Schedorhinotermes translucens (Haviland, 1898)

Bourguignon, Thomas & Roisin, Yves, 2011, Revision of the termite family Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) in New Guinea, ZooKeys 148, pp. 55-103 : 76-79

Schedorhinotermes translucens (Haviland, 1898) Figs 75-8183

Termes translucens Haviland 1898: 394.

Rhinotermes translucens (Haviland). Desneux 1904b: 28.

Rhinotermes ( Schedorhinotermes ) translucens (Haviland). Holmgren 1911a: 458.

Rhinotermes ( Schedorhinotermes ) celebensis Holmgren 1911a: 458. New synonymy.

Rhinotermes ( Schedorhinotermes ) marjoriae Snyder 1925: 404-405. New synonymy.

Schedorhinotermes marjoriae (Snyder). Snyder 1949: 94.

Schedorhinotermes celebensis (Holmgren). Snyder 1949: 90.

Schedorhinotermes translucens (Haviland). Snyder 1949: 96.

Material examined.

Syntypes, all castes:MALAYSIA: Sarawak: Kuching, xi.1894 (G.D. Haviland) (type No. 299, B.M.1899-41, BMNH, collection data from Harris 1966). Syntype of Schedorhinotermes celebensis , alate: Celebes, Hickson (BMNH). Other material: SOLOMON ISLANDS: Guadalcanal, 24.xi.1954 (E.S. Brown), labelled Schedorhinotermes marjoriae (BMNH). PAPUA NEW GUINEA:Madang: Bunapas road, 26.vi.1981 (JMP) (#PNGT104); Nubia, 18.v.1983 (YR) (#PNGT352); Hatzfeldthafen, 20.v.1983 (YR), in bamboo thicket (#PNGT363); Potsdam, 10.xii.1983 (YR) (#PNGT495); Boisa Island, 06.ix.1984 (YR) (#PNGT819); Tabele (Manam Is.), 19.ix.1984 (YR) (#PNGT841); Guam bridge, 12.ii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT872); Bunapas road, 16.ii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT877); Hatzfeldthafen, 22.ii.1985 (JMP & YR), with royal pair, 1 alate in log on the ground (#PNGT893); Bogia-Tangu road km 10, 28.vii.1987 (YR) (#PNGT1125?1124?); Nubia, 17.ii.1988 (YR), with 3 alates (#PNGT1155); Baitabag, 15.v.1999 (L. Čižek) (#11, J. Šobotník’s collection); Tabobo, 07.i.1989 (ML), with alates (#PNGT1385); Braham mission, 05.v.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1199); Morobe: Kaiapit, 18-19.ii.1983 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT185, 190); 19 km W Lae, 28.xi.1962 (AE) (AMNH); 40 km S Lae on Bulolo road, 15.xii.1962 (AE) (AMNH); 21 km ENE Lae, 20.xii.1962 (AE) (AMNH); Markham River (21 km NW Lae), 08.xii.1962 (AE), with nymphoid queen, in standing tree besides stream (AMNH); Oomsis, 25.v.1987 (YR) (#PNGT1089); Bulolo, 14.ii.1983 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT166, 167); Bulolo, 22.v.1987 (YR) (#PNGT1078); 8 km S Bulolo, alt. 900m, 14.xii.1962 (AE) (AMNH); Manki ridge, 18.v.1988 (YR), in Castanopsis forest (#PNGT1227); Mount Susu, 19.v.1988 (YR), in hoop pine log (#PNGT1234); Wau-Edie Creek road, 10.ii.1983 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT157, 158); Mount Missim, 12.ii.1983 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT163); Kaulz Creek, 13.xii.1962 (AE), 2 samples from wood stump in mid-montane forest (AMNH); Eastern Highlands: Aiyura, 03.i.1963 (AE), 2 samples from stumps, one in Castanopsis acuminata forest, one in garden (AMNH); Sandaun: Yapsiei, 10.iii.1994 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1731, 1732); Yapsiei, 11.iii.1994 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1743); Yapsiei, 12.iii.1994 (YR & ML), with 1 alate (#PNGT1752); Manus: Lorengau-Yiringo road km 32, 04.vi.1984 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT655); Lorengau-Yiringo road km 32, 06.vi.1984 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT674); East New Britain: Ataliklikun Bay, 30 km W of Keravat, 23.v.1984 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT596); Oro: Kokoda, 13.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT951); Kokoda, 17.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT978, 979); Kokoda, 17.iii.1985 (JMP & YR), in rubber plantation (#PNGT991, 992); Central: Sirinumu Dam, 09.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT941); Brown River, 21.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT995); Southern Highlands: Bosavi mission, 25.vi.1999 (L. Čižek) (#19, J. Šobotník’s collection); Lake Kutubu, 13.x.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1294); Pimaga, 16-17.x.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1303, 1305, 1311); Pimaga, 19.x.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1320); Fly: Morehead, 23.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1417); Wipim, 29.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1474); Tabubil, 19.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1538); Lake Murray, 23.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1568); Nomad, 29.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1615); Nomad, 31.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1629); Nomad, 01.vi.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1638, 1641, 1646); Nomad, 02.vi.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1666). INDONESIA: Papua: Pusppenssat-IrJa, 14.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT25); Road Nabire-Mapia km 48, 15.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT42); Road Nabire-Mapia km 62, 18.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT69, 70); Pusppenssat-IrJa, 19.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT83, 93); Topo, 28.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT191); Sanoba, 29.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT196); Pusppenssat-IrJa, 01.xii.1995 (YR) (#IRJT212). Samples included with doubt:PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Madang: Usino, 22.ii.1983 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT215); Nubia, 18.v.1983 (YR) (#PNGT352); Guam bridge, 12.ii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT868); Hatzfeldthafen, 22.ii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT892); East New Britain: Warengoi, 19.v.1984 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT571).

