Resolving relationships in some African fungus-growing termites (Termitidae, Macrotermitinae) using molecular phylogeny, morphology, and field parameters

Abstract

The Macrotermitinae are a large and successful subfamily of fungus-growing termites, characterised by their symbiotic association with white-rot fungi of the genus Termitomyces. The taxonomy of the subfamily, and in particular of the largest genus Odontotermes, is problematic. We used sequences of the mitochondrial 16S gene from termites occurring in East Africa and Malawi to explore the phyletic relationships within the genus Odontotermes and to place the genus in the broader context of other fungus-growing termites. We also interpret this phylogeny in relation to classical morphological taxonomy in the form of absolute and relative dry weights of the sterile castes, and in relation to innate behaviour as shown by nest architecture and fungus comb structure. This work lays the foundations of a complete taxonomic revision of the Macrotermitinae.The phylogeny supports one clear subdivision, here called the "tanganicus" group, within the genus Odontotermes. It also supports the significance of field observations on the structure of fungus combs, as the whole "tanganicus" group builds fungus combs of the sponge type (or modified forms thereof) which are hardly known elsewhere. Other phyletic relationships are less clear, the residual sequences being referred to as the "latericius" group. We recognise three probable miniature species within the "tanganicus" group and another possible one in the residual "latericius group".

Consequences of shade management on the taxonomic patterns and functional diversity of termites (Blattodea: Termitidae) in cocoa agroforestry systems

“…Whenever possible specimens were identified to species level, and when this proved impossible, numbers (e.g., Microtermes sp. 1) were used to refer to unidentified species because of the complexity of Macrotermitinae taxonomy, and many species are not easy to be identified with certainty (Darlington, Benson, Cook, & Walker, ). New morphospecies were assigned numbers that followed the existing numbers in each genus.…”

“…Collections of soldier castes were identified to genus and sometimes to species levels using appropriate dichotomous keys (Bouillon & Mathot, 1965;Emerson, Lang, Chapin, & Bequaert, 1928;Sands, 1972Sands, , 1998, and through the reference collec- fied to species level, and when this proved impossible, numbers (e.g., Microtermes sp. 1) were used to refer to unidentified species because of the complexity of Macrotermitinae taxonomy, and many species are not easy to be identified with certainty (Darlington, Benson, Cook, & Walker, 2008). New morphospecies were assigned numbers that followed the existing numbers in each genus.…”

The impact of subterranean termite activity on water infiltration and topsoil properties in Burkina Faso

“…These are grass/wood feeding termites and the network of foraging galleries (4-5 mm diameter) made by this species is essentially horizontal, just a few millimetres under the crusted soil surface (Léonard and Rajot, 2001). Taxonomy of the genera Odontotermes is notoriously difficult (Darlington et al, 2008) and these species are not easy to identify with certainty (Sileshi et al, 2009). Hence, specific taxonomy of Odontotermes species in the research area during this research could not be performed.…”

Evidence for a Higher Number of Species of Odontotermes (Isoptera) than Currently Known from Peninsular Malaysia from Mitochondrial DNA Phylogenies

“…In-depth research on the taxonomy and phylogenetics of the Odontotermes has been conducted on the African taxa. Behaviour, nest architecture, soldier morphology and molecular phylogenetics have been used to delineate some of the African species [6] , [7] , [8] . Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies have shown that some African populations are morphologically similar but have divergent 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) sequences, while others are morphologically different but have almost identical gene sequences [7] , [8] .…”