A new termite: Gastrotermes spinatus

Termites are insects that live in colonies and divide labor among castes, produce overlapping generations, and take care of their young collectively. Although this way of live is very similar to some species of hymenoptera, termites are at best distant cousins, closer related to roaches. There are more than 3,100 living termite species worldwide.

The species name is derived from the latin word spinatus which means spine. This refers to some spines on the body of the termite.

For the experts: Gastrotermes spinatus gen. n. sp. n is described from workers of a single foraging group collected in Cameroon. This soil-feeding termite aligns with the Labidotermes subgroup (Apicotermes group) because of its non-protruding and symmetrical enteric valve armature, its short P1, and its globular P3a. An asymmetrical field of robust sclerotized spines at the opening of the P3a is unique among the other Labidotermes subgroup genera.