[Entomology • 2026] Pseudocapritermes novus • A New Species of Soil-dwelling Termites (Blattodea: Termitidae: Mirocapritermitinae) from the Indian Subcontinent

Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana, 

in Sengupta, Baraik, Rajmohana, Debnath, Dinesh et Chinu, 2026. 

https://jibs.modares.ac.ir 

 Researchgate.net/publication/404799169

Abstract

The present study reports a new species, Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana sp. nov. from West Bengal, India. Species description followed an integrative taxonomic approach by including a mitochondrial 16S rRNA genetic sequence with comprehensive morphological characteristics of the soldier caste. Additionally, the first mt 16S rRNA gene sequence for the recently identified Pseudocapritermes kunjepu Mathew, 2020, is presented in the study. Digital photos of the new species are also included, along with an identification key to the soldier castes of all species of the genus reported from the Indian sub-continent. Association of Pericapritermes semarangi (Holmgren, 1913) with the new species is also recorded in the study.

 

Keywords: Inquiline, mitochondrial 16S rRNA, molecular phylogeny, Pericapritermes, Pseudocapritermes, taxonomy

Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana sp. nov., Soldier:
A. General habitus, lateral view; B. Postmentum; C. Mandibles; D. Head capsule, dorsal view; E. Head capsule, ventral view; F. Labrum marked with an arrow (the extended process of the anterolateral corner of the labrum is broken on the right side); G. Antennae.

Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana sp. nov. 

  

Rituparna Sengupta, Balmohan Baraik, Rajmohana K., Rupam Debnath, K. P. Dinesh and Ipe Chinu. 2026. Description of A New Species of Soil-dwelling Termites (Blattodea: Termitidae: Mirocapritermitinae) from the Indian subcontinent. The Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics. DOI: 10.48311/jibs.12.03.537 [13 May 2026] 

https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28644.html

 Researchgate.net/publication/404799169_a_new_species_of_Pseudocapritermes_from_the_Indian_subcontinent

[Entomology • 2025] Cryptotermes mobydicki • An extraordinary New termite Species (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) from French Guiana

 Cryptotermes mobydicki Scheffrahn,

in Scheffrahn, Buček, Sillam-Dussès et Šobotník, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1258.166021 

Abstract

Cryptotermes mobydicki sp. nov. is described from the soldier caste. The soldier is unique among all Cryptotermes species worldwide for its very narrow, elongate head capsule terminating with an extended frontal process. The new species constitutes the sixteenth Cryptotermes species for South America. Our phylogenetic reconstruction indicates that C. mobydicki sp. nov. is most closely related to the Neotropical and Central American C. mangoldi, C. parvifrons, C. cymatofrons, C. rotundiceps, and C. cavifrons.

Key words: Amazonia, frontal process, soldier

Holotype soldier of Cryptotermes mobydicki sp. nov. (FG1240), views of head and pronotum.
 A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; C. Oblique view; D. Ventral view. Arrows point to shallow incision of frontal process.

 Cryptotermes mobydicki Scheffrahn, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Among Cryptotermes soldiers worldwide, C. mobydicki is unique for the following characters: the head capsule is very long and narrow; the frontal flange and the frontal horns are absent; and, in dorsal view, the mandibles are greatly eclipsed by the extended frontal process (Fig. 1).

Etymology. Named after Moby Dick from Herman Melville’s classic novel. The lateral view of the soldier frontal process and elongate head (Fig. 1B) resembles the head of a sperm whale. Both organisms have mandibles eclipsed by the head, and the whale eye and soldier’s antennal socket are comparatively positioned.

 Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, Aleš Buček, David Sillam-Dussès and Jan Šobotník. 2025. Cryptotermes mobydicki (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae), An extraordinary New termite Species from French Guiana. ZooKeys. 1258: 305-311. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1258.166021 [06-11-2025]

[Arachnida • 2024] Vigdisia praesidens, gen. et sp. nov. • A perilous Malagasy triad: A Spider and An Ant compete for Termite Food

 

 Vigdisia praesidens Agnarsson, Kuntner, Yu & Gregorič, 

in Gregorič, Yu, Ravelojaona, Agnarsson et Kuntner, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2024.2373185 

 Researchgate.net/publication/382253438

ABSTRACT

Ants and termites are insect groups that make up most of the insect biomass in tropical ecosystems. Due to their social structure and abundance, they are some of the most bountiful prey available to other invertebrates such as spiders. However, ants and termites possess dangerous defense strategies, thus limiting their accessibility to general predators. Here, we report on an unexpected finding of a three-way predator-prey-kleptoparasite interaction in Madagascar among a termite Nasutitermes sp. (prey), a previously unknown theridiid spider Vigdisia praesidens gen. nov., sp. nov. (predator), and an ant Pheidole spinosa (kleptoparasite). Our field observations suggest that the spiders are able to detect a damaged termite nest from a distance to disperse onto it and prey on its residents. Kleptoparasitic ants also arrive on the scene to steal from the spiders their termite prey. Both the spider and the ant seem to possess some degree of behavioural prey specialisation for Nasutitermes termites. The here described ecological interaction warrants further study to better understand the exploitation of signals by such phylogenetically diverse arthropods.

