Parrhinotermes browni (Harris, 1958)

Bourguignon, Thomas & Roisin, Yves, 2011, Revision of the termite family Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) in New Guinea, ZooKeys 148, pp. 55-103 : 68-70

Parrhinotermes browni (Harris, 1958) Figs 45-4955

Schedorhinotermes browni Harris 1958: 59.

Parrhinotermes browni (Harris): Roisin 1988a: 22.

Material examined.

Paratypes, soldiers and workers:SOLOMON ISLANDS: Guadalcanal: Gold Ridge, 22.iii.1955 (E.S. Brown) (Brit. Mus. 1957-137, BMNH). Other material: PAPUA NEW GUINEA:East Sepik: Tsenap, 18.v.1929 (K.P. Schmidt), from log on ground (AMNH); Madang: Yagaum Hospital, 07.iv.1983 (YR) (#PNGT303, 306); Yagaum Hospital, 13.v.1983 (YR) (#PNGT340, 341); Bunapae, 18.ii.1984 (YR) (#PNGT546); Bunapae, 12.vi.1984 (YR) (#PNGT681); Guam bridge, 09.viii.1984 (YR), with royal pair (#PNGT782); Guam bridge, 12.ii.1985 (JMP & YR), with royal pair (#PNGT867); Guam bridge, 9.vi.1986 (YR), large colony with royal pair in rotten wood (#PNGT1023), and small sample (#PNGT1024); Sepen No.1, 29.vi.1986 (YR) (#PNGT1031); Hatzfeldthafen, 22.viii.1987 (YR), with primary king and ergatoid queen (#PNGT1130); Braham mission, 06.v.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1204); Wanuma, 05.viii.1969 (R. Zweifel) (AMNH); Morobe: Busu River, 17.xii.1962 (AE) (AMNH); 18 mi W Lae, 28.xi.1962 (AE), nest with royal pair in large log on forest floor (AMNH); Bulolo, 22.v.1987 (YR), in hoop pine ( Araucaria cunninghamii ) plantation (#PNGT1081); McAdam National Park, 20.v.1988 (YR) (#PNGT1236); Sandaun: Yapsiei, 11.iii.1994 (YR & ML) (#PNGT1742); Yapsiei, 12.iii.1994 (YR & ML), in standing dead wood, with alates (#PNGT1751); Central: Subitana plantation, xi.1962 (AE) (AMNH). INDONESIA: Papua: Pusppenssat-IrJa, 13.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT7, 9); Pusppenssat-IrJa, 14.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT28); Pusppenssat-IrJa, 15.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT39); Pusppenssat-IrJa, 29.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT203); road Nabire-Mapia km 43, 26.xi.1995 (YR) (#IRJT167).

Imago.

(Fig. 45). Head covered by about 15 setae with posterior edges strongly rounded, frons and clypeus short. Pronotum covered by about 100 setae. Antennae with 17 articles. Measurements (mm) of 6 imagoes from 1 colony: TBL: 5.76-6.34; HLC: 1.04-1.18; HWE: 1.19-1.26; PL: 0.47-0.65; PW: 0.90-0.95; FWL: 8.34-8.93; ED: 0.27-0.36.

Soldier.

(Figs 46-49) Head rectangular-shaped with edges slightly rounded, covered by about 50 small setae and 10 large ones. Labrum elongated, reaching the tip of mandibles, with a rounded apical brush. Postmentum covered by setae only on its upper part. Antennae with 13 articles. Mandibles straight, slightly curved at tip, slightly serrated at base. Measurements (mm) of 6 soldiers of the type colony and 39 soldiers from 13 colonies (parentheses): HLC: 1.13-1.19 (1.01-1.33); HLL: 1.56-1.64 (1.40-1.79); HW: 0.90-0.94 (0.86-1.05); PW: 0.52-0.56 (0.51-0.68); RML: 0.69 - 0.73 (0.64-0.78); MPW: 0.27-0.31 (0.27-0.34); mPW: 0.16-0.18 (0.16-0.22); T3L: 0.75-0.81 (0.70-0.89).

Distribution.

(Fig. 55). This species, originally described from the Solomon Islands, is common in Northern New Guinea and in the bird’s neck area.

Termitophiles.

Several species of Trichopseniini ( Coleptera , Staphylinidae ) were reported from this species ( Bourguignon et al. 2007): Parrhinopsenius brevipilosus , Parrhinopsenius longipilosus , Parrhinopsenius hirsutus , Parrhinopsenius parvus , and one specimen of Schedolimulus latus .