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FIGURE 6 in Further evidence of Cretaceous termitophily: Description of new termite hosts of the trichopseniine Cretotrichopsenius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with emendations to the classification of lower termites (Isoptera)

FIGURE 6. Mandibular dentition of Arceotermes hospitis Engel & Jiang, gen. et sp. nov., soldier. A, Dorsal view of head. B, Ventral view of head. C, Line drawing detail of mandibular dentition; LA = left apical; LM = left marginal; RA = right apical; RM = right marginal. Scale bars = 1 mm in A and B).

FIGURE 5 in Further evidence of Cretaceous termitophily: Description of new termite hosts of the trichopseniine Cretotrichopsenius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with emendations to the classification of lower termites (Isoptera)

FIGURE 5. Holotype of Arceotermes hospitis Engel & Jiang, gen. et sp. nov., soldier (QUST-INSECT-0015). A, Ventral view of head, green fluorescence light source. B, Ventral view of head, with white light. C, Detail of antenna, green fluorescence light source. D, Detail of antenna, white light. E, Protarsus, ventral view, green fluorescence light source. F, Protarsus, profile, green fluorescence light source. Scale bars = 1 mm in A–D; 250 μm in E and F.

FIGURE 3 in Further evidence of Cretaceous termitophily: Description of new termite hosts of the trichopseniine Cretotrichopsenius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with emendations to the classification of lower termites (Isoptera)

FIGURE 3. Cretotrichopsenius burmiticus Cai et al., 2017a (QUST-INSECT-0015), under a green fluorescence light source. A, Dorsal habitus. B, Ventral habitus. C, Frontal view of head. D, Ventral view of legs. E, Sterna. Scale bars = 500 μm in A and B; 250 μm in C–E.

FIGURE 2 in Further evidence of Cretaceous termitophily: Description of new termite hosts of the trichopseniine Cretotrichopsenius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with emendations to the classification of lower termites (Isoptera)

FIGURE 2. Cretotrichopsenius burmiticus Cai et al., 2017a (NIGP174707), under different light sources. A, Ventral habitus under white light. B, Ventral habitus, red fluorescence light source. C, Ventral view of head and anterior thorax, green fluorescence light source. D, Dorsal view of abdomen, green fluorescence light source. E, Ventral view of posterior thorax and abdomen, green fluorescence light source. Scale bars = 0.4 mm.

FIGURE 7 in Further evidence of Cretaceous termitophily: Description of new termite hosts of the trichopseniine Cretotrichopsenius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with emendations to the classification of lower termites (Isoptera)

FIGURE 7. Holotype alate of Tanytermitalis philetaerus Engel & Cai, gen. et sp. nov., alate (NIGP174707). A, Dorsal habitus. B, Detail of portion of right antenna as preserved. C, Dorsal view of head. D, Ventral view of head, green fluorescence light source. E, Right foreleg. F, Left midleg. G, Left hind leg. Scale bars = 1 mm in A–D; 400 μm in E–G.

opencc-zeroSep 2021View details →

Data from: First evidence of wasp brood development inside active nests of a termite with the description of a previously unknown potter wasp species

