Gut structure of two species of the neotropical genus Tauritermes Krishna (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

Abstract

Estructura del Tubo Digestivo de Dos Especies del Género Neotropical Tauritermes Krishna(Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)RESÚMEN -En este trabajo se analizó la anatomía del tubo digestivo de dos especies del género neotropical Tauritermes Krishna. Se presentan descripciones detalladas del enrollamiento del tubo digestivo y de la armadura cuticular de la molleja y del primer y segundo segmento proctodeal de pseudoergates. Aunque las principales características observadas en Tauritermes se incluyen en el patrón previamente conocido para la familia, fueron establecidas varias diferencias entre este género y otros de Kalotermitidae, principalmente con respecto a la longitud del mesenterón, la estructura y ornamentación cuticular del primer y segundo segmento proctodeal, la unión del tercer y cuarto segmento proctodeal y la armadura de la válvula rectal. Los caracteres del intestino, actualmente usados en sistemática y filogenia de termites, permiten diferenciar a Tauritermes de otros géneros de Kalotermitidae.PALABRAS CLAVE: Termite, anatomía intestinal, pseudoergate, morfología ABSTRACT -Gut morphology of two species of the neotropical genus Tauritermes Krishna was analyzed. Detailed description of the coiling gut and the cuticular armature of the gizzard and first and second proctodeal segments of pseudergates are given. The characteristics of Tauritermes gut followed the pattern previously known for the family, but some differences among this genus and other Kalotermitidae genera were: the length of the midgut, the structure and cuticular ornamentation of the first and second proctodeal segments, the junction of the third and fourth proctodeal segments and the armature of the rectal valve. Tauritermes was differentiated from other Kalotermitidae genera by means of the gut characters, currently used in termite systematics and phylogeny.

Overview of the Morphology of Neotropical Termite Workers: History and Practice

“…Gonçalves (1979) studied the gut of Rugitermes niger, and Noirot (1995) provided some insights on Kalotermes, Neotermes, Cryptotermes, Glyptotermes, and Pterotermes. More recently, Godoy (2004) treated the Neotropical genus Tauritermes. The midgut length, ornamentation, and shape of the P1 and P2, and the ornamentation of the rectal valve seem to be useful for separating taxa, although more studies are needed.…”

Tauritermes bandeirai: A new drywood termite (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae) from the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of Brazil

“…Noirot (1995) reported some consistent differences in the gut anatomy of kalotermitids compared to other lower termite families. Furthermore, Gonçalvez (1979), Myles (1997), andGodoy (2004) described parts of the gut of Rugitermes, Marginitermes, and Tauritermes, respectively. They found that differentiation of the gut morphology of kalotermitids remains elusive at both the generic and specific levels.…”

Histologia Do Canal Alimentar De Operários Da Nasutitermes Coxipoensis (Holmgren) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

“…Na ordem Isoptera as características do tubo digestivo dos operários e pseudo-operários são normalmente utilizadas em sistemáticas e filogenia, e várias pesquisas têm confirmado o valor do modelo espiral e morfologia do tubo digestivo dos operários para a sistemática em cupins superiores, principalmente na família Termitidae quando comparado aos cupins inferiores como, por exemplo, os da família Kalotermitidae, onde a anatomia é mais uniforme JOHNSON, 1979;FONTES, 1992;NOIROT, 1995;CONSTANTINO, 1998;GODOY, 2004). FONTES (1987), analisando a morfologia e configuração do tubo digestivo de cupins operários de oito gêneros (Convexitermes, Atlantitermes, Araujotermes, Coatitermes, Subulitermes, Agnathotermes, Cyranotermes e Angularitermes) da família Termitidae, observou modificações na moela, no proctodeu, na válvula entérica, na pança, no cólon e no segmento mesênteroproctodeu.…”