Rhynchotermes

Constantini, Joice P. & Cancello, Eliana M., 2016, A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical termite genus Rhynchotermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae), Zootaxa 4109 (5), pp. 501-522 : 505

Key to the soldiers of Rhynchotermes

1 Mandibles larger than head, clearly visible from dorsal view when closed; apical region of each mandible extending well beyond the opposite mandible when closed ( Fig. 6 B)........................................................ 2

- Mandibles shorter than head capsule, barely or not visible from dorsal view when closed; apical region of each mandible aligns to the proximal region of the opposite mandible when closed ( Fig. 6 A)........................................... 3

2 Proximal region of frontal tube constricted; apical region bulbous ( Fig. 3 C, 4C)......................... R. bulbinasus

- Frontal tube elongate, subcylindrical ( Fig. 3 H, 4H)................................................ R. perarmatus

3 Mandibles with inner margin serrated, strongly curved ( Fig. 5 A, F, G, I).......................................... 4

- Mandibles with inner margin smooth, evenly curved ( Fig. 5 B, D, E)............................................ 7

4 In profile, dorsal margin of head and margin of frontal tube almost straight ( Fig. 4 F, I).............................. 5

- In profile, dorsal margin of head and margin of frontal tube markedly concave ( Fig. 4 A, B, D, E, G).................... 6

5 Length of frontal tube equal or slightly longer than length of head (see setae Fig. 4 I); head capsule without frontal tube wider than longer ( Fig. 3 I)............................................................................. R. piauy

- Length of frontal tube much longer than length of head (see setae, Fig. 4 F); width and height of head capsule without frontal tube approximately equal ( Fig.3 F)........................................................ R. matraga sp. nov.

6 Head with a slightly constriction behind antennae, antennae articles long ( Fig. 3 A, 4A, 5A)...................................................................................................... R. amazonensis sp. nov. ( major )

- Head capsule rounded in dorsal view, antenna articles short ( Fig. 3 G, 4G, 5G,)........................ R. nasutissimus

7 Length of frontal tube equal to length of head ( Fig. 3 D, 4D, 5D).................................. R. diphyes ( major )

- Length of frontal tube distinctly longer than head........................................................... 8

8 Frontal tube conical, mandible thin, four bristles on head ( Fig. 3 B, 4B, 5B).............. R. amazonensis sp. nov. (minor)

- Frontal tube subcylindrical, oriented downwards, six to ten bristles on head ( Fig.3 E, 4E, 5E)........... R. diphyes (minor)

Figures

FIGURE 3. Soldier head capsule dorsal view. A: Rhynchotermes amazonensis sp. nov. (major soldier, MZUSP 12800), B: idem (minor soldier, idem), C: R. bulbinasus (major soldier, MZUSP 16115), D: R. diphyes (major soldier, MZUSP 15934), E: idem (minor soldier, idem), F: R. matraga sp. nov. (MZUSP 16125), G: R. nasutissimus (lectotype DEZA), H: R. perarmatus (MZUSP 16114) and I: R. piauy (MZUSP 16126). Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 4. Soldier head capsule lateral view. A: Rhynchotermes amazonensis sp. nov. (major soldier), B: idem (minor soldier), C: R. bulbinasus (major soldier), D: R. diphyes (major soldier), E: idem (minor soldier), F: R. matraga sp. nov., G: R. nasutissimus, H: R. perarmatus, and I: R. piauy. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 5. Soldier left mandible. A: Rhynchotermes amazonensis sp. nov. (major soldier), B: idem (minor soldier), C: R. bulbinasus (major soldier), D: R. diphyes (major soldier), E: idem (minor soldier), F: R. matraga sp. nov., G: R. nasutissimus, H: R. perarmatus and I: R. piauy. Scale bar: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Soldier mandibles at rest position: A: Rhynchotermes nasutissimus, apical region of each mandible aligns to the proximal region of the opposite mandible when closed, B: R. perarmatus, apical region of each mandible extending well beyond the opposite mandible when closed. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.