Amitermes amifer Silvestri, 1901

Rocha, Mauricio M. & Cancello, Eliana M., 2020, Comparative anatomy of the gut of the South American species of Amitermes, with description of two new species and an identification key based on soldiers and workers, Zootaxa 4751 (1), pp. 75-104 : 77-78

Amitermes amifer Silvestri, 1901

Soldier ( Figs. 1C, 1D , 3 A–D, 33A): Described originally by Silvestri (1901), with a generic description of the soldier and a very brief description of the imago, in Silvestri (1903) a more detailed description is provided (with figures), but a more useful redescription is provided by Light (1932). Additional illustrations, exemplifying the morphological variation of the caste, are provided here ( Figs. 3 A–D).

Gut anatomy ( Figs. 4 , 5A , 6A , 7A, 7B , 8A ): Crop asymmetrical, with oesophagous insertion displaced to left side, covered internally with pectinate scales before gizzard. Gizzard of the generalized type, with columnar and pulvillar belts subequal in length; first-order pulvilli conspicuous, with tiny pectinate scales, second-order pulvilli reduced ( Fig. 5A ). Stomodeal valve inserted in apex of mesenteron. Mesenteric tongue internal to mesenteric arch, filiform proximally and gradually enlarging to tip, ending before dilated portion of first proctodeal segment (P1) ( Figs. 4C, 4E ). P1 fusiform, crossing abdomen diagonally in dorsal view, over paunch (P3), inserted in P3 at right side of abdomen ( Fig. 4B , arrow); this insertion may be located more dorsally (occluded by P4 segment) or ventrally, depending on degree of gut repletion in the specimen. P1 cuticular ornamentation composed of sparse small spines around mesenteric tongue at mixed segment, followed by elongated area of spines with sclerotized base, located proximally ( Figs. 6A , 7A ), and sparse spines in distal portion, just before enteric valve ( Figs. 6A , 7B ). Enteric-valve armature (P2) weakly sclerotized, with six elongated cushions ornamented with small scattered spines ( Fig. 8A ). P3 well developed, globose. Isthmus clearly recognizable. Fourth proctodeal segment (P4) with short U-turn, located dorsally ( Fig. 4A ).

