps: Araujo 1977: 39 [misspelling]

Diversitermes castaniceps: Krishna et al. 2013: 1569 [catalog, part]

Diversitermes eidmanni Roonwal et al. 1981: 348 [wing microsculpturing]. New synonym

Imago ( Figs. 1 A–1D, 2A, 2D, 3A, 3D). Head capsule brown, paler near postclypeus, eyes and antennal sockets. Postclypeus yellow brown; midline darker. Labrum yellowish, hyaline. Frontal marks inconspicuous. Ecdysial line (epicranial suture) inconspicuous. Antenna yellow brown. Thoracic nota. Legs and pleural sclerites yellow. Tergites yellow brown. Sternites paler. Wings brownish, hyaline; anterior veins darker. Head capsule densely covered with short inclined hairs and 6–10 short bristles. Postclypeus with numerous hairs, less dense than on head capsule. Labrum with about 10 bristles and many short hairs. Pronotum densely covered with hairs, more numerous near margins. Tergites and sternites densely covered with long hairs. Wings with short hairs on surface; anterior margin with longer hairs. Head capsule oval, with slightly angular posterior corners. Fontanelle spot conspicuous, Y-shaped. Eye nearly circular, medium-sized, distance to lower margin of head about 1/6 its diameter. Ocelli oval, large and prominent, separated from eye by about half their width. Postclypeus inflated; anterior margin nearly straight; posterior margin convex. Pronotum with anterior margin nearly straight, slightly emarginate; sides convex converging posteriorly. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum broadly V-shaped; posterior points roughly rounded, irregular. Wing microsculpturing: margins and veins with pointed papillae; membrane covered with dense asteroid micrasters (6–8 points). Antenna with 15 articles: 3>6>5=4=2. Measurements in Table 1 .

Major soldier ( Fig. 4 A–C). Head capsule brownish yellow; nasus darker. Antennae, thoracic nota and legs yellow. Tergites yellowish, paler than thoracic nota. Sternites paler than tergites. Head capsule with 2 bristles on vertex and 4 at base of nasus, and numerous microscopic hairs. Nasus densely covered with very short inclined hairs, and 4 longer ones at tip; hairs become longer toward apex. Pronotum with 0–2 bristles on anterior margin. Meso- and metanotum without bristles. Thoracic nota covered with dense microscopic hairs. Tergites with 4–6 long bristles on posterior margin; surface with dense, inclined, microscopic hairs. Sternites with a row of long bristles on posterior margin; surface with dense inclined hairs of variable length. Head capsule pear-shaped, with strongly convex sides. Nasus short, narrow and subcylindrical. Line between vertex and nasus concave in profile. Pronotum with anterior margin convex, slightly emarginate. Antenna with 13 articles: 3>2>6>5>4; 3rd article about as long as 1st and about twice as long as second. Measurements in Table 2 .

Intermediate soldier ( Fig. 5 A–C). Coloration, chaetotaxy and antennae similar to those of major soldier; head capsule lighter colored. Smaller and with sides of head nearly parallel; a slight constriction present behind antennae. Nasus shorter, slightly upturned and dilated near apex. Measurements in Table 3 .

Minor soldier ( Fig. 6 A–C). Coloration lighter than in intermediate and major soldiers. Head capsule wider posteriorly; with distinct constriction behind antennae. Head in profile with a convex elevation between constriction and nasus. Nasus upturned, dilated near apex and with fewer hairs than in intermediate and major soldiers. Antennal articles: 6>5=3>2>4; articles 6–13 about the same length. Measurements in Table 4 .

Worker ( Figs. 8 A–B; 9A–C; 10; 13C). Head capsule yellow to brownish yellow. Epicranial suture and fontanelle spot conspicuous. Antennae with basal articles unpigmented, becoming yellow towards apex. Thoracic nota, tergites and sternites yellowish. Legs unpigmented. Head capsule with a few scattered bristles and many microscopic hairs. Pronotum with 2–6 bristles on anterior lobe and sparse short hairs. Meso- and metanota with microscopic hairs, without bristles. Tergites and sternites with a row of bristles on posterior margin and many short, inclined hairs on surface; hairs and bristles longer on sternite. Antenna with 14 articles. Measurement in Tables 5 and 6 .

