Genus Pseudomicrotermes · 伪小白蚁属

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

A new genus established by Holmgren 1912, with the single species Pseudomicrotermes alboniger (Wasm.) from the Congo; a synonym in part of Mirotermes (Wasmann 1911). Originally placed in Microtermes, it was separated because morphological examination showed only a habit-based resemblance to Microtermes; according to Holmgren's comparative table, the alate of this genus is 'very small', with a very large head far wider than the pronotum, and the soldier head is rectangular and much longer than wide, differing from Microtermes in the relative length of the clypeal base, the length-to-width ratio of the labrum, the mandibular dentition and the wing venation (presence or absence of an accessory vein, reticulation). The soldier labrum is lanceolate, more than twice as long as wide; the mandibles are sabre-shaped and curved, the outer basal margin not concave; antennae of 13–14 segments; cerci unusually long, without styli.

Alate

Very small in size. Head very large, fairly strongly convex, thick, slightly narrowed anteriorly. Compound eyes medium-sized, flat. Ocelli small, separated from the compound eyes by hardly more than their diameter, facing fully laterally, their inner margin slightly raised. Frontal gland opening far back, with a dark spot in the middle. Transverse band very long. Clypeal base short, much shorter than half its width, slightly convex, posterior margin slightly concave, anterior margin straight. Labrum about as wide as long. Apical tooth of the mandibles slightly swollen. Antennae of 16 segments, incrassate towards the apex. Pronotum rather small, the anterior lobe incurved with a concave anterior margin; posterior margin concave. Posterior parts of the meso- and metanotum slightly pointed, with a rectangular emargination. Forewing scale slightly larger than the hindwing scale. Wing membrane transparent, with extremely fine punctures, without reticulation; veins very indistinct; media close to the cubitus, apparently only very weakly branched (simple?); cubitus with about 10 branches. Abdomen white. Fore tibia with 3 apical spurs, mid and hind tibiae with only 2. The 2nd tarsomere counted from the apex extended into a slender projection. Cerci fairly long. Without styli.

Soldier

Head rectangular with rounded corners, much longer than wide, thick. Frons slightly inclined. Frontal gland opening on the horizontal part of the head, near the edge of the inclined part. Labrum lanceolate, more than twice as long as wide, with a small transparent tip behind which a few setae arise. Mandibles sabre-shaped and curved, the outer basal margin not concave. Left mandible with a bilobed basal tooth and three very small but sharp teeth in the middle; the apex weak, microscopically serrate. Right mandible with two small teeth at the base and only a tooth-like blunt swelling in the middle. Antennae of 13–14 segments, incrassate towards the apex. Pronotum small, saddle-shaped, the anterior lobe large with a deeply concave anterior margin. Cerci unusually long. Without styli.

Worker

Head broadly oval, longer than wide. Frontal gland opening fairly far back. Clypeal base slightly shorter than half its width, posterior margin fairly strongly convex, anterior margin slightly concave. Mandibles as in the alate. Antennae of 15–16 segments. Pronotum saddle-shaped, the anterior margin deeply concave. Cerci long. Without styli.

Sources: Holmgren, N. 1912. Termitenstudien 3. Systematik der Termiten. Die Familien Mastotermitidae, Protermitidae und Mesotermitidae. Kungliga Svenska Vetenskapsakademiens Handlingar 48(4): 1–166, Taf. 1–4., pp. 126—127（archive.org 项 biostor-184513 页面图像） This text is an adaptation, not a verbatim transcription of the original.