Parvitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in Central America: Two new termite species and reassignment of Nasutitermes mexicanus

By

Scheffrahn, Rudolf

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2016

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

617

Pages

47-63

Subjects

enteric valve armature , Neotropics , new combination , soldier key , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.617.10040

 

Abstract

The termite genus Parvitermes is now recognized on the Central American mainland to include P. mexicanus, new combination (previously in Nasutitermes) and two new species, P. mesoamericanus sp. n. and P. yucatanus sp. n., herein described from soldiers and workers. These three species, nine West Indian Parvitermes, and Antillitermes subtilis all share characteristic enteric valve spines that orientate against intestinal flow. All species are subterranean nesters and cellulose feeders. Evidence is mounting that generic-level endemicity may be completely absent among the West Indian nasutitermitine fauna and that its origins stem from Central America.