Comparisons. See comparisons under D. tiapuan , sp. n.

Distribution. Diversitermes castaniceps occurs only in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest between latitudes 19°S and 28°S ( Fig. 12 ).

Remarks. The case of Diversitermes eidmanni is similar to that of D. needhami . Roonwal et al. (1981) described the wing micro-sculpturing of specimens donated by A.E. Emerson, labeled as “paratypes” of Diversitermes eidmanni , a manuscript name. Roonwal et al. (1981) did not designate types, just mention the locality: “South America, Sao Vicente (Porchal Island, Sao Paulo, Brazil)” [sic] (Brazil, State of São Paulo, São Vicente, Ilha Porchat, lat 23.97°S long 46.37°W). The examination of specimens from the same series (AMNH, collected by R.L. Araujo in 1945) reveals that they belong to D. castaniceps .

Type material examined. BRAZIL: Santa Catarina, Blumenau (26.919°S, 49.066°W), no date, Fr. Müller col., soldiers, workers, imagoes ( AMNH, syntypes) . Other syntypes from the same series are in the Museum für Naturkunde an der Universität Humbolt, Berlin, Germany (not examined).

Other material examined. BRAZIL: Espírito Santo: Presidente Kennedy , Praia das Neves (21.28°S, 40.97°W) , 28.iv.1998, R. Constantino col., soldiers, workers (UnB-0419). Santa Teresa (19.936°S, 40.6°W), 25.v.1954, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-4140). Sooretama, Rebio Sooretama (19.192°S, 40.092°W), 10.iv.2001, unknown col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 13275 ) ; 26.vii.2001, L.C. col., soldiers (MZSP-12454); 26.vii.2001, L.C. col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12455); 26.vii.2001, L.C.M. Oliveira col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12449, 12450, 12451, 12452); 31.vii.2001, L.C.M. Oliveira col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12453). Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte (19.92°S, 43.93°W), 14.x.1956, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 4475 ) . Viçosa (20.75°S, 42.88°W), 01.ix.2005, O.F.F. Souza col., soldiers (UFV) ; 03.xii.1994, M. Fadini col., soldiers, workers (UnB-0618, 0620); 07.ii.2000, D.S.S.L. Amaral col., soldiers, workers (UFV); 07.ii.2000, Danilo col., soldiers, workers (UFV); 07.ii.2000, Romero col., soldiers, workers (UFV); 07.ii.2000, T.S. col., soldiers, workers (MZSP- 13280); 08.ii.1995, M. Fadini col., soldiers, workers (UnB-0623); 09.ii.1995, M. Fadini col., soldiers, workers (UnB-0625); 10.xii.1994, M. Fadini col., soldiers, workers (UnB-0621); 12.xi.1994, M. Fadini col., soldiers, workers (UnB-0607); 27.ii.2000, C. Fanton col., soldiers, workers (UFV). Paraná: Morretes (25.477°S, 48.834°W), 02.iii.2002, A.M. Z. col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 12433 ) ; 26.ii.2002, L.C. col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12435). Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande (23.15°S, 44.233°W), 06.iv.1944, H. Muth & H. Sick col., soldiers, workers ( AMNH) ; 23.v.1944, H. Muth & H. Sick col., soldiers, workers (AMNH); 29.vi.1944, H. Muth & H. Sick col., soldiers, workers (AMNH); 30.iv.2001, R. Constantino col., soldiers, workers (UnB-2872). Itatiaia (22.496°S, 44.563°W), 18.x.1933, H.A. Eidmann col., soldiers, workers (AMNH); 24.ix.1947, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 3060 ). Mangaratiba, Ilha da Marambaia (23.067°S, 43.967°W) , 26.v.2003, R. Constantino col., soldiers, workers (UnB-5569, 5572, 5578, 5582, 5584). Mendes (22.527°S, 43.733°W), 15.ix.1933, H.A. Eidmann col., soldiers, imagoes (AMNH); 15.ix.1933, H.A. Eidmann col., soldiers, workers, imagoes (AMNH). Rio de Janeiro (22.9°S, 43.23°W), 19.viii.1962, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 0063 ) ; 