Species groups in the genus Cubitermes (Isoptera: Termitidae) defined on the basis of enteric valve morphology Author Josens, Guy Author Deligne, Jean text European Journal of Taxonomy 2019 2019-04-11 515 1 72 journal article 27314 10.5852/ejt.2019.515 4d4cc07e-3729-4179-90e1-cf469370776a 2118-9773 2638175 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F7AB8B53-FEB1-4473-8B22-DFEC9CE98FDD 8. The oblectatus valve pattern group The worker within this group has an enteric valve with three primary cushions, PC3, PC4 and PC5, ending downstream in three yellow-to-brown sclerotised spatulae that stick out of the valve ( Fig. 11H , H’). The spatula of PC4 ends symmetrically with two right angles, whereas the spatulae of PC3 and PC5 end in acute angles pointing towards the spatula of PC4; PC3 and PC5 bear crests that are higher than they are wide; PC4 bears a less high crest. The other primary cushions (PC1–PC2 & PC6) are roughly rectangular to fusiform. The enteric valve shows bilateral symmetry due to the three spatulae and to PC1, which is generally longer than PC2 and PC6 ( Fig. 19A ). PC1 is made of (a) an upstream spiny part (25–31% of total length) with relatively strong spines, (b) a middle spiny part (37–39% of total length) with somewhat weaker spines and with 18–23 lateral supporting bristles on each side, and (c) a bristly part (32–36% of total length) with very numerous (estimated at 140–160) curved and apparently soft bristles ( Fig. 19A ). PC4 is made of (a) an upstream spiny part (20–22% of total length) with relatively strong spines, (b) a middle spiny part (37–41% of total length) with somewhat weaker spines and with 17–20 lateral supporting bristles on each side, (c) a bristly part (21–24% of total length) with 120–150 curved and apparently soft bristles on a low crest, and (d) a symmetric sclerotised spatula (15–21% of total length) bearing some short spines and 15–20 very short tooth-like spines on each side (Fig. 1 1H). The secondary cushions are generally two to three times wider than the primary cushions and are more or less outlined; their largest widths are located in the upstream fourth or third and they narrow noticeably downstream with a homogeneous spine (upstream) and bristle (downstream) scattering ( Fig. 19A ). In the soldier’s enteric valve, the three spatulae on PC3, PC4 and PC5 are present but weakly developed, with blunt downstream ends ( Fig. 19B ). The secondary cushions are wider than the PCs (their largest widths located in the upstream fourth or third) and they narrow noticeably downstream. This valve pattern is therefore characterised by three spatulae in the workers’ and soldiers’ valves; the unique species is large. Fig. 19. A . Enteric valve of the “ oblectatus valve pattern”, from a worker of Cubitermes oblectatus Harris, 1958 ; B . idem from a soldier of C. oblectatus ; C . Idem from an imago of C. sp., spatulae on PC3, PC4 and PC5 are sketched (arrows); A, B and C at the same scale; D . Geographical distribution of species with the oblectatus valve pattern. Material examined One species has such enteric valves: