Diversitermes tiapuan, Oliveira, Danilo Elias & Constantino, Reginaldo, 2016

Oliveira, Danilo Elias & Constantino, Reginaldo, 2016, A taxonomic revision of the neotropical termite genus Diversitermes (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), Zootaxa 4158 (2), pp. 221-245 : 227-228

Key to the soldiers of Diversitermes

Remarks. Diversitermes diversimiles and D. tiapuan , sp. n., are difficult to separate based on soldier morphology alone, even when all soldier forms are present. In case of doubt, identification should be confirmed by examination of the enteric valve armature. The use of this key requires samples with major and intermediate soldiers.

1. Head brownish yellow; nasus short ( Figs. 4 B, 4C, 5B, 5C, 6B, 6C). Head capsule of major soldier pear-shaped with sides strongly converging anteriorly in dorsal view; posterior margin evenly rounded ( Fig. 4 B). Head capsule of intermediate soldier with convex sides in dorsal view, with a slight constriction behind antennae; subapical region of nasus dilated ( Figs. 5 B, 5C).......................................................................................... D. castaniceps

- Head usually dark chestnut brown to dark brown ( Figs. 4 D, 4L, 5D– 5I, 6G–L). Head capsule of major soldier nearly elliptic, sometimes slightly angular; lateral sides parallel or convex, not converging anteriorly ( Figs. 4 E, H, K). Head capsule of intermediate soldier with concave sides in dorsal view; subapical region of nasus variable ( Figs. 5 E, F, H, I)................. 2

2. Intermediate soldier: length of nasus shorter than height of head at the insertion of antennae ( Fig. 5 F); subapical region of nasus dilated ( Figs. 5 E, F).................................................................. D. diversimiles

- Intermediate soldier: length of nasus equal or longer than height of head at the insertion of antennae ( Fig. 5 I); subapical region of nasus not dilated ( Figs. 5 H, I)............................................................. D. tiapuan , sp. n.

Figures

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.