Species delimitation in Macrotermes (Isoptera: Macrotermitidae): evidence from epicuticular hydrocarbons, morphology, and ecology

In Kajiado District, Kenya, Macrotermes spp. build open and closed mounds. The taxonomic status of termites inhabiting these two mound types has not been completely resolved. Currently, the open mound type is attributed to M. subhyalinus (Rambur), and the closed mounds to M. michaelseni (Sjoestedt). Morphologically, the individuals of the two mound types are very similar, although canonical variate analysis of measurements of minor soldiers indicate a separation. Within our study, minor soldiers from open mounds were smaller than those from closed mounds, but this may be not a general pattern. However, profiles of epicuticular hydrocarbons from workers discriminate clearly between the mound types. Nevertheless, we found an as yet unexplained high variability within the samples of closed mounds. Both mound types show a distinct biogeographical density pattern.