Genus Duplidentitermes · 双齿白蚁属

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

Closely related to Hoplognathotermes and Allognathotermes; the soldier differs most conspicuously from the closely related genera in having 1 large bicuspid tooth on each mandible; antennae 13–14-segmented; fore femur short and stout, equally thick at the middle; sharp ridge of the fore coxa with 9–11 conspicuous setae in a row. The alate and the worker mandibles show corresponding features.

Alate

Fore coxa with several short hairs and long and short setae on its outline; middle tibia without contrasting outer spines. Fontanelle white, triangular, only slightly smaller than the ocellus. Mandibles broadly similar to those of the worker: apical tooth proportionally larger than in Hoplognathotermes; in the left mandible the distance from the apical point to the first marginal tooth point is greater than that from the first to the third marginal tooth point; cutting edges of the first and second marginal teeth of the left mandible undulating; second marginal tooth of the right mandible reduced to a small mound (as in Allognathotermes). Posterior margins of meso- and metanotum deeply concave, the notch angle sharper than a right angle. Fore coxa with a sharp longitudinal ridge, flatly convex in section, the crest of the ridge nearer the base than the middle of the ridge. Tibial spur formula 3:2:2, outer spur of the fore tibia short and distinctly reduced. Sc short in both fore- and hindwing, merging with the anterior margin immediately after the basal suture.

Soldier

Head very large, anterior face rather flat; no tuft of hairs near the frontal gland opening; setae at the front end of the large labrum scattered, not in tufts as in Apicotermes; sharp ridge of the fore coxa with 9–11 conspicuous setae in 1 row, curved towards the inner margin and back towards the apex, enclosing a nearly oval flat area in the apical half of the coxa. Inner side of the fore tibia with several weakly specialised spines; middle tibia without contrasting outer spines. Anterior part of the postmentum proportionally larger than in the closely related genera, the narrowest point about 5/6–6/7 of its length from the anterior margin, lateral sutures visible over their whole length. Antennae 13–14-segmented, similar to Allognathotermes (Firmitermes 14-segmented, Hoplognathotermes and Acutidentitermes 15-segmented). Suture between postclypeus and frons visible, but less distinct than in Firmitermes and Hoplognathotermes. Labrum widest at the distinct lateral angles (in Firmitermes the labral lateral margins are convex, in Hoplognathotermes the sides are parallel with obtuse lateral angles, in Acutidentitermes the sides are parallel and slightly concave with a sharper apex, in Allognathotermes the widest point is rounder). Each mandible with 1 large bicuspid tooth, by which it differs conspicuously from all closely related genera. Longitudinal ridge of the fore coxa conspicuous and sharp, gently and evenly convex in section, extending about half the coxa from the apex, more arched and more distinct than in Hoplognathotermes, and very similar to Allognathotermes, only slightly more evident because it extends with a slight inward curve. Fore femur short and stout, sides parallel, equally thick at the middle; fore tibia slightly swollen. Tibial spur formula 3:2:2, outer spur of the fore tibia proportionally short (as in Hoplognathotermes).

Worker

Mandibular features similar to those of the alate; ridge of the fore coxa more arched and more projecting than in the Hoplognathotermes worker.

Sources: Emerson A. E. 1959. The African termite genera Firmitermes, Hoplognathotermes, Acutidentitermes, Duplidentitermes, and Heimitermes (Termitidae, Termitinae). American Museum Novitates 1947: 1–43., pp. 25–27（Imago、Soldier、Worker） This text is an adaptation, not a verbatim transcription of the original.