Research Paper

Revision of Neotermes (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae) in Taiwan

Chia-Chien Wu, Jing-Fu Tsai, Hou-Feng Li

Published on: 04 January 2024

Page: 24 - 36

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.24

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    Abstract

    Neotermes koshunensis (Shiraki, 1909) (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae) has been recorded in Taiwan, China, and Ryukyu Islands (Japan). However, Yashiro et al. clarified all Neotermes samples from Ryukyu Islands was a cryptic species in the Neotermes koshunensis species complex and hence further described it as a new species, N. sugioi Yashiro, 2019. To revise the identity and taxonomy of Neotermes spp. in Taiwan, this study examines 370 specimens which were collected from Taiwan Island and its offshore islands from 2006 to 2022. According to phylogenetic results reconstructed by using nucleotide sequences of two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA and COI) and one nuclear gene (ITS2), three lineages were recognized. The three lineages represent N. koshunensis, N. sugioi as a new record species to Taiwan, and a new species Neotermes ludaoensis sp. nov. The winged imago and soldier castes of the three Neotermes species are described. A male winged imago of N. koshunensis collected from its type locality is designated as neotype.

    Keyword: Kalotermitidae, Neotermes koshunensis, Neotermes sugioi, Neotermes ludaoensis, new record, new species

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