Schedorhinotermes malaccensis (Holmgren, 1913)

Bourguignon, Thomas & Roisin, Yves, 2011, Revision of the termite family Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) in New Guinea, ZooKeys 148, pp. 55-103 : 72-73

Schedorhinotermes malaccensis (Holmgren, 1913) Figs 62-6782

Rhinotermes ( Schedorhinotermes ) malaccensis Holmgren 1913: 86.

Schedorhinotermes malaccensis (Holmgren). Snyder 1949: 93.

Material examined.

Paratype: NHRS collections. Other material: INDONESIA: Papua: Pusppenssat-IrJa, 13.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT15); Road Nabire-Mapia km 48, 15.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT43).

Imago.

Unknown.

Major soldier.

(Figs 62, 64-65). Soldiers of large size. Head rounded, as long as large, covered by about 20 setae. Labrum short and large. Antennae generally with 16 articles. Pronotum large, covered by about 15 setae situated on the edges. Mesonotum and metanotum covered by about 10 setae on posterior margin. Abdomen covered by about 10 setae per segment. Mandibles very large. Right mandible with large hump at the basis. Measurements (mm) of 6 major soldiers from 2 colonies: HLC: 1.70-2.09; HLL: 2.03-2.43; HW: 1.95-2.04; PW: 1.17-1.25; RML: 1.07-1.15; mPW: 0.26-0.34; T3L: 1.54-1.64.

Minor soldier.

(Figs 63, 66-67). Head covered by 5 to 10 setae. Labrum moderately elongated, almost reaching the tip of mandibles. Fronto-clypeus short and wide. Antennae with 15 or 16 articles. Pronotum with about 10 setae placed on the edges. Mesonotum and metanotum with about 8 setae on the posterior edge. Mandibles elongated, slender, with short subsidiary teeth. Measurements (mm) of 1 minor soldier from the type colony and 6 minor soldiers from 2 colonies (parentheses): HLC: 1.28 (1.01-1.22); HLL: 1.77 (1.52-1.78); HW: 1.00 (0.81-0.95); PL: 0.50 (0.37-0.49); PW: 0.70 (0.59-0.73); RML: 0.85 (0.72-0.87); MPW: 0.36 (0.30-0.35); T3L: 1.18 (1.03-1.14).

Comparisons.

This species is easily distinguished from other New Guinean species by the large rounded head and stout mandibles of its major soldiers.

Distribution.

(Fig. 82). This species is widespread throughout Sundaland ( Gathorne-Hardy 2004). In New Guinea, it was only collected twice in northwestern Papua.