5 replies to this topic

[ItalianTermiteMan2.0]

Termite's Corner time!

 

Here we have a bizarre one: Noditermes cristifrons!

This African termite hails from the Cubitermitinae subfamily and is a soil-feeder that generally builds either tree-leaning or free-standing epigeal mounds, though in some parts of its range it's apparently only found in the mounds of other genera (mainly the related Procubitermes). Its soldiers are quite peculiar and sports huge slashing-type mandibles, weirdly-shaped postmentums and a wide protuberance on the front of their heads (as far as i know, "cristifrons" should roughly mean crest-forehead in latin); though i have no info on this precise genus this protuberance is most likely used to house part of the defensive frontal gland and maybe to increase phragmotic efficency aswell. As it's sadly quite common in termites, not much is known about these.

 

 

 

 

Alcohol-preserved Noditermes cristifrons soldier; pic by Dr. Rudolf Scheffrhan. Now this is a funny looking termite!

 

 

 

 

 

[ANTdrew]

It would not be fun to be on the business end of those mandibles!

[Flu1d]

Do those shoot inwards like trapjaw ant mandibles, but instead of grabbing they slice?

[ItalianTermiteMan2.0]

Do those shoot inwards like trapjaw ant mandibles, but instead of grabbing they slice?

 

No, these don't snap (accumulate energy to strike), their mandibles open and close "normally".

[Flu1d]

Do those shoot inwards like trapjaw ant mandibles, but instead of grabbing they slice?

No, these don't snap (accumulate energy to strike), their mandibles open and close "normally".

Cool, so regular open/close but instead of grab it slices? that's gangster

[ItalianTermiteMan2.0]

 

 

Do those shoot inwards like trapjaw ant mandibles, but instead of grabbing they slice?

No, these don't snap (accumulate energy to strike), their mandibles open and close "normally".

Cool, so regular open/close but instead of grab it slices? that's gangster

 

 

Yes, many termite soldiers employ mandibles exclusively shaped to cut and slash, as the manual labor (building, carrying, grooming and feeding others and so on) that would require a more "multi-tasking" set of mandibles is relegated to the worker caste.