Isognathotermes phalloides Josens & Deligne, 2025

Josens, Guy, Deligne, Jean, Harry, Myriam, Roy, Virginie, Akama, Pierre D., Coulibaly, Tenon, Dosso, Kanvaly, Goergen, Georg, Hasson, Michel, Kasangij, Patrick Kasangij A, Kifukieto, Carmel, Ru, Bruno Le, Loko, Laura Estelle Yêyinou, Ndiaye, Abdoulaye Baila, Roisin, Yves, Sion, Noémie, Šobotnik, Jan, Stiblik, Petr, Kuenda, Soki Kue Di, Traoré, Saran, Viage, Manuela, Wango, Solange Patricia, Kaymak, Esra, Bourguignon, Thomas & Hellemans, Simon, 2025, An integrative revision of the genus Isognathotermes (Termitidae: Cubitermitinae) with description of seven new species and four new subspecies, European Journal of Taxonomy 1024, pp. 1-197 : 104-112

Isognathotermes phalloides Josens & Deligne sp. nov.

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Figs 26–31, 33, 54–56, distribution map: Fig. 53; Table 11

Diagnosis

This species is close to I. phallicaecalis sp. nov.; like the latter, its soldier and worker are characterised by a phalloid caecum, extended forward in a finger-like process that can be swollen distally or capped or crowned ( Figs 52, 56). The imago’s caecum, without being phalloid, is also more developed than in imagines of other species and takes the appearance of a forward-pointing comma.

Isognathotermes phallicaecalis sp. nov. and I. phalloides sp. nov. have morphologically similar soldiers, with a slight difference in the curvature of the mandibles ( Fig. 22); however, they come from different ecosystems: continental evergreen forest in the case of I. phallicaecalis , forest galleries in the case of I. phalloides .

The worker has a finitimus EVA and is among the smallest workers in the genus Isognathotermes ; its head is, on average, narrower than that of I. phallicaecalis sp. nov. ( Fig. 30).

The soldier can be distinguished from I. phallicaecalis sp. nov. by its shorter mandibles, SMlL = 1.99–2.36 mm (vs SMlL = 2.17–2.53 mm in I. phallicaecalis ); its EVA can generally be recognized as belonging to the finitimus pattern.

The imago is, on average and with I. fungifaber , the smallest in the genus Isognathotermes : IHdW = 1.38–1.54 mm ( Fig. 26).

This species is also defined by its ecology and chorology: all samples come from forest galleries south-east of the Congolian forests ( Fig. 53).

Etymology

The epithet phalloides from the Greek φαλλός ( phallos, phallus) and εἶδος ( eidos, like) refers to the caecum morphology in workers and soldiers.

Material examined

Fifty-two samples from 17 locations. Of the 46 old museum samples examined, six were initially labelled as C. fungifaber , three as C. fungifaber var. elongata , five as C. gibbifrons , and 32 as Cubitermes sp.

Holotype

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • soldier; Kondué ; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0087; initially C. gibbifrons in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059341.

Paratypes

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • soldier, worker, ♀ (alate), ♂ (alate); same data as for holotype; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059937 .

