Coptotermes grandiceps Snyder, 1925

Bourguignon, Thomas & Roisin, Yves, 2011, Revision of the termite family Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) in New Guinea, ZooKeys 148, pp. 55-103 : 62-63

Coptotermes grandiceps Snyder, 1925 Figs 16-2130

Coptotermes grandiceps Snyder 1925: 401.

Coptotermes solomonensis Snyder 1925: 403 (synonymised by Hill 1942: 153).

Coptotermes obiratus Hill 1927: 17, new synonymy.

Coptotermes solomonensis Hill 1927: 19 (junior primary homonym of Coptotermes solomonensis Snyder; synonymised by Hill 1942: 153).

Coptotermes froggatti Light and Davis 1929: 62 (synonymised by Hill 1942: 153).

Material examined.

Topotype:SOLOMON ISLANDS: Tulaghi (as Tulagi), iii.1933 (R.A. Lever) (AMNH). Holotype of Coptotermes obiratus :PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Central: Waima, vii.1922 (G.F. Hill) (NMVA).

Other materials.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Oro: Mambare River, 27.iv.1922 (G.F. Hill) (NMVA). Fly: Morehead, 25.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1447); Wipim, 30.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1488); Lake Murray, 22.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1561); Lake Murray, 25.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1594); Nomad, 31.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1627); Nomad, 02.vi.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1651); Central: Subitana plantation, 24.xi.1962 (AE), in stump of rubber tree (AMNH); Sirinumu Dam, 06.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT916); Sirinumu Dam, 08.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT929); Varirata National Park, 06.xii.1988 (YR & Phille P. Daur) (#PNGT1346); National Capital: 2 km E Port Moresby,18.xi.1962 (AE), from log in dry eucalypt savanna (AMNH); 8 km E Port Moresby, 16.xi.1962 (AE), under log in eucalypt savanna (AMNH); 8 km E Port Moresby, 18.xi.1962 (AE), from dead log in ravine woods in savanna (AMNH); 10 km NW Port Moresby, 20.xi.1962 (AE), from log on ground in eucalypt savanna (AMNH); 19 km NW Port Moresby, 22.xi.1962 (AE), from fallen log in savanna (AMNH); INDONESIA: Papua: Pusppenssat-IrJa, 13.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT17).

New synonymy.

In his revision of termites from Australia, Hill (1942) mentioned that soldiers of Coptotermes grandiceps and Coptotermes obiratus are morphologically indistinguishable, the two species being potential synonyms. After examining material of the two species, we reached the same conclusion and therefore consider Coptotermes obiratus as a junior synonym of Coptotermes grandiceps .

Imago.

(Figs 16-17).Head moderately hairy. Pronotum covered by many setae of medium size. Antennae with 20 articles. Measurements (mm) of 6 imagoes from one colony: TBL: 6.08-7.55; HLC: 1.19-1.27; HWE: 1.33-1.41; PL: 0.73-0.82; PW: 1.23-1.29; FWL: 9.97-10.61; ED: 0.31-0.42.

Soldier.

(Figs 18-21). Soldiers of large size. Head elongated, larger posteriorly than anteriorly, covered by about 30 setae. Fontanelle narrow, with opening directed frontally, not visible from above. Antennae generally with 15 articles, sometimes with 14 articles. Pronotum wide, moderately long, covered by about 60 setae. Mandibles elongated, curved at tip. Measurements (mm) of holotype of Coptotermes obiratus , 1 soldier from the type colony of Coptotermes grandiceps [brackets], and27 soldiers from 9 colonies (parentheses): HLF: 1.53 [1.52] (1.21-1.44); HLL: 2.17 [2.19] (1.89-2.20); HW: 1.38 [1.31] (1.17-1.33); PL: 0.51 [0.50] (0.40-0.56); PW: 0.97 [0.95] (0.79-1.00); RML: 1.17 [1.24] (1.03-1.15); MPW: 0.48 [0.42] (0.31-0.46); T3L: 1.22 [n.a.] (1.07-1.21).

Comparisons.

This species is closely allied to Coptotermes pamuae from which it can be distinguished by its larger soldiers with more curved mandibles.

Distribution.

(Fig. 30). Coptotermes grandiceps , originally described from the Solomon Islands, occurs in southern New Guinea and the Papuan peninsula.