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Issue: Vol. 8 No. 3: June 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-06-30
DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.8.3.9
Page range: 329–337
Abstract views: 61
PDF downloaded: 6

A new arceotermitid species from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (Isoptera: Teletisoptera)

Oxford University Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PW, UK
Jabatan Geologi, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA
Termites soldiers diversity taxonomy mandibles Isoptera Teletisoptera

Abstract

The mid-Cretaceous termite genus Arceotermes Engel & Jiang (Arceotermitidae) has hitherto been known from a single species in Kachin amber (Myanmar). Here we report a second species, which is described and figured as Arceotermes bellator sp. nov., permitting an emendation of the generic diagnosis. The new species is distinguished from the type species by mandibular dentition and number of antennomeres. We discuss its systematic placement in detail, and propose of brief summary of the defensive strategy used by termite soldiers during the mid-Cretaceous.

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