Other material examined

ANGOLA • soldier, worker; Quimucanda ; 8°5.14′ S, 15°7.43′ E; 27 Nov. 2024; J. Šobotnik leg.; study code: DJ 0971; BE RMCA INS. Iso. 059427 • soldier, worker; Quimucanda ; 8°5.14′ S, 15°7.43′ E; 27 Nov. 2024; J. Šobotnik leg.; study code: DJ 0972; BE RMCA INS. Iso. 059428 .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • soldier, worker, ♀ (alate), ♂ (alate); Kondué ; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0088; initially C. gibbifrons in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059342 • worker; Kondué ; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0089; initially C. gibbifrons in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059343 • soldier, worker, ♀ (alate), ♂ (alate); Kondué ; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0090; initially C. gibbifrons in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059344 • soldier, worker, ♀ (queen); Kondué ; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0095; initially Eutermes fungifaber in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059338 • worker, ♂ (alate); Kondué ; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0098; initially C. fungifaber var. elongata in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059339 • worker, ♀ (alate), ♂ (alate);; 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0099; initially C. fungifaber var. elongata in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059340 • worker, ♂ (alate); Kondué (?); 4°58′ S, 23°19′ E; ca 1905; E. Luja leg.; study code: DJ 0606; initially C. gibbifrons ; IEAP • soldier, worker, ♀ (alate); Bandundu ; 3°19′ S, 17°20′ E; 28 Aug. 1939; J. Ruelle leg.; study code: DJ 0879; initially C. fungifaber var. elongata in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059326 • soldier, worker, ♂ (king); Kinshasa Campus Lovanium ) [= Unikin]; 4°25′ S, 15°18′ E; 25 Feb. 1960; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ 0913; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059336 • soldier; Kinshasa Campus Lovanium ) [= Unikin]; 4°25.16′ S, 15°18.55′ E; 5 Mar. 1960; unknown leg.; study code: DJ B293; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS. Iso.059300 • soldier, ♀ (queen); Kenje ; 4°45′ S, 16°57′ E; 14 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ B299; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059332 • soldier; Route vers Sanda; 4°33.75′ S, 12°24.5′ E; 19 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ B314; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059311 • soldier; Route vers Sanda; 4°33.75′ S, 12°24.5′ E; 19 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ B315; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059312 • soldier, worker; Takundi ; 4°45′ S, 16°33′ E; 19 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ 0880; initially C. fungifaber in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059328 • soldier, worker; Takundi ; 4°45′ S, 16°33′ E; 19 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ 0883; initially C. fungifaber in RMCA; BE RMCA INS. Iso.059321 • soldier, worker; Takundi ; 4°45′ S, 16°33′ E; 19 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ 0884; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059322 • soldier, worker; Takundi ; 4°45′ S, 16°33′ E; 19 Apr. 1964; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ 0885; initially C. fungifaber in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059324 • soldier; Kimwenza ; 4°28.5′ S, 15°18.25′ E; 17 Mar. 1965; S. Kikomba leg.; study code: DJ B294; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059299 • soldier; Kinshasa Campus Lovanium ) [= Unikin]; 4°25.16′ S, 15°18.55′ E; 13 Mat. 1965; C. Nkakala leg.; study code: DJ B292; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059307 • soldier, worker, ♂ (king); Maluku ; 4°21′ S, 15°48′ E; 25 May 1967; C. Nkakala leg.; study code: DJ 0912; initially C. fungifaber in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059335 • soldier, worker, ♀ (queen); Ndjili ; 4°28′ S, 15°21′ E; 1 Feb. 1968; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ 0914; initially C. fungifaber in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059337 • soldier; Route vers Sanda; 4°33.5′ S, 15°24.5′ E; 19 Apr. 1969; G. Mathot leg.; study code: DJ B302; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059306 • soldier; Kinshasa Campus Lovanium ) [= Unikin]; 4°25.16′ S, 15°18.55′ E; 7 Aug. 1969; C. Nkakala leg.; study code: DJ B290; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059305 • soldier; Kinshasa Campus Lovanium ) [= Unikin]; 4°25.16′ S, 15°18.55′ E; 7 Aug. 1969; C. Nkakala leg.; study code: DJ B291; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059310 • soldier, ♂ (alate); Ndjili ; 4°24′ S, 15°25′ E; 5 Oct. 1970; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B296; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059327 • soldier, worker, ♀ (alate); Ndjili ; 4°27.22′ S, 15°20.6′ E; 5 Nov. 1970; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ 0909; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059325 • soldier; Ndjili ; 4°24′ S, 15°25′ E; 12 Jan. 1971; A. Wabo leg.; study code: DJ B297; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059144 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B275; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059303 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B276; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059308 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B277; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059309 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B282; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS. Iso.059313 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B283; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059315 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B285; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059318 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B286; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059319 • soldier; Luki ; 5°39′ S, 13°4′ E; 1 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B287; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059314 • soldier; Kiemi ; 5°32′ S, 12°49′ E; 2 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B308; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059316 • soldier; Kiemi ; 5°32′ S, 12°49′ E; 2 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ B309; initially Cubitermes 2 in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059317 • soldier, worker; Kiemi ; 5°16′ S, 12°34′ E; 2 Apr. 1971; A. Bouillon leg.; study code: DJ 0891; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059329 • soldier; Kenje ; 4°12′ S, 15°43′ E; 14 Juil. 1971; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ B300; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059301 • soldier, ♂ (king); Menkao ; 4°12′ S, 15°39′ E; 14 Jul. 1971; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ B298; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059323 • soldier; Menkao ; 4°12′ S, 15°43′ E; 14 Juil. 1971; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ B301; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059302 • soldier, worker, ♂ (king); Menkao ; 4°10′ S, 15°42′ E; 14 Jul. 1971; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ 0910; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059333 • soldier, worker, ♀ (queen); Menkao ; 4°10′ S, 15°42′ E; 14 Jul. 1971; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ 0911; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059334 • soldier; Kimwenza ; 4°29′ S, 15°18′ E; 20 Apr. 1973; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ B295; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059304 • soldier, worker; Itaanda (Popokabaka); 5°41′ S, 16°40′ E; 22 Apr. 1973; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ 0881; initially Cubitermes sp. in RMCA; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059330 • soldier, worker, ♂ (king), ♀ (queen); Itaanda (Popokabaka); 5°41′ S, 16°40′ E; 4 May 1973; P. Vincke leg.; study code: DJ 0882; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059331 • soldier, worker; Duale ; 4°20′ S, 16°5′ E; Jan. 2011; C. Kifukieto leg.; study code: DJ 0083; BE RMCA INS. Iso.059345 • soldier, worker; Duale ; 4°20′ S, 16°5′ E; Jan. 2011; C. Kifukieto leg.; study code: DJ 0141; BE RMCA INS.Iso.059346 • soldier, worker; Bombo-Luméné ; 4°25.94′ S, 16°2.83′ E; 22 Apr. 2017; C. Kifukieto leg.; study code: DJ 0459; GenBank nos MN646723 ( COI), MN685926 ( COII), MN685987 ( 28S), PQ679184 (mitogenome); BE RMCA INS.Iso.059320 .

