Comparative morphology of the digestive tube in species of Procornitermes Emerson (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae)

摘要

The morphology of the digestive tube of the five species of Procornitermes Emerson (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae) is compared, together with illustrations of the digestive tube in situ and some parts after dissection, including the insertion of the Malpighian tubules and the enteric valve armature. Analysis of these characters revealed three distinct patterns among the species of Procornitermes: the first, termed the striatus pattern, is shared by P. striatus, P. lespesii and P. romani; the second refers only to P. araujoi; and the third is represented by P. triacifer. A comparison with all other genera of Syntermitinae is provided, which forms the basis to maintain the status of Procornitermes at this time, despite the clear heterogeneity of the digestive tubes among the species. ((c) 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)