Material examined. BRAZIL. Alagoas. Murici: Usina Alegria , 17.ii.1971 , A.F.M. Filho (8388); Bahia. Capim Grosso : 21.vii.1974 , R.L. Araujo (5540, 5542); Itaberaba: Faz. Formosa, 04.xii.1990 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (15726); Maracás: Faz. Maria Inácia, 24.xii.1990 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (15724, 15729); Milagres: 18.ix.2010 , J. V.N. Lima, M. R. Giffoni & D.S.B. Sousa (14894), 16.iv.2010 , J. V.N. Lima, M. R. Giffoni & E.A. Alves (14895); Mucugê: 07.xii.1990 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (11367*, 15730, 15752); Santa Rita de Cassia : Riacho Veredão, 17.vii.1991 , C. R.F. Brandão (15725); Ceará. Crato: Chapada do Araripe, 09.xi.1975 , R.L. Araujo (6361), Floresta Nacional do Apodi , 09–10.xi.1975 , R.L. Araujo (6369, 6373, 6379, 6387*, 6456), Chapada do Araripe , 21.xii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (7247); Jaguaribe: 12.xi.1975 , R.L. Araujo (6399); Goiás. Niquelândia: 29.ix.1995 , B.H. Dietz, F. Silvestre & C. R.F. Brandão (10084), 16.xi.2013 , T.F. Carrijo (26378); Maranhão. 20 Km de Teresina , PI, 09.xii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (7143, 7150); Imperatriz: 12–20.xii.1972 , G.M.F. Oliveira (6280, 6327, 6337, 6342, 6347); Mato Grosso. Estrada Cuiabá-Porto Velho , 15.ii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (6539); Corumbá: Fazenda Santa Branca, 09.xii.1960 , K. Lenko (1180), Ladário , 29.x.1953 , R.L. Araujo (3952); Cuiabá: 16.ii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (6591), Coxipó, 14–17.ii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (6555, 6664, 6671, 6702); Várzea Grande : EMPA, 28.x.1984 , J.C. Trager (8596); Mato Grosso do Sul. Aquidauana : 16.iii.2012 , A. Abot (22432); Corumbá : 31.x.1953 , R.L. Araujo (3975); Ladário, 29.x.1953 , R.L. Araujo (3953), Urucum, 14–19.viii.1926 , K.P. Schmidt, (2734, 3445), 30– 31.x.1953, R.L. Araujo, (3970, 3974), 30–31.x.1953 , R.L. Araujo (3977, 3980); Porto Murtinho: 28.vii.2015 , R.G. Santos (24925); Minas Gerais. Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, 10–15.x.2012 , J.P. Constantini (26851), M.M. Rocha (16220, 16229, 16235, 16322), R.G. Santos (22202–22204, 22206); Capitão Enéas: 15.vii.1975 , R.L. Araujo (6071); Janaúba: 20.vii.1975 , R.L. Araujo (6107); Porteirinha: 21.vii.1975 , R.L. Araujo (6114); Pernambuco. Between Serra Talhada and Triunfo, 22.i.1980 , E.M. Cancello (8007), Serra das Russas , 13.vii.1974 , R.L. Araujo (5477), Between Lagoa Grande and Petrolina, 18.vii.1974 , R.L. Araujo (5514); Arcoverde: Instituto de Pesquisas Agronômicas ( IPA), 25/01/1980 , E.M. Cancello (7952, 7955, 7956); Igarassu : 10.viii.1947 , C. R. Gonçalves (4588); Petrolina: 18.vii.1974 , R.L. Araujo (5520); Salgueiro: 17.vii.1974 , R.L. Araujo (5505); Serra Talhada: Instituto de Pesquisas Agronômicas ( IPA), 23/01/1980 , E.M. Cancello (8015); Piauí. 12 km before Valença / PI, 08.xii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (7140), P. Nac. de Sete Cidades, 11–14.xii.1976 , R.L. Araujo, (7168, 7202); Canto do Buriti : 19–21.xi.1991 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (15770–15775); Corrente: Fazenda Maracujá, 24.xi.1991 , C. R.F. Brandão (15718), 23–27.xi.1991 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (15704–15717, 15719, 15720); Floriano: Fazenda Buriti Sol, 05–09.xi.1991 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (15762–15764, 15766–15768); Oeiras: Fazenda Talhada, 14–15.xi.1991 , E.M. Cancello & M. T. Pontes (15796–15802); Picos: xii.1976 , R.L. Araujo (7115, 7116), 07.xii.1976, (7128, 7130) ; Sergipe. Porto da Folha : 04–05.iv.2012 , A.B. V. Junior (16371, 16372) .

Fig. 9 shows the MZUSP collection records of A. amicki and A. amifer (See Discussion).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Soldiers in dorsal and lateral views: Amitermes amicki (A, B) and A. amifer (C, D).

FIGURE 3. Soldiers of four Amitermes amifer colonies from different localities in Brazil, showing morphological variations: MZUSP-26378 (A), MZUSP-6671 (B), MZUSP-7130 (C) and MZUSP-3952 (D).

FIGURE 4. Digestive tube of Amitermes amifer worker: dorsal (A), right (B), ventral (C) and left (D) views, detail of mesenteric tongue (E); arrow: insertion of P1 at P3.

FIGURE 5. Gizzard armatures: Amitermes amifer (A) and A. aporema (B).

FIGURE 6. Schematic drawing of the ornaments at the P1, the respective photomicrographs are indicated by the setae: Amitermes amifer (A), A. aporema (B), A. beaumonti (C) and A. excellens (D); MT: mesenteric tongue position, EV: enteric valve position.

FIGURE 7. P1 ornaments details: Amitermes amifer, spines at the proximal portion (A) and at the distal portion (B); A. aporema, spines after the mesenteric tongue (C); A. beaumonti, spines at the proximal portion (D) and at the distal portion (E); and A. excellens, spines at the proximal portion (F) and small spines around mesenteric tongue (G); MT: mesenteric tongue position.

FIGURE 8. Enteric-valve armatures: Amitermes amifer (A) and A. aporema (B, distal and C, proximal regions); arrows: apex of cushions.