Historical review

This species is described here. Although several samples were present in museum collections under the names of C. gibbifrons , C. fungifaber , or C. fungifaber var. elongata , the species was not recognized until Josens & Deligne (2019: 42–44) placed it within the finitimus valve pattern group.

Description

Imago

The description of the imagines is based on 14 Isognathotermes phalloides sp. nov. imagines ( five female alates, six male alates, two queens, and one king) from nine colonies; only nine individuals concerning the wings.

COLOUR. Head capsule: well sclerotised, very dark (C6–C8), paler in long preserved samples; fontanelle concolorous with or slightly paler than head capsule. Postclypeus C5–C7, often paler (one level) than head capsule. Antennae C4–C6. Thorax: pronotum C5–C7 as postclypeus, generally one level paler than head capsule; meso- and metanotum C5–C7. Legs C4–C5; tibia concolorous with or slightly (one level) darker than femur. Wings hyaline with brown to grey tinge (Cf2–Cf4), anterior veins darker. Abdomen: tergites C5–C6. Sternites appreciably paler in middle (C3–C4) with both sides darker (C4–C5); posterior sternites darker (C4–C5) than anterior.

SETATION. Head capsule, with some prominent setae set amongst a high density of short, fine setae forming a dense mat. Labrum and postclypeus with some prominent setae mixed with shorter ones. Antennae with some prominent setae, some more numerous smaller setae and, mainly distally on most articles, a bunch of very fine, bent setae (visible only at high magnification, 50 × or more). Thorax: pronotum with prominent setae mainly on margins and shorter ones in middle; meso- and metanotum with fine, pale setae, arranged in a medio-longitudinal strip, generally visible at 40 × or 80 ×; frequently some larger setae on the posterior lobe of metanotum. Legs very pilose, furnished (among numerous fine setae) with 8–10 stronger setae on fore coxa and 5–6 on trochanter; tibia pilose fore, mid, and hind tibia furnished with 20–30 spines and bearing 3, 2, 2 apical spurs and 0, 2, 0 subapical spurs respectively. Abdomen: tergites with many large and small setae. Sternites with long setae, erect or directed slightly forward, and many long and smaller setae directed backwards.

