Abstract
Recently, we completed a revision of the Termitidae from New Guinea and neighboring islands, recording a total of 45 species. Here, we revise a second family, the Rhinotermitidae, to progress towards a full picture of the termite diversity in New Guinea. Altogether, 6 genera and 15 species are recorded, among which two species, Coptotermes gambrinus and Parrhinotermes barbatus, are new to science. The genus Heterotermes is reported from New Guinea for the first time, with two species restricted to the southern part of the island. We also provide the first New Guinea records for six species of the genera Coptotermes and Schedorhinotermes. We briefly describe soldiers and imagoes of each species and provide a key based on soldier characters. Finally, we discuss the taxonomic and biogeographical implication of our results. A replacement name, Schedolimulus minutides Bourguignon, is proposed for the termitophilous staphylinid Schedolimulus minutus Bourguignon, to solve a question of secondary homonymy.
Highlights
The Rhinotermitidae constitute one of the most widespread termite families, including numerous pest species
The present work complements our series of monographic revisions on New Guinean Termitidae, in which we recorded a total of 45 species in 13 genera (Roisin 1990, Roisin and Pasteels 1996, 2000, Bourguignon et al 2008)
After examination of samples of S. marjoriae and S. translucens, we found that differences between soldier mandibles of the two alleged species are by far smaller than variation observed among New Guinean specimens
Summary
The Rhinotermitidae constitute one of the most widespread termite families, including numerous pest species. The Rhinotermitidae comprise several genera of uncertain affinities, such as Prorhinotermes, Termitogeton and Psammotermes, and two well-supported clades: (i) the Rhinotermitinae, including Parrhinotermes, Schedorhinotermes and the neotropical Rhinotermes-group; (ii) the Heterotermitinae + Coptotermitinae, comprising Reticulitermes, Heterotermes and Coptotermes. In southeast Asia, the Rhinotermitidae are represented by six genera: Parrhinotermes, Schedorhinotermes, Coptotermes, Heterotermes, Prorhinotermes and Termitogeton. Some recent revisions or compilations of distributional data are available for Rhinotermitidae in Southeast Asia and Australia. The present work complements our series of monographic revisions on New Guinean Termitidae, in which we recorded a total of 45 species in 13 genera (Roisin 1990, Roisin and Pasteels 1996, 2000, Bourguignon et al 2008)
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