Proneotermes macondianus, a new drywood termite from Colombia and expanded distribution of Proneotermes in the Neotropics (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae).

ABSTRACT: After more than one hundred years, a new drywood termite of the genus Proneotermes is described from the tropical dry forest in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Morphological and genetic analyses are given for Proneotermes macondianussp. n. This termite occurs in tropical dry forests in small colonies inside thin branches of dry wood. The soldier of Proneotermes macondianus is smaller and the genal horns are angled outward compared to the other two described Proneotermes species. The imago wings are unusually short and wide. Genetic analyses for COII, 12S, and 16S genes show less than three percent difference between sample localities of Proneotermes macondianus. Intergeneric comparison with selected kalotermitid genera indicates that Bifiditermes is the most closely related genus of those sequenced. New morphological descriptions and morphometric measurements of Proneotermes latifrons based on the soldier caste are also included. Neotropical locality records for Proneotermes latifrons and Proneotermes perezi are provided.

SUBMITTER: Casalla R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5096395 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature