Schedorhinotermes malaccensis ( Holmgren, 1913 )

Takematsu, Yoko & Vongkaluang, Charunee, 2012, A taxonomic review of the Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) of Thailand, Journal of Natural History 46 (17 - 18), pp. 1079-1109 : 1099-1101

Schedorhinotermes malaccensis ( Holmgren, 1913)

( Figures 10A–J , 14D )

Rhinotermes (Schedorhinotermes) malaccensis Holmgren, 1913: 86 , pl.2, figs.12, 19.

Schedorhinotermes malaccensis, Snyder, 1949: 93 .

Schedorhinotermes sarawakensis Holmgren, 1913: 87 , pl.2, figs.13,18. Synonymized by Gathorne-Hardy, 2004: 90–91.

Material examined

THAILAND: Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep-Pui National Park , 10 June 1965, K. Morimoto coll. (identified as sarawakensis by K. Morimoto) [NHML]; three series, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park , 1500 m alt., 8 September 1997, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Lampang: Jae Sorn National Park , 600 m alt., 27 June 2000, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Tak: Mae Sod , 19 April 1962, M. Ahmad coll. (identified as sarawakensis by M. Ahmad) [NHML]; Surat Thani: Khao Sok National Park , 400 m alt., 5 November 2002, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Phuket: Bang Kanoon , Phuket Is., 3 November 2002, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Narathiwat: three series, Hara Bara Wildlife Sanctuary , 29 May 1997, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Narathiwat , 20 December 1997, Y. Sornnuwat coll.

Diagnosis

Major soldier. Large species. Head subtriangular, strongly narrowed anteriorly, sparsely hairy on head capsule. Eyes present, but small and whitish. Inner edge of apical tooth of left mandible convex; the basal part of right mandible without a step. Antennae with 16–18 segments.

Minor soldier. Large species. Head almost parallel-sided or slightly convex, with several hairs on head capsule. Eyes present, broadly oval, whitish, slightly bulging. First marginal teeth of left mandible located almost at the middle between apical

teeth and second marginal teeth, DAM1 / DM1M2 1.00–1.08 (1.04). Antennae with 15–16 segments. Postmentum weakly arched and smooth in lateral view.

Measurements (mm)

Major soldier. 13 soldiers from four series: HL, 2.08–2.40 (2.27); mHW, 2.20–2.48 (2.35); LML, 1.39–1.50 (1.45); PL, 0.76–0.81 (0.78); PW, 1.24–1.50 (1.37); PosL, 1.50–1.70 (1.64); PosW, 0.56–0.68 (0.62) .

Minor soldier. 20 soldiers from four series: HL, 0.95–1.36 (1.13); mHW, 0.95–1.21 (1.08); LML, 0.79–0.94 (0.85); PL, 0.47–0.55 (0.52); PW, 0.70–0.86 (0.78); PosL, 0.70–0.90 (0.81); PosW, 0.35–0.38 (0.36) .

Distribution

Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Burma, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java.

Remarks

This species is much larger than the other two Schedorhinotermes species recorded from Thailand. It had been recorded as S. sarawakensis . Both species, S. malaccensis and S. sarawakensis were described by Holmgren (1913). In the original descriptions, S. malaccensis was distinguished from S. sarawakensis by its larger size and having 17 antennal segments and broader pronotum in the major soldier, and 17 antennal segments and shorter labrum in the minor solider. These characters are highly variable and Tho (1992) speculated that these two species were the same. Gathorne-Hardy (2004) observed many specimens of Schedorhinotermes and concluded that they were the same. Judging from my observations of many specimens and type specimens and their descriptions, I have also concluded that both species are the same. There is considerable size variation within species, with the result that smaller specimens and larger specimens may appear to be different species when in fact they are the same. Holmgren described these species in the same paper ( Holmgren 1913), but S. malaccensis is a valid name because it was described on an earlier page (p. 86) than S. sarawakensis (p. 87).

Figures

Figure 10. Soldier of Schedorhinotermes malaccensis (Holmgren). (A) Head of major soldier, dorsal view; (B) head of major soldier, lateral view; (C) pronotum of major soldier; (D) postmentum of major soldier; (E) mandibles of major soldier; (F) head of minor soldier, dorsal view; (G) head of minor soldier, lateral view; (H), pronotum of minor soldier; (I) postmentum of minor soldier; (J) mandibles of minor soldier. Scale bar 0.5 mm.

Figure 14. Distribution of Parrhinotermes, Prorhinotermes and Schedorhinotermes in Thailand. (A) Parrhinotermes buttelreepeni; (B) Parrhinotermes microdentiformisoides; (C) Prorhinotermes flavus; (D) Schedorhinotermes malaccensis; (E) Schedorhinotermes medioobscurus; (F) Schedorhinotermes rectangularis.