Cryptotermes mobydicki Scheffrahn, 2025

Scheffrahn, Rudolf H., Buček, Aleš, Sillam-Dussès, David & Šobotník, Jan, 2025, Cryptotermes mobydicki (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae), an extraordinary new termite species from French Guiana, ZooKeys 1258, pp. 305-311 : 305-311

Cryptotermes mobydicki Scheffrahn sp. nov.

Diagnosis.

Among Cryptotermes soldiers worldwide, C. mobydicki is unique for the following characters: the head capsule is very long and narrow; the frontal flange and the frontal horns are absent; and, in dorsal view, the mandibles are greatly eclipsed by the extended frontal process (Fig. 1 ).

In the Bacchus (1987) key to Cryptotermes soldiers worldwide (at the time), the second couplet is amended as follows:

In the key to South American Cryptotermes soldiers (Scheffrahn and Vasconcellos 2023), the first couplet is amended as follows:

Description.

Imago unknown. Soldier (Fig. 1 A – D ). Head capsule, in dorsal view, black; elongate, narrowing to a blunt frontal process; a few setae along lateral margins. Frontal process and vertex embellished with wavy longitudinal rugosity. Occiput chestnut-brown, without rugosity. Pronotum yellowish orange; anterior margin darker, curving upward, weakly serrated; posterior and lateral margins evenly rounded with a few setae of variable lengths (Fig. 1 A ). In lateral view, frontal process curving slightly downward; eclipsing the mandible by about 1.4 × the length of entire head capsule. Frontal flange (cephalic ridge) absent. Genal horns with weak curvature below antennal sockets; frontal horns absent (Fig. 1 B ). In oblique view, mandibles horn-like, curving inwards. Frontal process with shallow incision (Fig. 1 C ), best seen in ventral aspect (Fig. 1 D ). Antennae with 11 articles; article formula 2> 3 = 4 <5. Measurements in Table 1 .

Type locality.

French Guiana, Petit Saut, near Sinnamary River ( 5.0684, -53.0429); 42 m a. s. l.; 11 Mar. 2016; D. Sillam-Dussès and J. Šobotník leg.

Type material.

Holotype: soldier, University of Florida Termite Collection ( UFTC) no. FG 1240 (in a separate vial with the remaining sample) (Fig. 1 ) . Paratypes: from the type locality, same data; 1 soldier and 10 pseudergates; UFTC no. FG 1240 .

Etymology.

Named after Moby Dick from Herman Melville’s classic novel. The lateral view of the soldier frontal process and elongate head (Fig. 1 B ) resembles the head of a sperm whale. Both organisms have mandibles eclipsed by the head, and the whale eye and soldier’s antennal socket are comparatively positioned.

Ecological note.

The small sample of Cryptotermes mobydicki sp. nov. colony was found in a dead standing tree (about 20 cm in diameter at chest height), near to its top, about 8 m above ground. Although it was recognized as potentially valuable sample, it was not possible to extract more material due to the wood hardness. Without the proper extraction tool (sharp hatchet per Scheffrahn et al. 2018), this sample would not have been accessible. The type locality is classified as tropical rainforest (Köppen-Geiger) with an annual precipitation of 275–300 cm.

Figures

Figure 1. Holotype soldier of Cryptotermes mobydicki sp. nov. (FG 1240), views of head and pronotum. A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; C. Oblique view; D. Ventral view. Arrows point to shallow incision of frontal process.