Kalotermitidae Research Articles

A new cryptic species of Australian Glyptotermes (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) discovered by effective use of morphological characteristics of primary reproductives

AbstractClosely related species within termite genera often show extremely similar morphology, where morphological characteristics of soldiers alone or imagos (including alates and primary reproductives) alone are sometimes insufficient to establish new species. However, many original descriptions of termite species are based on soldier characteristics alone, because of the seasonal occurrence of alates and the difficulty in collecting primary reproductives. Importantly, primary reproductives of the family Kalotermitidae (so‐called drywood termites) are relatively easy to collect from field colonies compared with those of the other termite families. Here, we describe a new kalotermitid species, Glyptotermes matsuurai sp. nov., from Australia by effective use of morphological characteristics of primary reproductives. Glyptotermes matsuurai is distinguished from the Australian species G. iridipennis Froggatt, 1896 by the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene; however, it is not distinguishable from G. iridipennis based on the external morphology of soldiers. It therefore forms a species complex with G. iridipennis. Although we could collect alates of G. matsuurai from only one of the field‐collected colonies kept in the laboratory, we conducted morphological analyses of imagos from multiple colonies by using primary reproductives collected from field colonies. As a result of our morphological analyses of imagos, we found that G. matsuurai is morphologically distinguishable from all other species of Australian Glyptotermes. Thus, when enough alates are unavailable, morphological characteristics of primary reproductives can be used to facilitate the discovery of undescribed cryptic species at least in the genus Glyptotermes and possibly in other genera within the family Kalotermitidae.

Nitrogen fixation in different termite lineages and diets

Abstract Nitrogen fixation is often cited as an important nitrogen source for termites. However, the rate of nitrogen fixation between experiments and termite species is highly variable due to termite diversity and sampling limitations. New evidence suggests that subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) (Blattodea, Rhinotermitidae) seek alternative dietary nitrogen sources for colony growth and development. This study compares N2 fixation rates and nitrogenase gene expression rates to a diverse assemblage of feeding groups. It was observed that nitrogenase expression was much higher in one-piece nesting termites from the family Kalotermitidae which lack access to soil. On the other hand, subterranean termites from the family Rhinotermitidae fix nitrogen at much lower rates, not differing from ambient nitrogenase activity in soil.

Inventorying Various Termite Species Attacking Agricultural Crops in Tamil Nadu, India

Termite attack causes severe damage in agricultural crops viz., wheat, sugarcane, maize, sorghum, groundnut and fruit trees. An explicit survey was done in various districts of Tamil Nadu, India, for inventorying different termite species inflicting damage in major crops viz., groundnut, sugarcane and maize.The termite species attacking important agricultural crops of Tamil Nadu were morphologically identified as Odontotermesobesus, O. wallonensis, O. redemanni, O. hornii and O. brunneus pertaining to subfamily Macrotermitinae and Nasutitermesbrunneus of subfamily Nasutitermitinae, both falling under the family Termitidae and Neotermesbosei belonging to subfamily Kalotermitinae under family Kalotermitidae.

A new species of termite, Neotermes Holmgren (Blattodea: Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) from India with a note on morphometry of Neotermes nilamburensis Thakur

ABSTRACT Southern India is unique by many endemic species of flora and fauna especially in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. Neotermes Holmgren is widely distributed genus of the family Kalotermitidae. A new species of kalotermitid termite, Neotermes viraktamathi sp. nov. is here described from Karnataka part of Western Ghats. The species was collected from a dead branch of a live tree. Additionally, for the first time, 16S rRNA sequence of an Indian Neotermes is provided. A note on variation observed in morphometrics of an endemic species, Neotermes nilamburensis Thakur is also discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C1B5291B-65E4-4C91-8E27-81F7CC875CB6

First record of the termite family Kalotermitidae (Blattodea: Termitoidae) in Korea

• The termite family Kalotermitidae Froggatt is reported for the first time in Korea. • Diagnosis and habitus images of Glyptotermes nakajimai Morimoto are presented. • A key to termite species in Korea is provided. The drywood termite Kalotermitidae Froggatt, represented by Glyptotermes nakajimai Morimoto, is identified for the first time in Korea. They were collected in Yeoseo-do Island, the southern part of the Korean peninsula. A key to the termite species in Korea, habitus photographs of all castes, ecological information, and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided.