30.ix.1962, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-0276). Santa Catarina: Barra Velha (26.632°S, 48.685°W), 15.i.2014, R. Constantino col., soldiers, workers (UnB-10232). Blumenau , 08.vi.1922, A. Reichensperger col., soldiers, workers (AMNH); 22.xii.1972, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers, imagoes (MZSP- 5209); 26.ii.1968, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers (MZSP-7840). Florianópolis (27.58°S, 48.57°W), 1998, C.R.F. Brandão col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 13279 ) . Pomerode (26.741°S, 49.177°W), 27.xii.1972, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 5216 ) . São Paulo: Cananéia , Ilha do Cardoso (25.133°S, 47.967°W), 25.xi.2002, L.C. col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 12436 ) ; 27.xi.2002, L.C. col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12434); 29.xi.2002, unknown col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12437). Guarujá (24.S, 46.267°W), 20.x.1950, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers, imagoes ( AMNH, BMNH- 133982 ) . Ilhabela , Ilha dos Búzios (23.8°S, 45.133°W), 02.iv.1964, K. Lenko col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 1898 ) . Itanhaém (24.183°S, 46.789°W), 08.i.1979, L.R. Fontes & S.A. Marques col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 7629 ) ; 09.iv.1980, E.M. Cancello col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-8036); 16.vi.1979, L.R. Fontes & P.S. Terra col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-7847); 26.iii.1979, L.R. Fontes & P.S. Terra col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-7829); 29.vii.1978, L.R. Fontes & S.A. Marques col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-7722, 7725). Santos (23.961°S, 46.334°W), vii.1958, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 1926 ) . São Sebastião (23.833°S, 45.3°W), 20.vii.1999, E.M. Cancello col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 10849 ) . São Vicente, Ilha Porchat (23.983°S, 46.367°W), 18.ix.1945, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers ( AMNH) ; 20.ix.1945, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers (AMNH). São Vicente (23.963°S, 46.392°W), 18.ix.1945, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers, imagoes ( MZSP- 2892 ) ; 20.ix.1945, R.L. Araujo col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-2902). Tapiraí (23.964°S, 47.507°W), 08.i.2001, R.R. Silva & Ebehardt col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 11196 ) . Ubatuba, Picinguaba (23.367°S, 44.833°W), 04.x.2000, L.C. col., soldiers, workers ( MZSP- 12456, 12458 ) ; 19.x.2000, L.C. col., soldiers, workers (MZSP-12457, 12459).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Imagos of Diversitermes. From left to right: meso- and metanotum, pronotum, head in dorsal view, and head in profile. A – D, D. castaniceps; E – H, D. diversimiles. I – L, D. tiapuan, sp. n.

FIGURE 4. Major soldiers: thorax in dorsal view (left), head in dorsal view (center), and head in profile (right). A – C, Diversitermes castaniceps. D – I, D. diversimiles (two soldiers from different colonies showing size variation). J – L, D. tiapuan, sp. n. All figures in the same scale.

FIGURE 5. Intermediate soldiers: thorax in dorsal view (left), head in dorsal view (center), and head in profile (right). A – C, Diversitermes castaniceps; D – F, D. diversimiles. G – I, D. tiapuan, sp. n. All figures in the same scale.

FIGURE 6. Minor soldiers: thorax in dorsal view (left), head in dorsal view (center), and head in profile (right). A – C, Diversitermes castaniceps. D – I, D. diversimiles (two soldiers from different colonies showing size and color variation). J – L, D. tiapuan, sp. n. All figures in the same scale.

