Polymorphism in the neotropical termite Serritermes serrifer

Abstract

Serritermitidae (Isoptera) is a small and little known Neotropical termite family which includes only two genera: Glossotermes and Serritermes. Despite the lack of detailed studies, it has been assumed that these termites have a true worker caste. A recent study revealed that Glossotermes has a linear development pathway and lacks true workers. Here, we present a study of the polymorphism of Serritermes serrifer Hagen & Bates, a species endemic to the Cerrado ecoregion of central Brazil which lives as an inquiline inside nests of Cornitermes spp. A morphometric analysis was performed based on measurements taken of 11 body parts of 544 specimens of immatures, worker‐like individuals, soldiers, and alates. Sex of specimens was determined by dissection and examination of the seventh sternite. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate morphological changes during development. Contrary with previous information from the literature and similar to Glossotermes, Serritermes shows a linear development pathway with two larval instars, two sizes of pseudergates, and a single nymphal morph. Pseudergates apparently undergo stationary molts. Sex ratio among pseudergates is male‐biased, but not as strongly as in Glossotermes. Typical colonies have a single physogastric primary queen and a single primary king. Ergatoid reproductives are relatively rare and some female ergatoids may become strongly physogastric. Nymphoid reproductives were not found. All soldiers are male and bear well‐developed testes.

Modularity is the mother of invention: a review of polymorphism in bryozoans

“…This allows eusocial insects to produce non‐feeding forms: for example, in termites the queen may be unable to move through the subterranean colony and workers must provide food (e.g. Serritermes serrifer ; Barbosa & Constantino, ). Despite high compartmentalization, eusocial insects exhibit only a moderate level of polymorphism (polymorphic workers found in only ∼15% of ant genera and one bee species; Wheeler, ; Grüter et al, ).…”

Exclusive Gut Flagellates of Serritermitidae Suggest a Major Transfaunation Event in Lower Termites: Description of Heliconympha glossotermitis gen. nov. spec. nov.

“…The two species in the genus Glossotermes (Cancello and DeSouza ) are specialized on red‐rot wood stumps and, although locally common, only rarely collected. Both genera are truly remarkable in their unusual ontogenetic pattern, which combines linear development with all‐male sterile colony members (Barbosa and Constantino ; Bourguignon et al. ), and in their defense strategies of self‐sacrifice of soldiers by blind‐end frontal gland rupture (Costa‐Leonardo and Kitayama ; Šobotník et al.…”

Hypopharynx in termites: Morphological and functional aspects

“…According to the same author, S. serrifer feeds on vegetal material stored in the host nest walls. Although this species does not live inside wood, its life cycle and some ecological characteristics are similar to those observed in the other OP termites, as S. serrifer never forages outside the host nest and lacks a true worker caste (Barbosa and Constantino, 2017).…”