Potter wasps (Vespidae: Eumeninae) are known to exhibit not only sophisticated preying strategies but also a remarkable ability to manipulate clay during nest building. Due to a mixture of plasticity in building behaviour and flexibility in substrate preferences during nest-building, the group has been reported nesting in a variety of places, including decaying nests abandoned by termite species. Yet, evidence of wasps nesting inside senescent termite mounds is poorly reported and, to date, accounts confirming their presence inside active colonies of termites are absent. Here, we address a novel intriguing association between two species from the Brazilian Cerrado: a previously unknown potter wasp (nest invader) and a termite species (nest builder). Besides scientifically describing Montezumia termitophila sp. nov. (Vespidae: Eumeninae), named after its association with the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), we provide preliminary information about the new species' bionomics by including (i) a hypothetical life cycle based on the evidence we collected and (ii) a footage showing the first interaction between a recently ecloded wasp and a group of termites. In doing so, we attempt to provoke relevant discussions in the field and, perhaps, motivate further studies with the group. Finally, we describe a solution to efficiently detect and sample termitophilous species from termite nests, an intrinsic yet challenging task of any studies dealing with such a cryptic biological system.Potter wasps (Vespidae: Eumeninae) are known to exhibit not only sophisticated preying strategies but also a remarkable ability to manipulate clay during nest building. Due to a mixture of plasticity in building behaviour and flexibility in substrate preferences during nest-building, the group has been reported nesting in a variety of places, including decaying nests abandoned by termite species. Yet, evidence of wasps nesting inside senescent termite mounds is poorly reported and, to date, accounts confirming their presence inside active colonies of termites are absent. Here, we address a novel intriguing association between two species from the Brazilian Cerrado: a previously unknown potter wasp (nest invader) and a termite species (nest builder). Besides scientifically describing Montezumia termitophila sp. nov. (Vespidae: Eumeninae), named after its association with the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), we provide preliminary information about the new species' bionomics by including (i) a hypothetical life cycle based on the evidence we collected and (ii) a footage showing the first interaction between a recently ecloded wasp and a group of termites. In doing so, we attempt to provoke relevant discussions in the field and, perhaps, motivate further studies with the group. Finally, we describe a solution to efficiently detect and sample termitophilous species from termite nests, an intrinsic yet challenging task of any studies dealing with such a cryptic biological system.

opennotspecifiedNov 2022View details →

FIGURE 2. Ophiocordyceps ovatospora. a in Ophiocordyceps ovatospora sp. nov. (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales), pathogenic on termites from China

FIGURE 2. Ophiocordyceps ovatospora. a. Fungus on termite. b. Fertile part of stroma. c, d. Cross-section of ascoma showing perithecial arrangement. e, f. Asci. g–i. Ascospores. j, k. Colonies on PDA medium. l–o. Conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars: a = 2 cm, b = 0.5 cm, c = 200 µm, d = 100 µm, e–f = 20 µm, g = 10 µm, h–i = 20 µm, j–k = 2 cm, l–o = 10 µm.

opennotspecifiedNov 2022View details →

FIGURE 1. Phylogenetic tree inferred from a in Ophiocordyceps ovatospora sp. nov. (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales), pathogenic on termites from China

FIGURE 1. Phylogenetic tree inferred from a combined ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1a, rpb1, rpb2 dataset based on Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. Values at the nodes are BI posterior probabilities (BP) and ML bootstrap proportions (PP), the scale bar 0.02 indicates the number of expected mutations per site. Cordyceps militaris and C. kyusyuensis in the Cordycipitaceae were used as the outgroup. The new species is in bold.

opennotspecifiedDec 2022View details →

FIGURE 5 in Caetetermes fontesi, a new nasutiform termite (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) from French Guiana

FIGURE 5. Caetetermes workers: A. dosal view; and B. lateral views of broad-gap (left) and narrow-gap head capsules of C. fontesi; C. whole enteric valve armature (EVA) of C. fontesi (some fungal hyphae in center); D. broad-gap (left) and narrow-gap mandibles (arrows) of C. fontesi; largest posterior cushions of EVAs from E. C. fontesi and, F. C. taquarussu from Ecuador (EC1193); G. whole EVA preparations from EC1193 and, H. from French Guiana (FG87).

opennotspecifiedDec 2022View details →

FIGURE 3 in Caetetermes fontesi, a new nasutiform termite (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) from French Guiana

FIGURE 3. Caetetermes taquarussu soldier variation: A, B. C. taquarussu from Ecuador (EC1193); C, D. C. taquarussu from French Guiana (FG87).

opennotspecifiedDec 2022View details →

FIGURE 1 in Caetetermes fontesi, a new nasutiform termite (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) from French Guiana

FIGURE 1. Caetetermes fontesi soldier: A, dorsal view of head capsule; B, lateral view of head capsule; C, dorsal habitus of preserved specimen; D, dorsal view of thorax and anterior abdomen.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

You eat what you find – local patterns in vegetation structure control diets of African fungus-growing termites

