Genuotermes spinifer Emerson

Rocha, Mauricio M., 2013, Redescription of the enigmatic genus Genuotermes Emerson (Isoptera, Termitidae, Termitinae), ZooKeys 340, pp. 107-117 : 112-113

Genuotermes spinifer Emerson Figs 1-24

Holotype.

One soldier deposited at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), from Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Serra do Urucum (Municipality of Corumbá), 14.viii.1926, K.P. Schmidt coll. (not examined).

Imago.

As for the genus (vide supra). Measurements. See Mathews (1977: 124).

Soldier.

As for the genus (vide supra). Measurements (mm): DMA: 1.05-1.40; CLM: 1.65-1.95; WH: 1.05-1.25; LH: 1.50-1.75; MWP: 0.68-0.93; LT: 0.85-1.00.

Worker.

As for the genus (vide supra).

Biology and habits.

Information about the life habits of Genuotermes is sparse and comes only from field notes of collectors. This species apparently lives in diffuse galleries in the soil, and is sometimes found in the nest of other termites ( Labiotermes leptothrix , Cornitermes cumulans and Cornitermes silvestrii ). They probably feed on humus in subterranean galleries. The morphology of the worker mandibles (humivorous type) and the finding of sand particles in the gut (personal observation) concord with this hypothesis.

Geographical distribution.

The records of Genuotermes spinifer presented here represent a significant extension of the previously known distribution. The species’ occurrence now includes different vegetation zones, the Brazilian Cerrado and the Amazon Forest.

Material examined.

BRAZIL. Amazonas: Itacoatiara, 04.xi.1977, A. Bandeira (7479); 23.v.1977 (8353). Goiás: Cana Brava (Faz. Itaúna), 07.v.1975, K. Kitayama (7310). Mato Grosso: Cuiabá (14 Km NW), 15.ii.1976, R.L. Araujo (6526); Cuiabá (Vale do Rio Mutuca), 06-10.viii.2009, S.P. Rosa (12643); Chapada dos Guimarães, 10.ii.1976, R.L. Araujo (6633, 6615); Cotriguaçu (-9.857; -58.413), 29.xi.2011, R.C. Paula (16352); Coxipó, 14.ii.1976, R.L. Araujo (6703); 18.ii.1976 (7217); 17.ii.1976 (6857); Serra do Roncador, ix–x.1968, A.G.A. Mathews (7400, 7399*). Pará: Belterra, 31.i.1949, C.R. Gonlçalvez (4306); Fordlândia, ii.1957, A.M. Almeida (8383). Piauí: Floriano, 5-12.xi.1991, E.M. Cancello and M.T. Ponte (10188); Sete Cidades, 14.xii.1976, R.L. Araujo (7194). Rondônia: Porto Velho (Hydroelectric Reservoir of Jirau, Mutum-Paraná, -9.607; -65.050), 26. ii– 13.iii.2010, T. Carrijo and R. Santos (13009); Porto Velho (UHE Santo Antônio, Jaci-Paraná, -9.4559; -64.388), 08.iv.2011, R. Santos and C. Mandai (16355); 09.ix.2011, R. Santos and J. Cabral (16253); 06.iii.2012, T. Carrijo and J. Cabral (16356); Porto Velho (UHE Santo Antônio, Jirau, -9.312; -64.726), 18.ix.2010, T. Carrijo and R. Santos (16354*).