142 W. A. SANDS 



separated in the imago by the complex ratios, or in one of them by the even pilosity 

 and large size; in the worker the complex ratios again serve to separate the genera. 

 The enteric valve cushions of Astratotermes have small spines on the posterior parts 

 only, and few spicules or none on the membrane beyond them. In Acholotermes 

 the entire enteric valve cushion carries minute spines or multiple spicules fringing 

 the scales, and the membranous wall beyond and between them has a distinct or 

 even thick fringe of spicules. To see those effectively requires phase-contrast 

 illumination and so they are not used in diagnoses or keys. These and the small 

 differences of proportion are enough in the multivariate analysis to separate the 

 Acholotermes from the species of Astratotermes that resemble it as widely as some 

 very distinctive genera are separated (Text-figs 337, 338 & 339, compare with 

 Text-figs 304-306). In order to achieve consistency of treatment and maintain 

 as far as possible the objectivity imposed by the numerical methods, they are 

 separated with a different generic name. Aganotermes has also long apical teeth, 

 but the large size, very narrow meso- and metanota, ocelli distant from the eyes, 

 and the short-necked unarmed enteric valve of the worker all distinguish this genus. 

 There remain only Amicotermes and Asagarotermes with similar mandibles, both 

 distinguished by the characteristic enteric valve armature of the worker. In the 

 imago the former genus has smaller compound eyes than Acholotermes, and 

 Asagarotermes has narrower meso- and metanota. 



Keys to Species 

 Imagos 



1 Postclypeus relatively weakly inflated, Pcl/VV, 0-23-0-27 ..... 2 



- Postclypeus very strongly inflated, Pcl/W, 0-31-0-34 ...... 3 



2 Smaller, W, 0-84-0-90. Ocellus separated from compound eye by about half own 



least diameter, O w /0-E, 1-93-2-04. Apical teeth of mandibles shorter, La/Li, 

 0-72-0-82, Ra/Ri. i 05 . . . . . . . chirotus (p. 143) 



- Larger, W, 0-99-1-03. Ocellus separated from compound eyes by almost own least 



diameter, O w /0-E, 1-04-1-14. Apical teeth of mandibles longer, L A /Li, 0-91-1-04, 

 Ra/Ri, 1 -33-1 45 ......... tithasus (p. 149) 



3 Fontanelle short oval, about half diameter of ocellus, paler than head. Apical teeth 



of mandibles shorter, La/Li, 0-68-0-76, Ra/Ri, 0-92-0-99. Mesonotum narrower 



at constriction, M/W, 0-25-0-28 ....... epius (p. 144) 



- Fontanelle vestigial, minute, circular, coloured as head. Apical teeth of mandibles 



longer, La/Lj, 0-89-0-91. Ra/Ri, 1-13-1-24. Mesonotum wider at constriction, 

 M/W, 0-30-0-31 ......... imbellis (p. 148) 



Workers 



1 Fore tibia slender, Ti/T w , 5 - 25-5'30, third apical spur very small, one-quarter or less 

 length of other two. Apical teeth of mandibles shorter, L A /Li, 0-81-0-82. R A /Ri, 

 0-97-1-00. Mesenteric overlap at junction with proctodeum, length twice width 

 of mesenteron at insertion of malpighian tubules ... . epius (p. 144) 



- Fore tibia swollen, Ti/T w , 3-91-4-27, third apical spur one-third or more length of 



other two. Apical teeth of mandibles longer, La/Li, 0-89-1-07, Ra/Ri, 1-11-1-26. 

 Mesenteric junction with proctodeum nearly transverse, slightly angled only, no 

 overlap ............. 2 