Fungus-growing termites and their symbiotic Termitomyces fungi are critically important carbon and nutrient recyclers in arid and semiarid environments of sub-Saharan Africa. A major proportion of plant litter produced in these ecosystems is decomposed within nest chambers of termite mounds, where temperature and humidity are kept optimal for the fungal symbionts. While fungus-growing termites are generally believed to exploit a wide range of different plant substrates, the actual diets of most species remain elusive. We studied dietary niches of two Macrotermes species across the semiarid savanna landscape in the Tsavo Ecosystem, southern Kenya, based on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes in Termitomyces fungus combs. We applied Bayesian mixing models to determine the proportion of grass and woody plant matter in the combs, these being the two major food sources available for Macrotermes species in the region. Our results showed that both termite species, and colonies cultivating different Termitomyces fungi, occupied broad and largely overlapping isotopic niches, indicating no dietary specialization. Including laser scanning derived vegetation cover estimates to the dietary mixing model revealed that the proportion of woody plant matter in fungus combs increased with increasing woody plant cover in the nest surroundings. Nitrogen content of fungus combs was positively correlated with woody plant cover around the mounds and negatively correlated with the proportion of grass matter in the comb. Considering the high N demand of large Macrotermes colonies, woody plant matter seems to thus represent a more profitable food source than grass. As grass is also utilized by grazing mammals, and the availability of grass matter typically fluctuates over the year, mixed woodland-grasslands and bushlands seem to represent more favorable habitats for large Macrotermes colonies than open grasslands.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Development of microsatellite markers for colony delineation of the invasive Asian subterranean termite in South Florida and Taiwan

Delineating the colony identity of Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) is a core issue of colony elimination in the implementation of subterranean termite baiting systems. Invasion history is believed the possible cause of genetic variabilities among colonies. Haplotype network analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II revealed the multiple origins of American C. gestroi from the Philippines and Southeast Asia and the Taiwan population only from the Philippines. We further developed 21 new microsatellite markers for the comparison of genetic variabilities on colony delineation of C. gestroi colonies from South Florida (invaded ~30 years; 3–7 generations) and Taiwan (~110 years; 13–27 generations). The present microsatellite markers with 1–4 alleles per locus have validated the effectiveness of colony delineation for three incipient colonies reared in the laboratory and three field colonies from Taiwan. Genetic admixture of the Floridian C. gestroi probably caused by recent invasion history, multiple invasions, and anthropogenic activities among regions. A possible introduction event likely occurred through human-mediated activities between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Overall, these new microsatellite markers provide suitable and efficient candidate genetic markers for colony delineation of C. gestroi to consolidate the effectiveness of the colony elimination system in termite management.

opencc-zeroMar 2023View details →

Female-biased sex allocation and lack of inbreeding avoidance in Cubitermes termites

Sexually-reproducing organisms face a strong selective pressure to find a mate and ensure reproduction. An important criterion during mate-selection is to avoid closely-related individuals and subsequent potential fitness costs of resulting inbred offspring. Inbreeding avoidance can be active through kin recognition during mate choice, or passive through differential male and female-biased sex ratios, which effectively prevents sib-mating. In addition, sex allocation, or the resources allotted to male and female offspring, can impact mating and reproductive success. Here, we investigate mate choice, sex ratios, and sex allocation in dispersing reproductives (alates) from colonies of the termite Cubitermes tenuiceps. Termites have a short time to select a mate for life, which should intensify any fitness consequences of inbreeding. However, alates did not actively avoid inbreeding through mate choice via kin recognition based on genetic or environmental cues. Furthermore, the majority of colonies exhibited a female-biased sex ratio, and none exhibited a male-bias, indicating that differential bias does not reduce inbreeding. Sex allocation was generally female-biased, as females also were heavier, but the potential fitness effect of this costly strategy remains unclear. The bacterium Wolbachia, known in other insects to parasitically distort sex allocation toward females, was present within all alates. While Wolbachia is commonly associated with termites, parasitism has yet to be demonstrated, warranting further study of the nature of the symbiosis. Both the apparent lack of inbreeding avoidance and potential maladaptive sex allocation implies possible negative effects on mating and fitness.

