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The Termite's Corner: Jugositermes tuberculatus (aka the frowny termite)

termitidae apicotermitinae termites termite

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#1 Offline ItalianTermiteMan2.0 - Posted January 6 2023 - 3:04 PM

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It's time for a new Termite's Corner, starring the one of my personal favorites: Jugositermes tuberculatus!

 

This is an impressive Apicotermitinae found within the Guinea-Congolese forest block of central Africa and quite common in southern Cameroon. They are soil-feeders, and can be found both nesting on their own (usually at the feet of large trees) or living inside Odontotermes structures. Soldiers are powerfully built and come equipped with relatively short but very stout mandibles likely used in a crushing fashion, however their most defining feature is a pair of large armored ridges just above the antennas which both protect the antennal sockets and further reinforce the head capsule.... beside giving them a very pissed-off look! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves  :D

 

 

278855708_1572965899769863_7945200491588120383_n.jpg

 

A frontal shot of a soldier, showing well the armored ridges and the frowny visage!

Pic by Dr. Jan Sobotnik.

 

 

278896388_1572965793103207_1191233565046154027_n.jpg

 

Here we can see all castes of this termites: the primary royals (here a slim king and a large physogastric queen), the soil-filled workers and the robust soldiers. There is also a single, pale larva.

Pic by Dr. Jan Sobotnik.

 

 

278802179_1572965956436524_9123868310539534985_n.jpg

 

Worker, queen and soldier of Jugositermes tuberculatus.

Pic by Dr. Jan Sobotnik.

 

 

Well, to the next termite then!

 

 


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#2 Offline Flu1d - Posted January 6 2023 - 3:51 PM

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It's time for a new Termite's Corner, starring the one of my personal favorites: Jugositermes tuberculatus!

This is an impressive Apicotermitinae found within the Guinea-Congolese forest block of central Africa and quite common in southern Cameroon. They are soil-feeders, and can be found both nesting on their own (usually at the feet of large trees) or living inside Odontotermes structures. Soldiers are powerfully built and come equipped with relatively short but very stout mandibles likely used in a crushing fashion, however their most defining feature is a pair of large armored ridges just above the antennas which both protect the antennal sockets and further reinforce the head capsule.... beside giving them a very pissed-off look! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves :D


278855708_1572965899769863_7945200491588120383_n.jpg

A frontal shot of a soldier, showing well the armored ridges and the frowny visage!
Pic by Dr. Jan Sobotnik.


278896388_1572965793103207_1191233565046154027_n.jpg

Here we can see all castes of this termites: the primary royals (here a slim king and a large physogastric queen), the soil-filled workers and the robust soldiers. There is also a single, pale larva.
Pic by Dr. Jan Sobotnik.


278802179_1572965956436524_9123868310539534985_n.jpg

Worker, queen and soldier of Jugositermes tuberculatus.
Pic by Dr. Jan Sobotnik.


Well, to the next termite then!


I truly love your contributions!
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#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted January 6 2023 - 4:46 PM

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Truly amazing! Thanks!
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline Ant-nig321 - Posted January 6 2023 - 10:56 PM

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Always amazed by your findings.
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#5 Offline ItalianTermiteMan2.0 - Posted January 7 2023 - 2:30 AM

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Always amazed by your findings.

 

Thanks, though the credit of both the pics and lots of what little we know about many termite species goes to Dr. Jan Sobotnik and its research team!



#6 Offline Ant-nig321 - Posted January 7 2023 - 5:17 AM

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Always amazed by your findings.


Thanks, though the credit of both the pics and lots of what little we know about many termite species goes to Dr. Jan Sobotnik and its research team!
Salutations to them.Also,do you think/know if Odontotermes species eat wood or only fungus?

#7 Offline ItalianTermiteMan2.0 - Posted January 7 2023 - 7:47 AM

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While many Odontotermes collect wood, they always use it to mantain and expand their fungus gardens and cannot feed on it directly. 



#8 Offline Ant-nig321 - Posted January 7 2023 - 9:50 AM

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Ok!





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: termitidae, apicotermitinae, termites, termite

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