New record of <i>Cryptotermes bengalensis</i> (Snyder, 1934) (Isoptera: Blattodea) from Nagaland along with an unusual instance of association

The drywood termite Cryptotermes bengalensis (Snyder, 1934) of family Kalotermitidae is reported for the first time from Nagaland. An unusual instance of association of this species along with Nasutitermes garoensis Roonwal and Chhotani and Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) of family Termitidae was observed. The occurrence of Kalotermitidae and Termitidae together in the same nest as reported in this study is quite intriguing.

Expanded New World Distributions of Genera in the Termite Family Kalotermitidae

The New World Kalotermitidae constitute about one-fourth of all termite species in this region. The geographic distributions of all fifteen kalotermitid genera are updated based on records in the University of Florida Termite Collection and in the literature. Range-appropriate exotic records of four pest species are also given. New distribution records are presented on maps, and representative soldier photographs are provided for each genus.

Relative occurrence of the family Kalotermitidae (Isoptera) under different termite sampling methods

The termite family Kalotermitidae constitutes a wood-nesting termite family that accounts for about 15% of all extant termite species. In recent decades, field studies have been carried out to assess termite diversity in various wooded habitats and geographic locations. Three sampling methods have been favored expert, transect, and alate light-trap surveys. Expert collecting is not spatially quantifiable but relies on field personnel to recognize and sample termite niches. The transect method aims to standardize and quantify termite abundance and diversity. Light trapping is a passive method for sampling nocturnal alate flights. We compared our expert survey results and results of published sampling methods for their proportional yields of kalotermitid versus non-kalotermitid encounters. Using an odds ratio statistic, we found that worldwide, there is about a 50.6-fold greater likelihood of encountering a kalotermitid sample versus a non-kalotermitid using the expert survey method and a 15.3-fold greater likelihood using alate trapping than using the transect method. There is about a 3.3 -fold greater likelihood of collecting a kalotermitid specimen versus a non-kalotermitid sample using the expert survey method than using the alate trap method. Transect studies in which only termite species diversity was reported gave similar low Kalotermitidae yields. We propose that multiple biases in sampling methodology include tools, time constraints, habitat type, geographical location, topographical conditions, and human traits account for the divergent outcomes in sampling the abundance and diversity of Kalotermitidae compared to other termite families.

Termites (Insecta: Blattodea) buildings in urban located in the municipality of Seropédica, RJ

The Termites (Blattodea) are insects found between latitudes 52° N e 45° S in temperate climate places, such as in tropical areas. In Brazil, about 300 species were recorded belonging to four families: Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae and Termitidae. Considered eusocial, they form colonies of individuals with overlapping generations, cooperative care of offspring and labor division. They develop by paurometabolism and are classified in caste with specific tasks within the colony. The staple food of termites is cellulose, but its source varies according to the species. In natural vegetation areas, termites have got an important ecological role, participating actively in recycling and decomposition of nutrients in ecosystems they inhabit. Besides of the positive contribution in changing soil porosity and aeration. In urban areas, 10% of the species are taken as plagues, causing enormous losses, explicit in cost with prevention, control and repair. Damage caused by termites in urban areas are mainly attributed to the species: Cryptotermes brevis (Walker, 1853), Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) and Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1896). Therefore, identifying termites species that colonize urban households in the municipality of Seropedica, RJ, has been the objective of this study. Three urban neighbourhoods: Fazenda Caxias, Boa Esperanca and Ecologia, were sampled. Building were inspectied and owners interviewed, totalling twelve residents per block in fifteen blocks per neighbourhood. Proportion of infested buildings with each species was made suing the χ 2 test and the probability level, from which a comparison was considered significant, was equal to the risk probability at 5% divided by the number of comparisons. Of the total 540 inspections, 30% of the households had occurrence of termites of which 50% C. brevis, 42% C. gestroi and 8% N. corniger. Coexistence of species within a residence was found in only 3% of the inspected households. The occurrence of moisture spots in residences was found in 34% of the most infested households (44%) over the moisture spotless (22%). Infestation history in the past five years was recorded in 31% of the households and in general, residences with previous history, were more infested (58%) than the residences without history (17%). Generally, the infestation by termites takes place via exotic and native species, being the exotic species more relevant in colonization of the municipality residences. Occurrence of N. corniger has not been identified at Ecologia neighbourhood, which had greatest occurrence of C. gestroi in attacked residences. Buildings without moisture spots are predominantly infested by C. brevis. The species C. gestroi and C. brevis are the most seen in residences with infestation history, whilst residences without infestation are predominantly damaged by the species C. brevis.

