Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana 2022, n. gen

Autor: Amina, Poovoli, Rajmohana, Keloth, Dinesh, K. P., Asha, Gopalan
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
ISSN: 9647-1999
0266-4674
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6310648
Popis: Genus Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 8C629647-1999-45D7-BAB7-F16A1C792D1C TYPE- SPECIES. ��� Rinacapritermes silvius Amina & Rajmohana, n. sp. MORPHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS. ��� Soldier. Soldiers with antennae 15 segmented, labrum with substraight anterior margin equipped with broad-based, robust and long antero-lateral points. Frons sharply inclining in front, fontanelle transverse and frontal gland large, postmentum club-shaped, pronotum saddle-shaped, anterior margin convex, without notch. Worker. Worker caste with 14-15 segmented antennae and mandibles with apical tooth slightly larger than first marginal. Second marginal of left mandible not distinct, third marginal rudimentary or just as an impression of tooth, not separated from first marginal by any cut or notch; small, tooth-like process partially visible on the underside of the left molar plate. Digestive tube characterised by the presence of a mixed segment and the absence of malpighian nodule, with both pairs of malpighian tubules united at common base. Enteric valve cushions acutely triangulate and median longitudinal area of each cushion with uniformly distributed small spine-like protrusions (Fig. 3E). DNA BARCODE DIAGNOSIS. ��� A total of 28 mt COI sequences were generated from the Western Ghats representing multiple species under nine genera for the first time (Appendix 1). On the preliminary phylogenetic tree multiple sequences of monophyletic group representing at least two species is treated as a new genus Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. with an unresolved sister relationship among the other genera of the larger ��� Termitinae clade��� (Fig. 4). Members of the Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. is genetically distinct from the morphologically similar genus Indocapritermes (Fig. 4). The new genus exhibited a high-level genetic divergence of 10.7% to 13.7%, for mt COI with the genus Indocapritermes (Appendix 3). ETYMOLOGY. ��� The genus name ��� Rinacapritermes ���, is the combination of name ���Rina��� and ���capritermes���. ���Rina��� refers to the first author���s daughter and ���capritermes��� refers to the morphological similarity with Capritermes Wasmann, 1897 group. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION (Fig. 5). ��� The Western Ghats from Wayanad, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts (Kerala state, India). BIOECOLOGY. ��� Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. species are soil dwellers. All samples in the present study were collected from underneath small boulders. The concavity and the rudimentary ridges of the molar plate of right mandible of worker caste (Figs 1F; 2F) indicate their humus/organic rich soil feeding habit of type III feeding group (De Souza & Brown 1994). The soldier abdomen has a hyaline appearance, indicating that they are fed with salivary secretions only (Scheffrahn et al. 2017). Since they are not wood feeders, they are not categorised as pests. Their presence in multiple localities ranging from low (26 m asl.) to high elevations (910 m asl) indicates that they do not have any strict elevational preferences. Among the two species, the samples of R. silvius Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. were collected from the forest area while R. abundans Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. from tea and rubber plantations. DESCRIPTION Imago Not known. Soldier Head capsule. Monomorphic, small; head moderately and body fairly hairy. In dorsal view head subrectangular; broad; antero-lateral corners of head rounded, without any tuberclelike process. Frontal gland large and median arm of Y-suture distinct only at posterior part of head capsule; in profile, frons sharply inclining in front; fontanelle transverse. Antennae with 15 segments. Labrum not swollen; asymmetrical, anterior margin substraight with broad based, robust and long antero-lateral points or spine-like processes. Mandibles asymmetrical and thick; left mandible strongly twisted at middle, with blunt apex, tip without any hook, not beak-like; basal projection sharply pointed. Right mandible blade-like with pointed apex, facing upwards; inner margin of right mandible incurved at middle region and with a deep cut at basal half; postmentum club-shaped. Pronotum. Saddle-shaped; anterior lobe raised, narrower and smaller than posterior lobe; anterior margin convex; posterior margin substraight; anterior and posterior margin without any notch. Mesonotum and metanotum narrower than pronotum. Legs