STRUCTURE (measurements in Table 11, Fig. 54). Size: the imagines of I. phalloides sp. nov. are among the smallest of the genus Isognathotermes ( Fig. 26). Head capsule: compound eyes nearly round; ocelli shortly oval to oval, removed from eyes by a distance about equal to 0.9–1.5 ocellus small diameter; fontanelle generally a tiny round or elongate marking. Antennae: 16 articles on alate individuals, shortened by amputation by three to four articles in queens and kings. Labrum: cupola shaped. Left mandible with apical tooth on average shorter than in most other species of the genus ( Fig. 27) but always more prominent than first marginal; marginal teeth three in number but second one only suggested by an undulation of edge between first and third marginal teeth; only the apical tooth is acute in unworn specimens; premolar tooth with proximal end obscured or partly obscured by molar prominence in dorsal view; molar tooth bearing a rounded molar prominence dorsally and ending posteriorly in a tiny acute apophysis. Right mandible with apical tooth always more prominent than first marginal; marginal teeth two in number; first marginal tooth well developed with a sharp tip when fresh; second marginal tooth smaller and with a blunt tip even when fresh; molar tooth bearing a ventral rounded flange and ending posteriorly in a kind of heel. Thorax: pronotum appreciably wider than long and narrower than head width (including the eyes), straight to very weakly sellate with anterior lobe short and very slightly elevated. Fore coxa flanged ventrally resulting in a carina. Wings: R1 fused entirely with costal margin, sclerotised; Rs simple, sclerotised; M and Cu not or weakly sclerotised with 2–4 and 9–12 branches, respectively.

Soldier COLOUR. Head capsule generally tending towards faded palette (Cf4–Cf5) becoming darker (e.g., Cf5–Cf6) in long preserved samples; there is always a gradient from a darker frons to a paler back, frequently abrupt giving in some cases the impression that the head capsule is bicolorous (as in Fig. 13). Antennae and labrum one or two levels paler than frons. Mandibles dark (C7–C8) generally with an abrupt clearing on their bases (two palette levels) which is generally paler than frons. Thorax and legs generally concolorous with head capsule (C3–C5) or somewhat paler. Abdomen grey to red-brown owing to digestive bolus, sometimes with a yellowish tinge on tergites.

SETATION. Head capsule with few scattered setae; on frons a dense bunch of setae surrounds and overhangs fontanelle. Antennae with some prominent setae, more numerous smaller setae and at distal extremity of distal articles, a bunch of very fine, bent setae (visible only at high magnification, 50 × or more). Labrum always with 4–5 large setae on each lobe. Thorax: pro- and mesonotum with a small number of setae mainly located on margins. Legs: fore coxa bears 4–7 spines on carina but none on ventral side; trochanter generally with 1–4 spines and some lined-up setae; fore, mid, and hind tibia bearing 3, 2, 2 apical spurs and 0, 2, 0 subapical spurs respectively and a row of 8–12 spines along their shaft. Abdomen: tergites with some large setae, mainly on their posterior margins. Sternites with long setae, erect or slightly directed forward, often coloured, and smaller setae directed backwards.

STRUCTURE (measurements in Table 11, Fig. 54). Size: the soldiers of I. phalloides sp. nov. are medium sized in the genus Isognathotermes ( Fig. 28). Head capsule: always clearly sclerotised, appreciably longer than wide. Dorsal view: lateral sides mostly subparallel with a narrowing (sometimes strong) near posterior fourth; from antennal sockets sides converge towards bases of mandibles; posterior side regularly rounded or sometimes with three short straight or even concave parts; upper profile concave. Angle between extended mandibles and frons always a little obtuse; frons generally without any anterior hump. Gulamentum in ventral view always constricted in its posterior half, with sides of anterior part forming an acute widening or a kind of ear on each side. Antennae: of 15, rarely 14, articles. Labrum: always deeply bifurcate and wider than long, with sides generally lyre-shaped; lobes angular, with fine, whitish or translucent tips; anterior margin concave. Mandibles: sabre-like with a medium-sized curvature in the genus Isognathotermes ; inner edges generally smooth with one distinct but very small marginal tooth, near molar tooth on each mandible; mandibles clearly shorter than head; entire surface of both mandibles smooth and glossy. Right mandible generally more curved than left. Thorax: pronotum sellate, as wide as 57–63% of head width, with generally entire anterior and posterior margins. Fore coxa flanged ventrally resulting in a sharp carina. Gut: enteric valve seating on left side, best seen in ventral view, situated in second half of abdomen. Caecum always rather well developed (as in the worker), best seen in ventral view, near centre of abdomen, as a typical finger-like process, extended forward and sometimes swollen distally or capped ( Figs 52, 56). Arrangement of enteric valve cushions showing trilateral symmetry, the odd cushions being about 20% longer than the even cushions, with a pilosity becoming abruptly very dense showing the place where a crest would be expected (in comparison with the worker’s EVA).

