THE SOLDIERLESS TERMITES OF AFRICA 



45 



Right mandible similarly proportioned to that of imago except for enlarged molar plate, complex 

 ratio R A /Ri.R m , 1340-1815. Mesenteric junction with proctodeum simple, nearly transverse, 

 without overlap, mesenteron short with malpighian tubules inserted at exactly half its length. 

 First section of proctodeum slightly longer than mesenteron, slightly swollen, tapering distally 

 to enteric valve; valve seating a simple rim, sessile on second pouch of proctodeum, latero- 

 ventral in position in unopened abdomen; internal cushions of enteric valve, unarmed, weakly 

 scaled. 



This genus, represented so far by a single species, is clearly related to Astalotermes, 

 and particularly to A . comis sp. n. However, the position of the subsidiary marginal 

 tooth of the left mandible, and the distinctly shorter gut of the worker, are both 

 features resembling more primitive groups. The results of the various numerical 

 taxonomic analyses also separate Acidnotermes to such an extent that it must be 

 placed in a different genus. Its small size and mandible form combined distinguish 

 it from all other genera. The only overlap in size is found in Anenteotermes nanus 

 (Sjostedt) but here the mandibles are distinctive in both castes, and the worker 

 with its long mixed segment of the gut, and armed enteric valve, presents no 

 problems. 



The relative shortness of the worker gut, the lack of a mixed segment, the unarmed 

 enteric valve, and the unspecialized mandibles, all lead to the opinion that Acidno- 



Figs 32-42. Acidnotermes prans. 32, 33, front and side views of imago head capsule; 

 34, 35, imago mandibles; 36-38, worker ditto; 39, entire worker intestine; 40, mesenteric- 

 proctodeal junction showing attachment of malpighian tubules and position of mal- 

 pighian knot; 41, 42, views of enteric valve seating. 