List of trees and shrubs infested by Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae) in Greece

In Greece, the damage caused to trees and shrubs by termites has been increasing over the last 10 years. Local government and citizens have become interested in this pest due to frequent accidents caused by trees falling onto pavements, cars and people. This led the authors to carry out a survey to list the termite‐infested plant species, mainly on urban streets and in fields all over the country. The only termite species found was Kalotermes flavicollis (family Kalotermitidae). The present study highlights the current situation in Greece and provides a list of the fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs found to be infested by K. flavicollis, during the survey.

First record of intersex in neotenic reproductives of the termite Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

AbstractDrywood termites of the family Kalotermitidae present a very flexible developmental pattern, in which pseudergates are totipotent and may become reproductives. In this study, three colonies of Cryptotermes brevis headed by neotenic reproductives were used: (i) colony A, with a primary king and a neotenic queen; (ii) colony B, with a primary queen and a neotenic king; and (iii) colony C, with neotenic king and queen. The primary king from colony A and the neotenic king from colony B presented well‐developed reproductive systems, with conspicuous testicular lobes and cysts containing spermatozoa also observed in the seminal vesicles. The neotenic queen of colony A and the primary queen of colony B had ovaries with several oocytes in early developmental stages with some of them already vitellogenic and terminal, which suggests egg‐laying activity. Both of these queens presented the spermathecae lumen filled with spermatozoa. The queen of colony C had vitellogenic oocytes; however, the oocytes were not terminal and the lumen of spermathecae was devoid of spermatozoa and secretions. The seminal vesicles of colony C neotenic king have no spermatozoa. This king displayed a previtellogenic oocyte among its testicular lobes, which suggested that this individual was an intersex.

Review on The Incidence and Management of Coconut Termites

Coconut, a major plantation crop in tropics is constrained with both biotic and abiotic factors. Amongst the biotic constraints, termites are the major soil insect-pests in the orchard that can cause damage up to 20% particularly in nursery. In India, termites are found in almost all the coconut growing tracts, but not considered serious except in the nursery. Coconut is grown in cultivated, and in uncultivated (wild/semi-wild) situations in our country, are ravaged by termites mostly by Odontotermes spp. Other, coconut growing countries are affected by other termites (species of Microtermes, Microcerotermes, Coptotermes, Nasutitermes and Neotermes). Worldwide, termites attacking coconut comprise of three families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and eleven genera. In India, termites attacking coconut are exclusively subterranean unlike in other regions (mostly Island nations), where arboreal termites are included. In the latter case, role of ants as biocontrol agent is documented. Microbial pesticides as such are not recommended, is being reasoned out. This review deals with distribution, nature of damage and management aspects in the associated context. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and few indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) are also highlighted.

‘CandidatusAncillula trichonymphae’, a novel lineage of endosymbiotic Actinobacteria in termite gut flagellates of the genus Trichonympha

Termite gut flagellates are colonized by host-specific lineages of ectosymbiotic and endosymbiotic bacteria. Previous studies have shown that flagellates of the genus Trichonympha may harbour more than one type of symbiont. Using a comprehensive approach that combined cloning of SSU rRNA genes with fluorescence in situ hybridization and electron microscopy, we investigated the phylogeny and subcellular locations of the symbionts in a variety of Trichonympha species from different termites. The flagellates in Trichonympha Cluster I were the only species associated with 'Endomicrobia', which were located in the posterior part of the cell, confirming previous results. Trichonympha species of Cluster II from the termite genus Incisitermes (family Kalotermitidae) lacked 'Endomicrobia' and were associated with endosymbiotic Actinobacteria, which is highly unusual. The endosymbionts, for which we suggest the name 'Candidatus Ancillula trichonymphae', represent a novel, deep-branching lineage in the Micrococcineae that consists exclusively of clones from termite guts. They preferentially colonized the anterior part of the flagellate host and were highly abundant in all species of Trichonympha Cluster II except Trichonympha globulosa. Here, they were outnumbered by a Desulfovibrio species associated with the cytoplasmic lamellae at the anterior cell pole. Such symbionts are present in both Trichonympha clusters, but not in all species. Unlike the intracellular location reported for the Desulfovibrio symbionts of Trichonympha agilis (Cluster I), the Desulfovibrio symbionts of T. globulosa (Cluster II) were situated in deep invaginations of the plasma membrane that were clearly connected to the exterior of the host cell.

