Abstract
Gastrotermes spinatus gen. n. sp. n is described from workers of a single foraging group collected in Cameroon. This soil-feeding termite aligns with the Labidotermes subgroup (Apicotermes group) because of its non-protruding and symmetrical enteric valve armature, its short P1, and its globular P3a. An asymmetrical field of robust sclerotized spines at the opening of the P3a is unique among the other Labidotermes subgroup genera.
References
Donovan, S.E. (2002) A morphological study of the enteric valves of the Afrotropical Apicotermitinae (Isoptera: Termitidae). Journal of Natural History, 36 (15), 1823–1840.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00222930110062309
Coaton, W.G.H. (1971) Five new termite genera from south west Africa (Isoptera: Termitidae). Cimbebasia, Series A, 2 (1), 1–34.
Grassé, P.-P., & Noirot, C. (1954) Apicotermes arquieri (Isoptère): ses constructions, sa biologie. Considérations générales sur la sous-famille des Apicotermitinae nov. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Zoologie, 16 (3–4), 345–388, 5 pls.
Inward, D.J.G., Vogler, A.P. & Eggleton, P. (2007) A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of termites (Isoptera) illuminates key aspects of their evolutionary biology. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 44, 953–967.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2007.05.014
Johnson, R.A. (1979) Configuration of the digestive tube as an aid to identification of worker Termitidae (Isoptera). Systematic Entomology, 4 (1), 31–38.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1979.tb00609.x
Mathews, A.G.A. (1977) Studies on Termites from Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Academia Brasileira de Ciências, Rio de Janeiro, 267 pp.
Noirot, C. (1966) Description et affinités de deux nouveaux genres d’Amitermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae). Insectes Sociaux 13 (4), 329–345.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02222393
Noirot, C. (2001) The gut of termites (Isoptera). Comparative anatomy, systematics, phylogeny. I. Higher termites (Termitidae). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France, 37, 431–471.
Noirot, C. & Kovoor J. (1958) Anatomie comparée du tube digestif des termites. I. Sous-famille des “Termitinae.” Insectes Sociaux, 5 (4), 439–471, 3 pls.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02226857
Sands, W.A. (1972) The soldierless termites of Africa (Isoptera: Termitidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Entomology, 18 (Supplement), 1–244.
Sands, W.A. (1998) The identification of worker castes of termite genera from soils of Africa and the Middle East. CAB International, Wallingford, 500 pp.