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Issue: Vol. 5633 No. 1: 9 May 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-05-09
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5633.1.11
Page range: 186-194
Abstract views: 167
PDF downloaded: 11

Tucupitermes, the largest Apicotermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae) from the Amazon Rainforest

Coordenação de Biodiversidade-COBio; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA; Av. André Araújo; 2936; Petrópolis; 69083-000; Manaus; AM; Brazil
Department of Soil Science; Federal University of Paraná; Curitiba; PR 80035-050; Brazil
Coordenação de Biodiversidade-COBio; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA; Av. André Araújo; 2936; Petrópolis; 69083-000; Manaus; AM; Brazil
Coordenação de Biodiversidade-COBio; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA; Av. André Araújo; 2936; Petrópolis; 69083-000; Manaus; AM; Brazil
Department of Soil Science; Federal University of Paraná; Curitiba; PR 80035-050; Brazil; Embrapa Florestas; Colombo; PR 83411-000; Brazil
Cardiff University; Cardiff CF103AT; United Kingdom
Centre for Functional Ecology; Associate Laboratory TERRA; Department of Life Sciences; University of Coimbra; 3000-456 Coimbra; Portugal
Coordenação de Biodiversidade-COBio; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA; Av. André Araújo; 2936; Petrópolis; 69083-000; Manaus; AM; Brazil
Isoptera Soldierless termites Digestive tube morphology Enteric valve Soil-feeding termites

Abstract

Soldierless termites of the Apicotermitinae remain one of the least studied groups in termite taxonomy, particularly within the Amazon Rainforest, a biodiversity hotspot. This study introduces Tucupitermes ubixaba Almeida-Azevedo, Acioli & Azevedo gen. et sp. nov., the largest Apicotermitinae in the Amazon Rainforest and a new monotypic genus distinguished by unique morphological traits, including an elongated stomodeal valve, Malpighian ampullae developed, a long mesenteric tongue, and small bilobed seating. These features were documented through detailed analyses of the external and internal morphology of the worker caste. The discovery of this genus not only fills a critical gap in the taxonomy of Apicotermitinae but also provides new insights into the diversity and ecological adaptations of soldierless termites in the Amazon.

 

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How to Cite

Almeida-Azevedo, R., Acioli, A.N.S., Heleodoro, R., Morais, J.W.D., Brown, G.G., Kille, P., Cunha, L. & Azevedo, R.A.D. (2025) Tucupitermes, the largest Apicotermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae) from the Amazon Rainforest. Zootaxa, 5633 (1), 186–194. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5633.1.11