Worker

COLOUR. Head capsule pale (C1–C3) turning grey in long preserved samples. Antennae: proximal articles pale (C2–C3), distal articles always one to two levels darker (C4–C5). Thorax, nota, and legs pale (C1–C3). Abdomen grey to red-brown owing to digestive bolus.

SETATION. Head capsule and postclypeus with few, erect, scattered setae. Labrum with few, robust scattered setae. Antennae with some prominent setae, some more numerous smaller setae and at distal extremity of distal articles, a bunch of fine, bent setae (visible only at high magnification, 50 × or more). Thorax: nota with some scattered setae. Legs: fore coxa always carinated, bearing one fine seta and furnished with 3–6 spines on carina and 0–3 on ventral side; fore trochanter with 5–7 spines; fore, mid, and hind tibia bearing 3, 2, 2 apical spurs and 0, 2, 0 subapical spurs respectively and a row of 8–15 spines. Abdomen: tergites with scattered setae. Sternites with long setae, erect or slightly directed forward, often coloured, and smaller setae directed backwards.

STRUCTURE (measurements in Table 11, Fig. 55). Size: the workers of I. phalloides sp. nov. are small sized in the genus Isognathotermes ( Fig. 30). Head capsule: weakly sclerotised (except mandibles).

Antennae of 14–14.5 articles. Labrum: cupola shaped. Left mandible: apical tooth well developed with a sharp tip when fresh; marginal teeth three in number, first marginal tooth well developed but with a blunt tip even when fresh, second marginal tooth faint (visible as an undulated edge and disappearing in worn mandibles), third marginal tooth with a blunt tip; premolar tooth with its proximal end partly hidden under molar prominence; molar tooth bearing a rounded molar prominence dorsally and ending posteriorly in a tiny acute apophysis. Right mandible: apical tooth well developed with a sharp tip when fresh; marginal teeth two in number; first marginal tooth well developed with a sharp tip when fresh; second marginal tooth smaller and with a blunt tip even when fresh; molar tooth bearing a ventral rounded flange and ending posteriorly in a kind of heel. Thorax: pronotum sellate, as wide as 66–73% of head width. Fore coxa flanged ventrally resulting in a sharp carina. Gut: enteric valve seating on left side, best seen in ventral view, situated in second half of abdomen. Arrangement of enteric valve cushions of the finitimus pattern with triradial symmetry: the odd PCs, in their downstream part, bear a higher density of rather short bristles on a globular bulge ( finitimus EVA , Fig. 5); supporting bristles are numerous: 19–32 on each side of the odd PCs; secondary cushions are wide at the upstream end, narrowing noticeably downstream with a homogeneous spine scattering. Caecum always rather well developed, best seen in ventral view, near centre of abdomen, as a typical finger-like process, extended forward and sometimes swollen distally or seeming to be capped ( Fig. 56).

Chorology-ecology

This species is linked with the forest galleries of the south-western Congolian forest savanna mosaic ecoregion ( Fig. 53).

Molecular data

Herein, one mitogenome of I. phalloides sp. nov. is published alongside this work (GenBank accession: see Supp. file 3 and ‘Material examined’).

The representative of I. phalloides sp. nov. exhibited a dissimilarity of up to 2.26% with samples of I. phallicaecalis sp. nov. – the other species exhibiting a phalloid caecum –, and up to 2.43% with samples of I. similifinitimus sp. nov. (see Supp. file 4).

This sample was previously published under the label “phal” (DJ 0459), inserted within the species I. severus based on a phylogeny reconstructed from the COII gene ( Hellemans et al. 2021). Herein, the same sample was re-sequenced for its mitogenome. The phylogeny based on COII extracted from mitogenomes again placed this sample within the species I. severus (Supp. file 2). However, the phylogenetic reconstruction from full mitogenomes places this species as sister to a clade containing finitimus + minitabundus + ugandensis + severus ( Fig. 33), with low support values (SH-aLRT = 70.7; UFB = 82). Further analyses leveraging more samples and nuclear loci will be required to better ascertain its phylogenetic position.