Kumar Krishna, in appreciation

Kumar Krishna, in appreciation

Molecular and morphological analysis of the family Calonymphidae with a description of Calonympha chia sp. nov., Snyderella kirbyi sp. nov., Snyderella swezyae sp. nov. and Snyderella yamini sp. nov.

Calonymphids are a group of multinucleate, multiflagellate protists belonging to the order Cristamonadida (Parabasalia) that are found exclusively in the hindgut of termites from the family Kalotermitidae. Despite their impressive morphological complexity and diversity, few species have been formally described and fewer still have been characterized at the molecular level. In this study, four novel species of calonymphids were isolated and characterized: Calonympha chia and Snyderella yamini spp. nov., from Neotermes castaneus and Calcaritermes nearcticus from Florida, USA, and Snyderella kirbyi and Snyderella swezyae, spp. nov., from Calcaritermes nigriceps and Cryptotermes cylindroceps from Colombia. Each of these species was distinguished from its congeners by residing in a distinct host and by differences at the molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses of small subunit (SSU) rDNA indicated that the genera Calonympha and Stephanonympha were probably not monophyletic, though the genus Snyderella, previously only represented by one sequence in molecular analyses, appeared with these new data to be monophyletic. This was in keeping with the traditional evolutionary view of the group in which the morphology of the genus Snyderella is considered to be derived, while that of the genus Stephanonympha is ancestral and therefore probably plesiomorphic.

Quantitative Changes in Hydrocarbons over Time in Fecal Pellets of Incisitermes minor May Predict Whether Colonies Are Alive or Dead

Hydrocarbon mixtures extracted from fecal pellets of drywood termites are species-specific and can be characterized to identify the termites responsible for damage, even when termites are no longer present or are unable to be recovered easily. In structures infested by drywood termites, it is common to find fecal pellets, but difficult to sample termites from the wood. When fecal pellets appear after remedial treatment of a structure, it is difficult to determine whether this indicates that termites in the structure are still alive and active or not. We examined the hydrocarbon composition of workers, alates, and soldiers of Incisitermes minor (Hagen) (family Kalotermitidae) and of fecal pellets of workers. Hydrocarbons were qualitatively similar among castes and pellets. Fecal pellets that were aged for periods of 0, 30, 90, and 365 days after collection were qualitatively similar across all time periods, however, the relative quantities of certain individual hydrocarbons changed over time, with 19 of the 73 hydrocarbon peaks relatively increasing or decreasing. When the sums of the positive and negative slopes of these 19 hydrocarbons were indexed, they produced a highly significant linear correlation (R 2 = 0.89). Consequently, the quantitative differences of these hydrocarbons peaks can be used to determine the age of worker fecal pellets, and thus help determine whether the colony that produced them is alive or dead.

The phylogeny of termites (Dictyoptera: Isoptera) based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers: Implications for the evolution of the worker and pseudergate castes, and foraging behaviors

A phylogenetic hypothesis of termite relationships was inferred from DNA sequence data. Seven gene fragments (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase I, cytochrome oxidase II and cytochrome b) were sequenced for 40 termite exemplars, representing all termite families and 14 outgroups. Termites were found to be monophyletic with Mastotermes darwiniensis (Mastotermitidae) as sister group to the remainder of the termites. In this remainder, the family Kalotermitidae was sister group to other families. The families Kalotermitidae, Hodotermitidae and Termitidae were retrieved as monophyletic whereas the Termopsidae and Rhinotermitidae appeared paraphyletic. All of these results were very stable and supported with high bootstrap and Bremer values. The evolution of worker caste and foraging behavior were discussed according to the phylogenetic hypothesis. Our analyses suggested that both true workers and pseudergates (“false workers”) were the result of at least two different origins. Our data support a traditional hypothesis of foraging behavior, in which the evolutionary transition from a one-piece type to a separate life type occurred through an intermediate behavioral form.