FIGURE 8 in Description of a novel termite ectoparasite, Termitaria hexasporodochia sp. nov. (Kathistaceae), presenting an unusual six-sectioned infestation, and a key to the fungal family Kathistaceae

FIGURE 8. Upper region structure of T. hexasporodochia sp. nov. A. Confocal stack image showing position of sporodochia on the ventral surface of Amitermes worker abdomen with six prominent elliptical sporodochia of T. hexasporodochia sp. nov. on ventral sternites 4, 5, and 6. Thick dark expiculum present along the periphery of each lesion. B. Confocal stack image just below the pad surface, showing sporodochia appears densely populated with 12,000–14,000 hexagonal pores (textura angularis), with the conidial spores (Cs) visible within each tubular hymenial channel leading to the apical pore. C. SEM image showing apical most surface of the hexagonal honeycomb of phialides, in contrast to the smooth, crust like expiculum (Ex) 4- Phialides terminate in two blunt bivalved flaps (Bf) that appear as two isosceles trapezoidal flaps that combine to form a hexagonal unit. Scale bars: C-100 μm, D-4 μm. Photographed by Steve Davis.

FIGURE 7. Phialide and spores SEM. A in Description of a novel termite ectoparasite, Termitaria hexasporodochia sp. nov. (Kathistaceae), presenting an unusual six-sectioned infestation, and a key to the fungal family Kathistaceae

FIGURE 7. Phialide and spores SEM. A. internal surface of the hymenial phialide, with dense minute filamentous coating B. Sporogenous structure prior to endogenous division at conidiogenous loci. C. Rectangular, catenate conidial spores located beyond the conidiogenous locus indicated by arrow. Scale bars: A—500 nm, B—3.0 μm, C—2 μm. Photographed by Steve Davis.

FIGURE 6 in Description of a novel termite ectoparasite, Termitaria hexasporodochia sp. nov. (Kathistaceae), presenting an unusual six-sectioned infestation, and a key to the fungal family Kathistaceae

FIGURE 6. Microscopic ultrastructure of T. hexasporodochia sp. nov. sporodochium. A. Transverse section of a single sporodochium resting upon the cuticle of the host. B. Transverse view of the bivalve flap terminations of the phialides. C. Rectangular conidia assemblage within the phialide are formed endogenously and in basipetal succession D. Fixed conidiogenous locus in which spore differentiation occurs (Cl) E. Basal region of the sporodochium in right corner of image showing initial phialidic growth, and left bottom of image shows thick haustorial layer (Hs) extending below the host cuticle (termite). F. Host cuticle (Hc) with underlaying haustoria. Scale bars: A—100 μm, B—5 μm, C—10 μm, D—50 μm, E—30 μm. Photographed by Steve Davis.

FIGURE 5. Sporodochial layers CLSM. A in Description of a novel termite ectoparasite, Termitaria hexasporodochia sp. nov. (Kathistaceae), presenting an unusual six-sectioned infestation, and a key to the fungal family Kathistaceae

FIGURE 5. Sporodochial layers CLSM. A. Upper region (UR), Sporogenous Region composed of a phialidic hymenium (SR), Basal region (BR) composed of haustorial mother cells and subhymenial layer that gives rise to SR. B. Basal most layer above insect cuticle 4-5 rows thick. White circle indicates thick haustorial mother cells that give rise to a subcuticular layer of haustoria that penetrates the host cuticle. White arrows indicate major penetration points between T. hexasporodochia sp. nov. and host cuticle. C. Confocal stack of tetralocular junctures between host cuticle and parasite. Photographed by Steve Davis.

FIGURE 3. T in Description of a novel termite ectoparasite, Termitaria hexasporodochia sp. nov. (Kathistaceae), presenting an unusual six-sectioned infestation, and a key to the fungal family Kathistaceae

FIGURE 3. T. hexasporodochia sp. nov. host. A. Dorsal view of soldier and worker caste morphology useful in termite species identification. Ventral view of un-infested worker and location of paired sporodochia on abdominal segments 4-6 on infested workers (rare). Corresponding confocal images of longitudinal abdominal muscles included on far right of figure, with apparent abdominal swelling in infested worker muscle. B. Light microscope images of intact un-infested termite worker and infested termite worker intact. Scale bars: 500 μm, 500 μm, 100 μm. Photographed by Steve Davis. Illustrated by Megan Wilson.

FIGURE 1 in Description of a novel termite ectoparasite, Termitaria hexasporodochia sp. nov. (Kathistaceae), presenting an unusual six-sectioned infestation, and a key to the fungal family Kathistaceae

FIGURE 1. Sporodochia forms. Schematic of various sporodochia lesions and positions. Representative forms are not exclusively found on these positions on the host, lesions can form on any external surface. Illustrated by Megan Wilson.