Parvitermes yucatanus, Scheffrahn, Rudolf H., 2016

Scheffrahn, Rudolf H., 2016, Parvitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in Central America: Two new termite species and reassignment of Nasutitermesmexicanus, ZooKeys 617, pp. 47-63 : 55-56

Taxon classification Animalia Isoptera Termitidae

Parvitermes yucatanus sp. n.

Type-locality.

Mexico, 0.9 km N. gate of Punta Sam, 21.2423, -86.8056, 2 m elev.

Holotype.

Soldier. 9 Dec 1997, J. Chase, J. Mangold cols., UF col. no. MX161 (in microvial).

Paratypes.

GUATEMALA: P. N. Tikal, 17.1371, -89.6803, 30 May 2006, Scheffrahn et al., GUA222; MEXICO: Hwy 307, 1 km S Marine, 20.5803, -87.1424, 8 Dec 1997, J. Chase, J. Mangold, MX148; same data, MX152; Chicana Ecovillage, 18.5178, -89.4846, 21 Jan 2001, MX281; 10.5 km W Coba toward Chemax, 20.5514, -87.8049, 22 Jan 2003, J. Chase, J. Mangold, MX492.

Alate.

Unknown.

Soldier.

(Table 5, Figs 2F, 3E, F). In all respects, similar to Parvitermes mesoamericanus except for the following: In dorsal view nasus conical, about 1.6x its width at base compared to midpoint; in lateral view nasus broadly conical. Mandibles with short, very narrow, points. Antennal with 11-12 articles (1>2<3=4). Hind tibia usually shorter than maximum head width. Pronotum with a few longer setae (0.10 mm) along margin of anterior lobe.

Worker.

(Table 6, Figs 2E, 4C, 5C, 6C). In all respects, similar to Parvitermes mesoamericanus except for the following: Mandibles with about seven ridges on molar plate, mo lar plate without dorsal notch; apical and first marginal teeth of similar shape and projection; third marginal smaller, separated from first by slightly concave cutting edge. EVA consists of three irregular rows of about 7-12 long, narrow, subtriangulate, and slightly down-curved spines.

Etymology and distribution.

Named for the Yucatan Peninsula which encompasses Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala; the known range of Parvitermes yucatanus (Fig. 7). This region has a pronounced dry winter season.

Comparisons.

The soldiers of Parvitermes yucatanus and Parvitermes mesoamericanus are very similar with the following exception: the nasus of Parvitermes yucatanus , in lateral view, is more conical and broader at the base than that of Parvitermes mesoamericanus . The workers of Parvitermes yucatanus and Parvitermes mesoamericanus are indistinguishable. The distributions of Parvitermes yucatanus and Parvitermes mesoamericanus appear to be allopatric (Fig. 7) with the latter species occupying a more arid zone.

Biology.

The Central American Parvitermes are wood-surface feeders. They typically attack wood in contact with the ground where they encase their surroundings with dark carton material (Fig. 8) reminiscent of Amitermes and build narrow foraging galleries to above-ground feeding sites ( Light 1933, Weesner 1970 for Parvitermes mexicanus ). Colonies nest in the soil underneath rocks and logs where brood and larvae have been found in weak cells of thin dark carton. In the West Indies, Parvitermes are often col lected in hollowed-out stems of woody herbaceous plants ( Parvitermes brooksi and Parvitermes wolcotti ). In the arid lands of the Dominican Republic, Parvitermes flaveolus attacks wooden fence posts, and after rains, will feed on dried grass bunches that they cover with a thin arcade of soil.