
▲ 3 r/biology
New Cryptotermes species from French Guiana described in ZooKeys: C. mobydicki, named for its sperm whale-like head morphology
Scheffrahn et al. describe a drywood termite whose soldier caste has an unusually narrow, elongated head capsule with mandibles fully concealed by the frontal process. In lateral view the resemblance to Physeter macrocephalus is striking, including antenna socket placement mirroring eye position. Genetic analysis places it near Cryptotermes species from Colombia, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic. Sixteenth known Cryptotermes in South America.
u/DontHugMeImReddit — 1 day ago
