Heterotermes paradoxus (Froggatt, 1898)

Bourguignon, Thomas & Roisin, Yves, 2011, Revision of the termite family Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) in New Guinea, ZooKeys 148, pp. 55-103 : 65-67

Heterotermes paradoxus (Froggatt, 1898) Figs 3744

Termes paradoxus Froggatt, 1898: 728.

Heterotermes paradoxus (Froggatt). Hill 1932: 146.

Material examined.

AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory: 37 km SE Newcastle Waters, 16.vi.1936 (coll. det. G.F. Hill) (ANIC #10-2186); Queensland: Weipa mission, 05.x.1957 (F.J. Gay & J.H. Calaby) (ANIC #10-8659); PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Central: Sogeri, 14.vii.1984 (YR) (#PNGT731); Sogeri, 4.ii.1985 (YR) (#PNGT855); Sirinumu Dam, 6.iii.1985 (JMP & YR) (#PNGT912); Fly: Morehead, 24.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1431); Wipim, 29.iii.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1471); Wipim, 2.iv.1989 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1517); Lake Murray, 22.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1562); Lake Murray, 24.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1577); Lake Murray, 25.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1590a,); Lake Murray, 27.v.1990 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1598, 1606). INDONESIA: Papua: Kaimana, 21.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT104, 111, 112); Kaimana, 23.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT142), two samples with alates (#IRJT143, 144); Pusppenssat-IrJa, 26.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT166).

Imago.

(Figs 41-42).Head slightly elongated covered by several hundreds of setae. Pronotum elongated and moderately wide, covered by several hundreds of setae. Antennae generally with 18 articles, rarely with 17 articles. Eyes flat. Small ocelli in front of the eyes. Measurements (mm) of 12 imagoes from 1 colony: TBL: 5.16-6.31; HLC: 1.13-1.29; HWE: 0.98-1.14; PL: 0.59-0.64; PW: 0.76-0.85; FWL: 8.79-9.92; ED: 0.25-0.33.

Soldier.

(Figs 37-40, 43) Soldiers of large size. Head elongated, slightly rounded in the corners, with a well developed hump at front. Labrum with rounded apex. Antennae with 16 or 17 articles. Pronotum elongated, covered by numerous setae. Mandibles elongated, sligthly curved at tip. Measurements (mm) of 55 soldiers from 19 colonies: HLC: 1.34-1.98; HLL: 1.63-2.40; HW: 0.86-1.16; PL: 0.39-0.60; PW: 0.62-0.87; RML: 1.03-1.34; MPW: 0.35-0.48; T3L: 0.70-0.93.

Comparisons.

Morphological variation occurs along the distribution range of Heterotermes paradoxus , though it appears insufficient to recognize distinct species. Heterotermes paradoxus differs from Heterotermes vagus by the larger size of its soldiers, its less elongated labrum with rounded end and its antennae with 16 or 17 articles.

Distribution.

(Fig. 44).This species is widespread in southern Papua New Guinea, and was found on both coasts of the “bird’s neck" in Indonesian Papua. It is also known from northern Australia, especially Queensland (Watson & Abbey 1993). It occurs in savanna as well as in forest.