Genus Rustitermes · 拉斯特白蚁属

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

Enteric valve with 6 slightly asymmetrical pads, each pad forming a central pouch whose scales are smaller than those between the pads; each pad with about 60–80 scales, broad at the base and narrow at the tip; posterior part of the pads truncate, with 35–50 rectangular scales arranged from the middle towards the tip and becoming progressively denser. Distinguished from Hydrecotermes, which has a similar gut coiling, by the worker protibia bearing stout setae on its inner edge (absent in the latter). Distinguished from Aparatermes, which may have a similar enteric valve and gut, by: the cuticle between the pads bearing cubic scales (absent in the latter); the enteric valve seating not trilobed (trilobed in the latter); the enteric valve lacking small spines or pointed scales (present in the latter); the posterior part of the pads bearing scales (without scales posteriorly in the latter).

Alate

The fontanelle is indistinct in both sexes, the fontanellar region concave, a median spot faintly indicated. Apical tooth of the left mandible slightly larger than M1+2, M3 triangular with an obtuse lateral margin, anterior molar process indistinct, molar prominence not concealed by the molar region swelling. Head capsule with short and sparse setae, dark brown; the frontal markings slightly paler than the rest of the head capsule, their boundary indistinct. Pronotum subhexagonal, anterior margin straight and without a median notch, lateral margins very straight and distinct, the surface sparsely covered with setae and short hairs. Tergites and sternites with short hairs. Fore coxa with 4–5 conspicuous long setae; inner surface of the protibia with 2 rows of 6–7 stout setae each.

Worker

Monotypic; fontanelle small and round; postclypeus slightly inflated; head capsule with medium and long setae. Apical tooth of the left mandible more prominent than M1+2, M3 triangular with a right or acute lateral margin, molar prominence not concealed by the molar region swelling. Long setae of the pronotum concentrated along the margins of the anterior and posterior lobes; tergites and sternites densely covered with long setae, mostly directed backwards or upwards. Fore coxa with 4–5 stout setae; inner surface of the fore femur with long setae; protibia moderately inflated, its inner surface with 2 rows of 6–7 stout setae each. Enteric valve unarmed, with 6 pyriform pads of slightly different sizes, the pads composed of relatively large fringed polygonal scales; the cuticle between the pads consisting of larger fringed cubic scales, closely packed near P3.

Sources: Castro D., Constantini J.P., Scheffrahn R.H., Carrijo T.F. & Cancello E.M. 2020. Rustitermes boteroi, a new genus and species of soldierless termites (Blattodea, Isoptera, Apicotermitinae) from South America. ZooKeys 922: 35–49. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.922.47347, 章节 Rustitermes gen. nov.（Diagnosis / Description / Comparison and remarks）；文章 pp. 35–49 This text is an adaptation, not a verbatim transcription of the original.