FIGURE 8. Head of major workers in profile (top) and from dorsal view (bottom). A – B, Diversitermes castaniceps. C – D, Diversitermes diversimiles. E – F, Diversitermes tiapuan, sp. n. All figures in the same scale.

FIGURE 12. Geographic range (dark gray) and locality records (circles) of Diversitermes castaniceps.

Tables

TABLE 1. Measurements of imagoes of Diversitermes (mm).

Measurement	D. diversimiles	D. castaniceps	D. tiapuan
Length of head	0.88–0.96	0.86–0.92	0.90–1.00
Length of posterior tibia	1.54–1.78	1.54–1.64	1.54–1.74
Maximum width of head	1.18–1.28	1.16–1.24	1.16–1.28
Width of pronotum	1.06–1.14	1.04–1.13	0.86–1.18
Diameter of eye	0.34–0.38	0.32–0.38	0.30–0.38
n	1 0	1 5	1 9

TABLE 2. Measurements of major soldiers of Diversitermes (mm).

Measurement	D. castaniceps	D. diversimiles	D. tiapuan
Length of head	1.74–1.96	1.70–2.24	1.76–2.22
Length of nasus	0.54–0.64	0.47–0.78	0.56–0.82
Length of posterior tibia	1.06–1.16	1.00–1.34	0.96–1.16
Maximum width of head	1.00–1.16	0.92–1.32	0.90–1.22
Width of head behind antennae	0.65–0.74	0.64–0.92	0.66–0.78
Width of pronotum	0.44–0.54	0.48–0.78	0.48–0.56
n	2 0	3 8	2 1

TABLE 3. Measurements of intermediate soldiers of Diversitermes (mm).

Measurement	D. castaniceps	D. diversimiles D. tiapuan
Length of head	1.38–1.54	1.26–1.46 1.24–1.54
Length of nasus	0.36–0.47	0.33–0.60 0.36–0.52
Length of posterior tibia	1.04–1.14	0.98–1.16 0.92–1.15
Maximum width of head	0.72–0.81	0.64–0.76 0.58–0.68
Width of head behind antennae	0.63–0.68	0.56–0.63 0.55–0.63
Width of pronotum	0.49–0.53	0.43–0.54 0.42–0.59
n	8	1 8 1 1

TABLE 4. Measurements of minor soldiers of Diversitermes (mm).

Measurement	D. castaniceps	D. diversimiles	D. tiapuan
Length of head	1.14–1.28	1.10–1.40	1.10–1.46
Length of nasus	0.36–0.46	0.40–0.54	0.38–0.60
Length of posterior tibia	0.84–0.98	0.79–1.10	0.74–1.06
Maximum width of head	0.52–0.59	0.42–0.64	0.44–0.62
Width of head behind antennae	0.42–0.48	0.40–0.51	0.42–0.84
Width of pronotum	0.32–0.39	0.32–0.40	0.30–0.38
n	2 0	3 5	2 2

TABLE 5. Measurements of major workers with narrow gap of Diversitermes (mm).

Measurement	D. castaniceps D. diversimiles	D. tiapuan
Length of head	0.74–0.94 0.84–0.98	0.80–0.95
Length of posterior tibia	0.80–1.00 0.88–1.06	0.86–1.06
Maximum width of head	0.83–1.08 0.94–1.12	0.92–1.08
Width of pronotum	0.44–0.56 0.46–0.56	0.44–0.59
n	2 0 2 7	2 1

TABLE 6. Measurements of major workers with wide gap of Diversitermes (mm).

Measurement	D. castaniceps D. diversimiles	D. tiapuan
Length of head	0.84–0.94 0.82–0.94	0.77–0.92
Length of posterior tibia	1.00–1.10 0.98–1.18	0.77–1.12
Maximum width of head	0.98–1.07 0.97–1.10	0.88–1.02
Width of pronotum	0.60–0.66 0.56–0.68	0.40–0.60
n	1 0 1 0	1 3