ItalianTermiteMan
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2023
- Messages
- 146
Here we have a nice gallery of several species of Cryptotermes, a widespread genus of wood-dwelling termites notable for their soldiers' specialization in phragmotic defence, that is the technique of blocking access to narrow passages from enemies using a part of your own body (in this case the head). All pics are by Dr. Rudolf Scheffrahn (shared with permission) and show alcohol-preserved specimens form the massive University of Florida Termite Collection (UFTC).
Cryptotermes bracketti. This is a morphologically rather typical species for the genus, with a strongly phragmotic head capsule and relatively reduced (tough still fully functional) mandibles.
Cryptotermes chagresi. In this species the phragmotic adaptation is noticeably less developed than in your average Cryptotermes and the mandibles are very large.
Cryptotermes cryptognathus. From an extreme to the other: this species is strongly phragmotic and sports truly minuscule mandibles, so small that they probably lost all offensive functions, making these soldier rely fully on simply physically blocking an indruder's way with their heads.
Cryptotermes cubicoceps. This species sports two tiny horn-like protuberances at the side of the mandibles.
Cryptotermes camelus. This one sport a massive hump on the front of its head, which no doubt contributed to its naming (Camelus is the genus of camels and dromedaries).
Cryptotermes sphatifrons. An interesting species with a deep recess on the front of the head.
Cryptotermes longiceps. This one's clean lines makes it rather esthetically pleasing to me (i know, a very scientific description).
Cryptotermes tropicalis. This species combines a pronunced phragmosis and very large mandibles (by Cryptotermes' standards at least).
Cryptotermes abruptus... this "pig-nosed" species is just plain bizarre!
Cryptotermes bracketti. This is a morphologically rather typical species for the genus, with a strongly phragmotic head capsule and relatively reduced (tough still fully functional) mandibles.
Cryptotermes chagresi. In this species the phragmotic adaptation is noticeably less developed than in your average Cryptotermes and the mandibles are very large.
Cryptotermes cryptognathus. From an extreme to the other: this species is strongly phragmotic and sports truly minuscule mandibles, so small that they probably lost all offensive functions, making these soldier rely fully on simply physically blocking an indruder's way with their heads.
Cryptotermes cubicoceps. This species sports two tiny horn-like protuberances at the side of the mandibles.
Cryptotermes camelus. This one sport a massive hump on the front of its head, which no doubt contributed to its naming (Camelus is the genus of camels and dromedaries).
Cryptotermes sphatifrons. An interesting species with a deep recess on the front of the head.
Cryptotermes longiceps. This one's clean lines makes it rather esthetically pleasing to me (i know, a very scientific description).
Cryptotermes tropicalis. This species combines a pronunced phragmosis and very large mandibles (by Cryptotermes' standards at least).
Cryptotermes abruptus... this "pig-nosed" species is just plain bizarre!
nosed made my day these are some impressive termites !!!