Os térmitas Syntermitinae (Isoptera: Termitidae) do estado da Paraíba, Brasil

Abstract

Syntermitinae is a Termitidae (Isoptera) subfamily that comprises 21 termite genera endemic of the Neotropical Region. The subfamily is characterized by the presence of soldiers of different genera with distinct mandibules shapes and a long or small frontal tube, always with the presence of a large apical pore. The nesting and feeding behaviors are very diverse among the Syntermitinae species. Due to the variation on the soldiers mandibules’s morphology, the subfamily has gone through some taxonomic revision over time. This subfamily represents an important termitofauna component of the Paraíba state, Brazil. Up to this time, there is no exclusive study about the Syntermitinae subfamily in the state. Therefore, this study verified the Syntermitinae genera and species occurring in Paraíba. Thus, using the data placed on the Coleção de Isoptera da Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB, we developed dichotomous keys for species identification, a photographic register in high definition and presented geographic distribution and species concentration maps in the Paraíba state. For that, 452 samples (inserted in the Coleção between the years of 1993 – 2017) were analyzed, which represents the total amount of samples corresponding to Syntermitinae. Twelve species belonging to seven genera were verified occurring in the state. Three dichotomous keys were presented for Syntermitinae genera and species identification. The species amount is associated with 12 different locations in Paraíba state. Those are located in Floresta Atlântica (Atlantic Forest), Brejo de Altitude and Caatinga areas. João Pessoa, which is inside Floresta Atlântica domain, was the location that exhibited the highest species richness (five). Areia was the location that exhibited the highest species concentration in Brejo de Altitude, whereas São José da Lagoa Tapada registered the highest species concentration in the Caatinga domain. Silvestritermes heyeri was found in seven of the 12 analyzed locations, which represents a distinct large distribution. Notably, Silvestritermes heyeri, Vaninitermes ignotus and Embiratermes neotenicus concentrate the highest number of samples among Syntermitinae species in the Coleção de Isoptera da UFPB. In conclusion, studies with a wide and integrative perspective in the sense of gathering information about abundance, variability and genetic mapping of the subfamily species in Paraíba state are required.