1. Redescriptions of Three Nasutitermes Species (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) Occurring in Taiwan.
- Author
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Wei-Ren Liang and Hou-Feng Li
- Subjects
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NASUTITERMES , *TERMITIDAE , *INSECT morphology , *POLYMORPHISM (Zoology) , *TERMITES - Abstract
Three termite species currently placed into Nasutitermes Dudley, 1890 (Isoptera: Termitidae), occurring in Taiwan, N. kinoshitai (Hozawa, 1915), N. parvonasutus (Nawa, 1911), and N. takasagoensis (Nawa, 1911), are redescribed and keyed. The soldier and worker castes of N. kinoshitai are described for the first time. Neotypes are designated for N. parvonasutus and N. takasagoensis. Significant difference in their morphology and gene sequences of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) indicate that N. kinoshitai and N. parvonasutus do not belong to Nasutitermes; however, as the genus and several morphologically similar and systematically related genera are in need of revision, currently it is not possible to propose a revised generic placement. Based on 438 colony samples, the distribution pattern, dispersal flight season, polymorphism of soldier and worker castes, and termitophiles of the three species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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