Morphometric Analysis of Coptotermes spp. Soldier Caste (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Indonesia and Evidence of Coptotermes gestroi Extreme Head-Capsule Shapes

Abstract

Linear and geometric morphometrics approaches were conducted to analyze the head capsule (HC) shape of collected soldier caste specimens of Coptotermes from various locations in Indonesia. The soldiers’ morphology was observed and measured. The results of the principal component analysis of the group of all species showed two important groups of variables, i.e., the body size and setae characteristics of the pronotum and head. The multicollinearity of the morphometric variables showed the importance of body measurements as well as important alternative characteristics such as the pronotum setae (PrS) and HC setae. Four trends of HC shape were observed across the species. Interestingly, three extreme shapes were depicted by geometric morphometrics of the C. gestroi HC. The phylogenetic tree inferred from 12S and 16S mitochondrial gene fragments showed high confidence for C. gestroi populations. The lateral expansion of the posterior part of the HC across the species was in accordance with the increasing of the number of hairlike setae on the pronotum and HC. These differences among species might be associated with mandible-force-related defensive labor and sensitivity to environmental stressors.

Geometric morphometrics versus DNA barcoding for the identification of malaria vectors Anopheles dirus and An. baimaii in the Thai-Cambodia border

“…The highlights of the GM technique are that it is inexpensive, rapid, and does not require sophisticated equipment 31 . This technique has been used to distinguish members of groups of insects that are difficult to identify morphologically, such as horse flies (Tabanidae) 32 , stable flies (Muscidae) 33 , muscid flies (Muscidae) 34 , soldier castes (Rhinotermitidae) 35 , and mosquitoes (Culicidae) 30 , 36 , 37 . Recently, GM techniques were successful in identifying species members within malaria vector groups in Thailand, including the Maculatus group 38 and the Minimus complex 39 .…”

The diversity and distribution of residential termites in the Minahasa Raya Region, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

“…Photographic and Microscopic Observations: Collected termites were photographed and scrutinized under the microscope. For comprehensive observation, a 10 times magnification was used for the entire insect body, while a 40 times magnification was employed to inspect the head region, encompassing the antennae and mandibles (Wikantyoso et al 2021). Specific measurements focused on the soldier caste's head, adhering to the standards set by (Takematsu and Vongkaluang 2012).…”

Non-destructive detection of tree deterioration due to termite attack in plant conservation areas

“…The termite genera of Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes, and Coptotermes frequently attack trees [8,9]. The Coptotermes group's reputation as a significant termite pest in Indonesia was well-known [10].…”