with 3:2:2 apical tibial spurs; dorsal spur of foretibia sometimes indistinct; tarsi 4-segmented. Worker Head capsule. Monomorphic; head and body densely hairy. In dorsal view head subcircular, maximum width of head capsule at base of antennae. Fontanelle plate translucent and round. Antennae with 14-15 segments. Postclypeus swollen. Left mandible. Apical tooth slightly larger than first marginal. Posterior margin of apical tooth concave; second marginal not distinct (M2); third marginal rudimentary (M3) or just as an impression of tooth, not separated from first marginal by any cut or notch; small, tooth-like process partially visible on the underside of the left molar plate; molar plate large and extending upto first marginal. Right mandible. Apical tooth finger-like and larger than first marginal (M1); posterior margin of first marginal a little longer than anterior margin; second marginal (M2) short and with incurved posterior margin; molar plate longer than posterior margin of second marginal, without any ridges; cockroach notch present. Pronotum. Saddle-shaped. Legs with 3:2:2 apical tibial spurs, dorsal spur sometimes absent or indistinct; fore tibia swollen. Digestive tube (Fig. 3 A-D). Crop (C) globose, voluminous and partially visible in dorsal view in coiled condition, funnelling into a poorly sclerotized gizzard. Mixed segment (MS) present. Both pairs of malpighian tubules united at common base; malpighian nodule absent. First part of proctodeal segment (P1) starting from the right side of abdomen, tubular and short. Posterior part narrow and running into paunch (P3) through narrow enteric valve (P2). P2 inserted into paunch (P3). Paunch J-shaped, composed of 2 parts. Region of attachment of enteric valve remaining separated by constriction. Posterior part of paunch narrowing progressively and opening into long and narrow tube-like colon with a U-turn at anterior side and P4 leading to very large bulbous rectum (P5). Enteric valve armature (Fig. 3E). Thin, composed of six acutely triangulate cushions; acute points of cushions directed to posterior. Median longitudinal area of each cushion covered with uniformly distributed and small spine-like protrusions. Each cushion separated by cuticular lining having similar but larger and more widely spaced protrusions. REMARKS In the key to Indian genera of Termitinae (Chhotani 1997), the proposed new genus runs to serial number 17, leading to Indocapritermes. In the key to common genera of Termitidae found in South India (Kalleshwaraswamy et al. 2013), this genus also keys to Indocapritermes, at serial number 9. However, it does not fit the description of Indocapritermes. The soldiers of Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. have antennae with 15 segments vs 14 segments in Indocapritermes; anterior margin of labrum is substraight with broad based, robust and long, antero-lateral points in the new genus vs labrum with narrow based, short, thin and minute lateral points in the latter; comparing to head length, left mandible of new genus is somewhat longer, thinner and tip not broadly rounded vs shorter, thick with broadly rounded tip; apical blade of right mandible pointed and facing upwards in Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. (Fig. 7C) vs not much pointed and substraight in Indocapritermes (Fig. 7D). Anterior lobe of pronotum in new genus is slightly raised with strongly convex anterior margin and without any notch vs anterior lobe not raised with slightly convex to substraight anterior margin and with a weak median notch in latter; posterior margin substraight, not emarginate and without any notch in proposed new genus vs slightly convex, faintly emarginate and with a weak notch. The workers also differ in having antennae with 14-15 segments in the new genus vs 13-14 segments in Indocapritermes; a small, tooth-like process partially visible on the underside of the left molar plate in new genus, while this tooth-like process is absent in Indocapritermes. The shape of the antero-lateral points of labrum in soldier caste also help to separate this genus from the rest of other genera under Pericapritermes -group found in India (Fig. 6) The proposed new genus has the posterior margin of the right second marginal of the worker mandible (M2) incurved (Figs 1F; 2F), the digestive gut without a malpighian nodule and P1 is short and tubular, as seen in Pericapritermes -group (Noirot 2001; Krishna et al. 2013). Hence based on the worker mandible structure and the gut morphology, Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. is placed in Pericapritermes - group, though their soldiers are with 15 segmented antennae, in spite of their usual 14 segments. . Acknowledgements KEY TO THE SPECIES OF RINACAPRITERME S AMINA & RAJMOHANA, N. GEN. ��� Comparatively smaller: Head length to the base of mandibles 1.48-1.55 