Coptotermes pamuae Snyder, 1925

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

Coptotermes pamuae Snyder, 1925 Figs 22-2531

Coptotermes pamuae Snyder, 1925: 402.

Material examined.

Paratype soldier from type colony:SOLOMON ISLANDS:San Cristobal: Pamua, viii.1916 (W.M. Mann) (AMNH). PAPUA NEW GUINEA:National Capital: UPNG campus, 04.xii.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1338); Central: Varirata National Park, 06.xii.1988 (YR & Phille P. Daur) (#PNGT1348); Fly: Morehead, 27.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1466); Wipim, 30.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1486).

Imago.

Unknown.

Soldier.

(Figs 22-25). Soldiers of medium size. Head elongated, egg-shaped, slightly larger posteriorly than anteriorly, covered by about 30 setae. Fontanelle narrow, with opening directed forward. Antennae generally with 13 articles, sometimes with 14 articles. Pronotum short and narrow, covered by about 40 setae. Mandibles elongated, slightly curved at tip. Measurements (mm) of 1 paratype and 12 soldiers from 4 colonies (parentheses): HLF: 1.28 (1.11-1.27); HLL: 1.70 (1.58-1.79); HW: 1.12 (1.00-1.10); PL: 0.41 (0.31-0.44); PW: 0.79 (0.63-0.74); RML: 0.77 (0.89-0.98); MPW: 0.37 (0.28-0.32); T3L: 0.82 (0.92-1.08).

Comparisons.

This species is closely related and imperfectly separated from Coptotermes grandiceps . However, the size and morphological differences between the two species are high enough to retain them as distinct taxa, even though some individuals cannot be unambiguously assigned. The same was already observed in the related Australian species Coptotermes acinaciformis Froggatt, which is believed to form a species complex ( Brown et al. 1990). The main criteria differentiating Coptotermes pamuae from Coptotermes grandiceps are its smaller soldiers with less hairy pronotum and less curved mandibles.

Distribution.

(Fig. 31). This species, originally described from the Solomon Islands, was only collected in southern Papua New Guinea (Fly savannas and the Port Moresby region).