Coevolution of symbiotic spirochete diversity in lower termites.

The phylogenetic relationships of symbiotic spirochetes from five dry-wood feeding lower termites (Cryptotermes cavifrons, Heterotermes tenuis, Kalotermes flavicollis, Neotermes mona, and Reticulitermes grassei) was compared to those described in previous reports. The 16S rDNA bacterial genes were PCR-amplified from DNA isolated from intestinal samples using a spirochete-selective primer, and the 16S amplicons were cloned into Escherichia coli. Sequences of the cloned inserts were then used to determine closest relatives by comparison with published sequences. Clones sharing more than 97% sequence identity were grouped into the same phylotype. Forty-three new phylotypes were identified. These termite whole-gut-spirochetes fell into two previous defined clusters, designated as Treponema Clusters I and II, and one new Cluster III. Thirty-seven phylotypes were grouped in Cluster I. Cluster II comprised three phylotypes, two from Reticulitermes grassei (LJ029 and LJ012) and one from Heterotermes tenuis (LQ016). Three phylotypes, LK057, LK050 and LK028, were affiliated to Cluster III. Members of Cluster I showed the following characteristics: (i) spirochete phylotypes from a particular species of termite were more closely related to each other than to phylotypes of other termite species; (ii) spirochetes obtained from different genera of the same family, such as Cryptotermes sp., Kalotermes sp., and Neotermes sp., all from the family Kalotermitidae, were also related to each other. It was therefore concluded that spirochetes are specific symbionts that have coevolved with their respective species of termites, are stably harbored, and are closely related to members of the same termite family.

Recursos alimentares explorados pelos cupins (Insecta: Isoptera)

Os cupins são insetos sociais pertencentes à ordem Isoptera e constituem um dos grupos de invertebrados dominantes em ambientes terrestres tropicais. Atualmente, existem cerca de 2.900 espécies descritas, que estão distribuídas em sete famílias: Mastotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Rhinotermitidae e Termitidae. A região neotropical engloba 537 espécies, e dessas, aproximadamente 300 ocorrem no Brasil e pertencem às famílias Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae e Termitidae. Apesar dos isópteros serem bastante conhecidos pelo seu potencial como praga, o papel ecológico dos térmitas no ambiente é primordial, visto que desempenham o papel de consumidores primários e/ou decompositores nos ecossistemas naturais. Esses insetos participam ativamente na trituração, decomposição, humificação e mineralização de uma variedade de recursos celulósicos. Uma grande diversidade de material orgânico, em vários estágios de decomposição, pode servir de alimento para os cupins, incluindo madeira (viva ou morta), gramíneas, plantas herbáceas, serapilheira, fungos, ninhos construídos por outras espécies de cupins, excrementos e carcaças de animais, liquens e até mesmo material orgânico presente no solo (húmus). Essa vasta gama de fontes alimentares permitiu aos cupins ocuparem quase todas as regiões quentes e temperadas da Terra, ocorrendo em praticamente todos os ambientes terrestres, naturais ou modificados pela espécie humana. Portanto, os isópteros são encontrados nas matas tropicais e temperadas, cerrados, savanas, caatingas, restingas, mangues, campos, culturas, pastagens e cidades.

The genitalia of termites (isoptera): Possibilities of using in taxonomy

An attempt has been made to use some structures of the external genitalia in the taxonomy of termites. Twenty-five species of four largest families were examined. Only the female external genitalia appeared to be suitable for identification of species, with some genital structures (medisternite, basivalvae, parasternites, etc.) being most important for these purposes. The taxonomic suitability of these structures is different in different families. In the family Kalotermitidae, the medisternite and spermathecal opening are strongly sclerotized and suitable for the species identification, whereas the basivalvae are reduced or lost. In Hodotermitidae, the basivalvae are well-developed and their shape is different in different species. Structural features of the basivalvae and spermathecal opening are species-specific in Rhinotermitidae, the shape of the basivalvae and position of the spermathecal opening, in Termitidae. In addition, species of Termitidae have a characteristic strigation of the basivalvae. In Macrotermitinae and Nasutitermitinae, the anterior margins of sternite IX are well sclerotized and form parasternites. The structures proposed by us as diagnostic vary only within species.