mm; maximum head width 1.06- 1.10 mm. Postmentum short and a little wider at waist (postmentum length 0.71-0.79 mm; postmentum contraction index 0.48-0.54 mm)................. Rinacapritermes abundans Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. ��� Comparatively larger: Head length to the base of mandibles 1.60-1.66 mm; maximum head width 1.17-1.24 mm. Postmentum long and a little narrower at waist (postmentum length 0.85-0.89 mm; postmentum contraction index 0.39-0.45 mm)......................................... Rinacapritermes silvius Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. Rinacapritermes silvius Amina & Rajmohana n. sp. (Figs 1; 3; 7A; Table 1) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 8C629647-1999-45D7-BAB7-F16A1C792D1C TYPE MATERIAL. ��� Holotype (Soldier). India ��� Kerala, Ernakulam, Urulanthanni (Thattekadu Bird Sanctuary); 10��7���41���N, 76��45���18���E; 5.I.2015; Amina Poovoli leg.; Colony code:ZSI/WGRC/IR/INV/4610. Paratypes (12 soldiers, 10 workers). India ��� 10 soldiers, same data as for holotype ��� 10 workers; same data as for holotype ��� 2 soldiers; Kerala, Idukki (Thekkady, in Periyar Tiger Reserve); 9��27���43���N, 77��14���12���E; 6.IV.2013; K. Rajmohana & party leg.; Colony code: ZSI/ WGRC /IR/INV/4611. Sequenced specimens. Same as paratypes. ETYMOLOGY. ��� The species epithet name is derived from the latin term ���silvius��� meaning forest as the new species was predominant in forested habitat. DNA BARCODE. ��� Rinacapritermes silvius Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. is showing sister relationship with Rinacapritermes abundans n. sp. exhibiting genetic divergence of 7.3% to 8.3% for COI gene (Fig. 4). Both the species can easily be distinguished morphologically (see key below) and both the species type localities are isolated in range of distribution (Fig. 5). DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA. ��� From two adjoining districts of Kerala (Ernakulam and Idukki); could be a limited-range endemic species restricted to south of Palghat Gap. DESCRIPTION Imago Not known Soldier (Fig. 1 A-E; Table 1) Monomorphic. Head capsule pale yellowish brown; fontanelle gland area pale yellow; antennae paler than head; labrum translucent at arterial and lateral part and pale yellow on rest; left mandible blackish brown; right mandible reddish brown; legs and body whitish yellow. Head Capsule. Moderately hairy with long and a few short hairs. Antennal segments with long and short hairs on entire surface; labrum with a few hairs on anterior part; postmentum with a very few short hairs at distal third. Anterior margin of pronotum with 5-8 long hairs. Body densely hairy with long hairs; legs covered with long hairs, more concentrated at last tarsal segments. Head capsule in dorsal view. Subrectangular; sides substraight, slightly narrowing at anterior end; minimum width being at base of mandibles; posterior margin rounded. Frons sharply inclining in front; median suture of head short, extending up to 1/4 of head-length from posterior margin; fontanelle transverse, situated anteriorly at distal 1/5 of head; fontanelle gland large, extending beyond middle of head. Antennae with 15 segments; segment 2 longer than 3; segment 4 slightly longer than or sometimes subequal to 3; segment 3 sometimes shortest; 5-10 gradually increasing in length and remaining segments subequal. Labrum slightly asymmetrical; anterior margin substraight with broad based, robust and long antero-lateral points. Mandibles strongly asymmetrical; left mandible strongly twisted at middle; with blunt apex. Right mandible blade-like with sharp, pointed apex, facing upward; inner margin of right mandible incurved at middle region; apical blade substraight. Postmentum club-shaped; length more than 1/2 of head length; with a narrow waist lying posteriorly. Title. Pronotum saddle-shaped, anterior and posterior margin without any notch. Legs with 3:2:2 apical tibial spurs; outer spur not very distinct. Abdomen. Elongated; cerci short; 2 segmented. Worker (n = 5) Monomorphic. Head capsule, antennae, postclypeus whitish yellow; thorax and legs paler than head; abdomen translucent with intestinal contents showing through. Head capsule moderately hairy with many long and short hairs, post clypeus with long hairs and body sparsely hairy with a few long hairs and very short hairs. Total body length 3.9-4.40 mm. Head. Subcircular; length to tip of labrum 1.13-1.23 mm, length to base of mandible 0.68-0.76 mm and maximum width 0.88-0.92 mm; width of head capsule widest at base of mandibles. Epicranial suture slightly distinct; fontanelle plate translucent and oval. Antennae with 14-15 segments; segment 3 shortest; segment 2 longer than 3 and 4. Postclypeus swollen; almost straight anteriorly and rounded posteriorly; length less than half of width (length 0.19-0.22 