Genus Caputitermes · 首白蚁属

Morphology

The descriptions below are an adaptation of the original genus-level accounts; terms follow the meaning of the source, and the original is not transcribed verbatim.

Diagnostic characters

The primary generic character is worker dimorphism (major worker and minor worker); the junction between the midgut and the first proctodeal segment (P1) is straight, without a mixed segment; the molar plate and molar prominence region bear hairs and scale-like sculpturing; the gizzard is not developed; the inner wall of P1 is densely covered with short, stout spines directed towards the enteric valve; P3 forms an S-shaped projection before joining P2. All Neotropical Apicotermitinae lack soldiers.

Worker

Dimorphic, the ratio of major to minor about 1:2, both forms common. Both forms have a visible fontanelle, the postclypeus slightly inflated, the head covered with fine short setae; the mandibles bear hairs and scale-like sculpturing in the molar plate and molar prominence region, with a shallow concavity on the anterior side of the mandibles; the apical tooth of the left mandible is as large as the first and second marginal teeth together, the apical tooth of the right mandible larger than the first and second marginal teeth together. The major worker has a square head capsule with about 34 setae, distributed mainly on the anterior sides and the posterior region, the head with lateral nodes; the minor worker has a rounded head capsule with about 14 setae, evenly distributed on the sides of the head. The digestive tract of both worker forms is spherical, the structures similar in size and position. The gizzard has no cuticular armature, with 6 primary pulvilli, the surface of the pulvilli scale-like, with minute spines posteriorly; the muscular layer of the enteric valve is thin, with 6 symmetrical cushions; the Malpighian tubules have 4 separate insertion points, without a nodule; the short stout spines of the inner wall of P1 are densest near the midgut and near P2, their tips directed towards the enteric valve; P3 forms an S-shaped projection before joining P2. Measurements: species-level (LH, WH, LT, WP, see the species-level description).

Sources: Almeida-Azevedo R.; Acioli A. N. S.; Morais J. W.; Azevedo R. A. 2023. Caputitermes, a new genus of soldierless termite (Blattaria: Isoptera: Termitidae) with dimorphic workers from the Amazon rainforest. Acta Amazonica 53(3): 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4392202202511, Caputitermes, gen. nov. — Description: Imago / Genus diagnosis / Genus description（Acta Amazonica 53(3): 201–207） This text is an adaptation, not a verbatim transcription of the original.