Parvitermes mesoamericanus, Scheffrahn, Rudolf H., 2016

Scheffrahn, Rudolf H., 2016, Parvitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in Central America: Two new termite species and reassignment of Nasutitermesmexicanus, ZooKeys 617, pp. 47-63 : 53-55

Taxon classification Animalia Isoptera Termitidae

Parvitermes mesoamericanus sp. n.

Type-locality.

Honduras, S. Pinalillo, 15.0860, -88.2160, 144 m elev.

Holotype.

Soldier, 2 Jun 2007, Scheffrahn et al. cols., UF no. HN822 (in microvial).

Paratypes.

GUATEMALA: Salama, 15.1055, -90.3261, 28 May 2006, Scheffrahn et al., GUA16; Road to Rabinal, 15.1045, -90.3722, 28 May 2006, Scheffrahn et al., GUA33; HONDURAS: Coyolito, 13.3149, -87.6227, 31 May 2007, Scheffrahn et al., HN431; NICARAGUA: Los Cardones, 12.8851, -86.0534, 30 May 2004, Scheffrahn et al., NI114.

Imago.

Unknown.

Soldier

(Table 3, Figs 2D, 3CD, 8). Monomorphic. Head capsule and pronotum light orange-brown; nasus darker. In dorsal view, cephalic gland duct partially or completely visible from nasus to reservoir. Many small, some medium, and a few longer setae scattered on head; setae on nasus small and numerous. In dorsal view, head capsule outline, without nasus, ovoid; nasus about 2/3 as long as rest of head capsule; head capsule barely constricted behind antennal sockets; widest in middle. In lateral view, vertex nearly in a flat plane; vertex and ventral margin of head capsule converge to front. In dorsal view nasus is narrowly conical, about thrice its width at base compared to midpoint; In lateral view nasus conical; projecting directly anterior below plane of vertex. Mandibles with short, very narrow, points. Antennal with 12 articles (1>2<3=4). Hind tibia about as long as or shorter than maximum head width. Pronotum with scattered microscopic setae (0.05 mm); anterior lobe evenly convex and ca. 90° from plane of posterior lobe, posterior lobe more blunt. Each tergite with 3-4 long (0.13 mm) setae and dozens of microscopic (0.05 mm) setae. EVA consists of three irregular rows of about 8-12 long subtriangulate, and very slightly down-curved spines; a few small scale-like spines in the anterior ring.

Worker

(Table 4, Figs 2C, 4B, 5B, 6B, 8). Monomorphic. Head capsule very pale yellow with two slightly darker yellowish-orange dorso-lateral patches; pronotum very pale yellow; body, antennae, and legs hyaline. Antennal with 12-13 articles. Postclypeus considerably inflated in lateral view; scattered short, medium, and a few longer setae on head capsule. Abdomen with many short and longer setae. Mandibles with about eight ridges on molar plate, molar plate with slight dorsal notch; apical and first marginal teeth of similar shape and projection; third marginal smaller, separated from first by slightly emarginate cutting edge. Gut with very long P1; U-shaped turn near midpoint, bottom of turn extending to ventro-lateral aspect of abdomen. EVA consists of three irregular rows of about 8-12 long subtriangulate, and very slightly down-curved spines; three patches with small scale-like spines in the anterior ring.

Etymology and distribution.

Named for Middle America which encompasses Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; the known range of this termite. The distribution habitat of Parvitermes mesoamericanus (Fig. 7) is more xeric than adjacent regions lacking this termite.

Comparisons.

The soldier of Parvitermes mesoamericanus has the nasus directed forward, the head capsule widest in the middle, a few scattered long setae on the vertex, and points on the mandibular stubs while in Parvitermes mexicanus , the nasus is slightly upturned, the head is widest in the posterior third, the vertex lacks scattered long setae, and the mandibular stubs have points. The worker of Parvitermes mesoamericanus has a much longer and more ventrally positioned P1, stouter and less curved EVA spines, and longer setae on the vertex, while in Parvitermes mexicanus the P1 is shorter and more dorsal, the EVA spines are thinner and more curved, and the setae on the vertex are shorter. The Parvitermes mesoamericanus worker is proportionally smaller to its soldier as compared Parvitermes mexicanus . Both castes of Parvitermes mexicanus have longer hind tibia than Parvitermes mesoamericanus .