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Termites (Isoptera) are one of the most abundant soil invertebrates in tropical ecosystems (Wilson, 1971; Wood & Sands, 1978; Eggleton et al., 1996) and the most important soil ecosystem engineers of these environments (Bignell, 2006; Jouquet et al., 2011). In some arid and semi-arid tropical savannas, during the dry season, termites are the only active group of invertebrates able to decompose organic matter (Jouquet et al., 2011) and provide ecosystem services such as soil formation and aeration (Lavelle et al., 2006). Most species of termites are tropical, and among more than 2800 described

This contribution deals with the worker caste of the Neotropical termite fauna. It is a compilation of present knowledge about the morphology of pseudergates and workers, including the literature discussing the origin and evolution of this caste, the terminology used in the different taxonomic groups, and the techniques used to study these individuals, especially examination of the gut, mandibles, legs, and nota. In order to assist in identifying workers, it includes a key for the families that occur in the Neotropical Region and a characterization of workers of all families, especially the subfamilies of Termitidae, with descriptions and illustrations of diagnostic morphological features of genera. We point out advances and gaps in knowledge, as well as directions for future research.

The taxonomy of the neotropical termite genus Diversitermes Holmgren 1912 is revised. Three species are recognized as valid: D. castaniceps (Holmgren 1910), D. diversimiles (Silvestri 1901) and D. tiapuan, sp. n. Identification keys based on soldiers and workers are presented. Diversitermes aporeticus Mathews 1977 is transferred to the genus Velocitermes Holmgren 1912. Diversitermes needhami Roonwal, Chhotani & Verma 1981 is a junior synonym of Velocitermes heteropterus (Silvestri 1901), and D. eidmanni Roonwal, Chhotani & Verma 1981 is a junior synonym of D. castaniceps (Holmgren 1910). Eutermes strelnicovi John 1920 (=Nasutitermes strelnicovi) is a junior synonym of D. diversimiles. All castes of the three valid species are described and illustrated. Distribution maps are presented for all species.