mm; width 0.45-0.47 mm). Mandible (Fig. 1F). As for genus. Digestive tube. As for genus. Pronotum. Saddle-shaped (length 0.24-0.26 mm; width 0.48-0.53 mm); anterior and posterior lobe without notch. Legs with 3:2:2 apical tibial spurs; dorsal spur of foretibia at times indistinct; foretibia somewhat swollen. REMARKS Dorsal spur of fore tibia is sometimes indistinct. So both the 3:2:2 and 2:2:2 conditions are seen in the soldiers as well as the workers of the same colony. Rinacapritermes abundans Amina & Rajmohana, n. sp. (Figs 2; 7C; Table 2) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 976E00D3-6BC8-4B67-83A3-90778E454A45 TYPE MATERIAL. ��� Holotype (soldier). India ��� Kerala, Kottayam (Changanasseri- Kadamanchira); 9��35���29���N, 76��31���19���E; 13.III.2015; Amina Poovoli leg.; Colony code: ZSI/WGRC/IR/INV/4612. Paratypes. India ��� 10 workers, 6 soldiers; with same data as for holotype ��� 4 soldiers, 10 workers; Kerala, Kozhikode (Balussery- Narayamkulam); 11��30���14���N, 75��48���58���E; 2.I.2015; Amina Poovoli leg.; Colony code: ZSI/ WGRC /IR/INV/4613 ��� 4 soldiers, 8 workers; Kerala, Wayanad (Vythiri); 11��33���6���N, 76��2���25���E; 1.VIII.2015; Shilimol; Colony code: ZSI/ WGRC /IR/INV/4944 ��� 3 soldiers, 5 workers; Kerala, Wayanad (Thalappuzha); 11��50���25���N, 75��56���57���E; 29.VII.2015; Shilimol; Colony code: ZSI/ WGRC /IR/INV/4945. Sequenced specimens. Same as paratypes. ETYMOLOGY. ��� The species epithet name is derived from the latin term ���abundans��� meaning abundant, as the population of the new species is seen to be abundant across the known range of distribution. DNA BARCODE. ��� Rinacapritermes abundans Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. is a member of the larger ��� Rinacapritermes clade��� showing sister relationship with Rinacapritermes silvius Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen., n. sp. exhibiting medium to high genetic divergence of 7.3% to 8.3% for COI gene (Fig. 4). Both species can easily be distinguished morphologically (see key below) and the type localities of both species are isolated in range of distribution (Fig. 5). DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA. ��� Could be a narrow-range endemic species, known from central as well as southern Western Ghats of Kerala (Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kottayam). DESCRIPTION Imago Not known Soldier (Fig. 2; Table 2). Monomorphic. Head capsule yellow; fontanelle gland area pale yellow; antennae paler brown; labrum translucent; left mandible blackish brown; right mandible reddish brown; legs and body whitish yellow. Head capsule. Moderately hairy with many long and a few short hairs. Antennal segments with long and short hairs on entire surface; labrum with a few hairs on anterior part; postmentum with a very few hairs on entire surface. Anterior margin of pronotum with 5-8 long hairs. Body densely hairy with long hairs; legs covered with long hairs, more concentrated at last tarsal segments. Head subrectangular. Sides substraight; posterior margin rounded. Frons sharply inclining in front; median suture of head very short, only at posterior margin of head capsule; fontanelle transverse, situated anteriorly at distal 1/5 of head; fontanelle gland large, extending beyond middle of head. Antenna 15 segmented; segment 2 longer than 3; segment 4 shorter than 2 and slightly longer than 3; segment 3 shortest; 5-10 gradually increasing in length and remaining segments subequal. Labrum slightly asymmetrical; anterior margin substraight with broad based, robust and long antero-lateral points. Mandibles strongly asymmetrical; left mandible strongly twisted at middle; with blunt apex. Right mandible blade-like with sharp, pointed apex, facing upward; inner margin of right mandible incurved at middle region; apical blade substraight. Postmentum club-shaped; with a narrow waist lying posteriorly. Pronotum. Saddle-shaped, anterior and posterior margin without any notch. Legs with 3:2:2 apical tibial spurs. Abdomen oblong; cerci short; 2 segmented. Worker (n = 5) Monomorphic. Head capsule, antennae whitish yellow; postclypeus pale brown, thorax and legs paler than head; abdomen translucent with intestinal contents showing through. Head capsule moderately hairy with many long and short hairs, post clypeus with long hairs and body sparsely hairy with a few long hairs and very short hairs. Total body length 3.70-4.20 mm.
Published as part of Amina, Poovoli, Rajmohana, Keloth, Dinesh, K. P. & Asha, Gopalan, 2022, Integrative taxonomic studies on Rinacapritermes Amina & Rajmohana, n. gen. (Blattodea: Isoptera: Termitidae) with two new species from India, pp. 109-124 in Zoosystema 44 (3) on pages 111-122, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2022v44a3, http://zenodo.org/record/6080151
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