Taxonomic review of termite genus Longustitermes Bourguignon & Roisin 2010 (Insecta, Blatarria, Apicotermitinae)

• Grant number: 24/14744-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Fernandes Carrijo
• Grantee: Giordano Goulart Messina
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The subfamily Apicotermitinae (Termitidae) is the least studied group within Termitidae. This is mainly because most species in this group lack a soldier caste, and the majority of the diagnostic characteristics of other termite groups are found in this caste. A large part of the diagnostic features of Apicotermitinae species are concentrated in the digestive tube and mandibles, so a dissection process is necessary to identify species from this group. This scientific initiation project aims to review the Apicotermitinae genus Longustitermes. This genus was described by Bourguignon & Roisin in 2010 and includes a single species, L. manni. Taxonomic studies suggest the presence of a cryptic species and at least one new species, found at my previous scientific initiation project (FAPESP: 2023/02873-3). To address these gaps, this research shall study: external morphology of workers and alates, internal morphology of workers, as well as ecology, based on field notes from collections, last but not least there is molecular information from samples in unpublished phylogenies. A formal description will be made and images are going to illustrate structures such as the enteric valve, mandibles, and the entire external morphology of individuals of the genus. To understand the distribution of the genus, a distribution map will be created with the aid of data from other laboratories, aiming to strengthen the information about the group. Considering evidence suggesting that there are taxa to be described and the crypticity of L. manni, a revision of the genus is necessary and will be published. (AU)