New synonymy.

Schedorhinotermes celebensis was described by Holmgren (1911a) based on the alate caste. The distinction of rhinotermitid species based only on alates is uncertain, as only few characters give relevant taxonomic information. After comparison of the type series of Schedorhinotermes celebensis and Schedorhinotermes translucens it appears that alates of the two species are morphologically identical and could be considered as the same species. Moreover, Schedorhinotermes celebensis was mentioned in New Guinea and was therefore expected to occur in our samples. Thus, even though the soldiers could not be compared, we consider Schedorhinotermes celebensis as a junior synonym of Schedorhinotermes translucens .

Schedorhinotermes marjoriae was described by Snyder (1925) based on specimens collected in the Solomon Islands. He pointed out its resemblance with Schedorhinotermes translucens and gave as sole character to distinguish these species the morphology of major soldier mandibles. After examination of samples of Schedorhinotermes marjoriae and Schedorhinotermes translucens , we found that differences between soldier mandibles of the two alleged species are by far smaller than variation observed among New Guinean specimens. For this reason, we also consider Schedorhinotermes marjoriae as a junior synonym of Schedorhinotermes translucens .

Imago.

(Fig. 75). Head slightly rounded posteriorly, covered by about 15 setae. Eyes relatively large. Pronotum bearing about 50 setae, principally located on edges. Antennae with 20 articles. Measurements (mm) of 3 imagoes from the type colony of Schedorhinotermes translucens , 1 imago from the type colony of Schedorhinotermes celebensis [brackets], and 26 imagoes from 5 colonies (parentheses): TBL: 7.31-8.95 [7.18] (7.02-8.95); HLC: 1.62-1.68 [1.54] (1.36-1.67); HWE: 1.72-1.76 [1.66] (1.63-1.84); PL: 0.88-0.98 [0.80] (0.74-0.89); PW: 1.48-1.55 [1.39] (1.30-1.56); FWL: 10.21-10.70 [n.a.] (9.60-11.40); ED: 0.51-0.54 [0.41] (0.31-0.48).

Major soldier.

(Figs 76, 78-79). Soldiers of medium size. Head slightly longer than wide, covered by about 30 setae. Labrum not reaching the tip of mandibles. Antennae with 16 articles. Pronotum large, covered by about 15 setae. Mesonotum and metanotum covered by about 10 setae on the posterior margin. Abdomen with 15 to 20 setae per segment. Left mandible with the first subsidiary tooth slightly longer than the second. Right mandible with well developed outgrowth on interior side of base. Measurements (mm) of 3 major soldiers from the type colony of Schedorhinotermes translucens , 6 major soldiers from one determined sample of Schedorhinotermes marjoriae [brackets], and 87 major soldiers from 29 colonies (parentheses): HLC: 1.91-1.97 [1.95-2.06] (1.45-2.10); HLL: 2.38-2.42 [2.40-2.58] (1.82-2.62); HW: 1.67-1.79 [1.75-1.89] (1.32-1.84); PW: 1.02-1.08 [1.04-1.12] (0.74-1.17); RML: 1.11-1.14 [1.12-1.19] (0.88-1.23); MPW: 0.27-0.30 [0.29-0.34] (0.20-0.34); T3L: 1.54-1.57 [1.42-1.53] (1.15-1.63).

Minor soldier.

(Figs 77, 80-81). Head elongated, rounded posteriorly, covered by about 10 setae. Labrum 2.5 times longer than wide, reaching the tip of mandibles. Fronto-clypeus elongated. Antennae with 15 articles. Pronotum with about 10 setae on the edges. Mesonotum and metanotum with about 10 setae on the posterior edge. Abdomen with about 8 to 10 setae per segment. Mandibles slender. Measurements (mm) of 5 minor soldiers from the type colony of Schedorhinotermes translucens , 6 minor soldiers of one determined sample of Schedorhinotermes marjoriae [brackets] and 10 minor soldiers from 10 colonies (parentheses): HLC: 0.99-1.19 [0.98-1.20] (0.90-1.11); HLL: 1.44-1.72 [1.49-1.67] (1.34-1.68); HW: 0.78-0.93 [0.78-0.87] (0.71-0.90); PL: 0.40-0.48 [0.35-0.46] (0.28-0.43); PW: 0.59-0.69 [0.52-0.63] (0.45-0.65); RML: 0.65-0.78 [0.60-0.72] (0.55-0.77); MPW: 0.30-0.35 [0.28-0.32] (0.24-0.34); T3L: 1.04-1.24 [0.89-1.02] (0.87-1.04).

Comparisons.

This species is related to Schedorhinotermes longirostris , from which it can be distinguished by its more hairy pronotum, mesonotum, metanotum and abdomen of major soldiers.

Distribution.

(Fig. 83). Schedorhinotermes translucens is widespread throughout New Guinea, both in savannas and forests. The following additional records are from the literature (samples not examined): Holmgren (1911a): Sattelberg, Kola; as Schedorhinotermes celebensis : Aitape (as Eitape (Berlinerhafen)); Roonwal and Maiti (1966): Meervlakte.

Termitophiles.

Myrmedonota termitophila ( Coleoptera , Staphylinidae , Aleocharinae , Lomechusini ) was discovered in colony #PNGT163 ( Bourguignon and Roisin 2006). The following Trichopseniini (also Aleocharinae ), were reported as guests of this species ( Bourguignon et al. 2007): Schedolimulus elongatus , Schedolimulus latus , Schedolimulus planus , and Schizelythron papuanum .