Genuotermes spinifer 具脊膝白蚁
- Type locality
- Brasil: Mato Grosso do Sul: Ladário, Urucum [19.155S 57.631W]
- Distribution
- Brazil
List： English (genus page) · 中文 · Español
Summary
Genuotermes spinifer is the only extant species of the genus Genuotermes, in the family TERMITIDAE (subfamily Syntermitinae). The species was described by Emerson in 1950; the type locality is Brasil: Mato Grosso do Sul: Ladário, Urucum [19.155S 57.631W]. Distribution: Brazil.
Etymology
Genus name Genuotermes: From Latin genu (knee) + termes.
Specific epithet spinifer: Latin spina (spine) + -fer (bearing), spiny
Taxonomic position
- Family: TERMITIDAE — 280 genera, 2144 species
- Subfamily: Syntermitinae — 22 genera, 105 species
- Genus: Genuotermes — monotypic, 1 species
Distribution
- Distribution records: Brazil
The record above follows the wording of the original data; no geocoding or standardized place names have been applied.
Morphology
The description below is paraphrased from the original or a later revision, by caste; the source is cited at the end.
Diagnostic characters
In the soldier the mandibles are elongate and bent at a distinct elbow in the proximal 1/3, the inner margin of the distal 2/3 forming a serrate blade with a basal projecting tooth, and the molar plate and molar prominence visible at the base; the head capsule is nearly rectangular in dorsal view with a characteristic frontal projection, the opening of the frontal gland lying at the end of the head projection and facing forwards. In the alate the compound eyes are hemispherical and the fontanelle is a small slit.
Soldier
The mandibles are elongate and bent at the elbow in the proximal 1/3; the inner margin of the distal 2/3 forms a serrate blade, with a conspicuous projecting tooth at the base; the molar plate and molar prominence are visible at the base. The head capsule is nearly rectangular in dorsal view, with a characteristic frontal projection (best seen in profile); the opening of the frontal gland lies at the end of the head projection and faces forwards. The labrum is nearly rectangular; tibial spur formula 3:2:2.
Worker
The head capsule is circular in dorsal view; the fontanelle is indistinct; there are 14–15 antennal segments; the apical tooth of the mandibles is far more developed than the marginal teeth, whose apices are discernible. Digestive tract: P1 is inflated and lies on the left side of the body, its last section forming an elongate loop that reaches the dorsal region and then descends into P3; the columnar band of the gizzard has 24 visible folds (6 first-order, 6 second-order, 12 third-order), the first-order folds bearing spine-like ornamentation; the enteric valve consists of three equidistant longitudinal cushions covered with stout erect spines in a brush-like arrangement.
Alate
The compound eyes are hemispherical, elliptical in profile, approaching but not touching the lower margin of the head and the ocelli; the fontanelle is indistinct, forming a small slit on the dorsal surface of the head; the pronotum is nearly trapezoidal with rounded anterolateral corners; the posterior margin of the mesonotum is deeply emarginate and pointed, that of the metanotum shallower and rounded; tibial spur formula 3:2:2.
This genus is monotypic, containing only this species; the following is the genus-level description based on the original literature; species-level measurements and intraspecific variation are given in the original.
Distribution map
Aggregated from GBIF occurrence records on a 1° grid; only extant taxa of this checklist are used, so fossil records are excluded. Dot size and shade show the number of records inside a cell.
Related papers
Cached papers for this genus (matched automatically, for reference); to search this species with its junior synonyms merged in, use the literature search.
- Redescription of the enigmatic genus Genuotermes Emerson (Isoptera, Termitidae, Termitinae)
Abstract
The imago and soldier castes of the Neotropical Termitinae species Genuotermes spinifer Emerson are redescribed. The gut anatomy of the worker is described in detail for the first time, and morphological variations in the soldier are noted and illustrated. The known geographical distribution of Genuotermes spinifer is greatly expanded.
Papers on this species, synonyms included → OpenAlex Google Scholar CNKI
Abstracts come from open metadata; copyright remains with the original authors/publishers. For reference only — please check the original.
Cite this species
Citation strings are generated from the fields of this page; please keep the DOI and the version number when citing.
GB/T 7714
班奈特格林. Extant Isoptera (termites): a checklist of Latin and Chinese names: Genuotermes spinifer 具脊膝白蚁[EB/OL]. Version 2026.10.30. https://termite-extant-isoptera.org/en/species/genuotermes-spinifer/. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23646836.
BibTeX
@misc{isoptera_genuotermes_spinifer_2026,
author = {班奈特格林},
title = {Genuotermes spinifer: a checklist of extant Isoptera (termites)},
year = {2026},
version = {2026.10.30},
howpublished = {https://termite-extant-isoptera.org/en/species/genuotermes-spinifer/},
note = {TERMITIDAE; version 2026.10.30; DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23646836},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23646836}
}
RIS
TY - ELEC TI - Genuotermes spinifer: a checklist of extant Isoptera (termites) AU - 班奈特格林 PY - 2026 UR - https://termite-extant-isoptera.org/en/species/genuotermes-spinifer/ DO - 10.5281/zenodo.23646836 ER -