KEYWORDS: Heterospecific competition, opportunistic predation, prey specialisation, kleptoparasitism, alarm signals, stenophagy, spider web

 Vigdisia praesidens with two termites wrapped. 
Camp Mantella, Marojejy National Park, Madagascar, 30. March 2022. 

Family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833. 

Subfamily Spintharinae Simon, 1894.

Vigdisia Agnarsson, Kuntner, Yu & Gregorič, new genus

Vigdisia praesidens Agnarsson, Kuntner, Yu & Gregorič, new species

Etymology: The genus name, feminine in gender, honors Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former president of Iceland (1980-1996) and the first democratically elected female pre-sident in the world. Vigdís shares the spider ́s elegance and wits.  

 

Matjaž Gregorič, Kuang Ping Yu, Jeremia Ravelojaona, Ingi Agnarsson and Matjaž Kuntner. 2024. A perilous Malagasy triad: A Spider (Vigdisia praesidens, gen. and sp. nov.) and An Ant compete for Termite Food. New Zealand Journal of Zoology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2024.2373185 [14 Jul 2024]

  Researchgate.net/publication/382253438_Vigdisia_praesidens_gen_et_sp_nov_and_an_ant_compete_for_termite_food

https://www.newspeciespodcast.net/all-episodes/a-new-malagasy-spider-with-matja-gregori

[Entomology • 2017] Disjunctitermes insularis • A New Soldierless Termite Genus and Species (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae) from Guadeloupe and Peru

Disjunctitermes insularis  

Scheffrahn, Carrijo, Postle & Tonini, 2017 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.665.11599

Abstract

Disjunctitermes insularis gen. n. & sp. n. is described from workers collected on Guadeloupe and in Peru and is the first soldierless termite found on a deep-water island. As with many soldierless and soil-feeding termite species, the enteric valve morphology is an essential diagnostic character of D. insularis. The D. insularis sequence cluster, derived from a barcode analysis with twelve other described genera of New World Apicotermitinae, is well resolved. Results of a stochastic dynamic spread model suggest that the occurrence of D. insularis on Guadeloupe may be the result of a pre-Colombian overwater dispersal event from mainland South America.

Keywords: Soil-feeder, taxonomy, barcode sequence, stochastic spread, overwater dispersal

Figure 1. Dorsal (A) and lateral (B) views of the Disjunctitermes insularis worker head capsule
C Dorsal views of newly molted worker mandibles of Anoplotermes banksi Emerson (top) and D. insularis (bottom)
D Ventral views of the molar portion of the left mandibles of newly molted workers of A. banksi (top) and D. insularis (bottom) E Right fore-tibia, and F right lateral view of D. insularis worker. 

Disjunctitermes Scheffrahn, gen. n.

Diagnosis: Disjunctitermes is one of the described Neotropical apicotermitines that, along with Anoplotermes banksi, A. pacificus, and Hydrecotermes spp., possess strongly inflated fore tibia and lack spiny sclerotized enteric valves. Disjunctitermes is closest to A. banksi, but can be distinguished from the latter by the subsidiary tooth on the left mandible, the larger EV seating and the more truncate terminus of P2 (Fig. 3C, D). Hydrecotermes lacks a spheroidal mesenteric tongue.

Etymology: The genus name is derived from its current, widely disjunct distribution on Guadeloupe and Peru.


Disjunctitermes insularis Scheffrahn, sp. n.

Diagnosis: See also comparison for Disjunctitermes above. The EV pads of D. insularis differ from those of the four other described species with unarmed EV as follows (Fig. 3): each pad of A. banksi is vase-shaped, with a narrow posterior end that widens into an oval base reminiscent of an orb-weaving spider web (Fig. 3C); the A. pacificus pads are shaped similarly to those of A. banksi but are less concentric and are adorned with a few unsclerotized spines (Fig. 3E); while the pads of H. arienesho and H. kawaii are ovoid in shape (Figs 3F and 3G, respectively).

Etymology: The species name is derived from its unexpected island locality.

Habitat and biology: Workers were collected in foraging groups under rocks and stones in rainforest habitats. Like many New World Apicotermitinae, D. insularis does not build any above-ground structures. Mature worker gut contents confirm that they feed on the organic fraction of soil.

 Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, Tiago F. Carrijo, Anthony C. Postle and Francesco Tonini. 2017. Disjunctitermes insularis, A New Soldierless Termite Genus and Species (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae) from Guadeloupe and Peru. ZooKeys. 665; 71-84. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.665.11599