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Diverse, primitive termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae, incertae sedis ) from the early Miocene of New Zealand
Author(s) -
Engel Michael S,
Kaulfuss Uwe
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
austral entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.502
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 2052-1758
pISSN - 2052-174X
DOI - 10.1111/aen.12216
Subject(s) - incertae sedis , lagerstätte , fauna , biology , ecology , taxon , maar , zoology , paleontology , volcano
The fauna of termites (Isoptera) preserved in the early Miocene Foulden Maar fossil lagerstätte, Otago, southern New Zealand, is described and figured. Six genera and species, inclusive of Stolotermes kupe Kaulfuss et al . (Stolotermitidae), are now known from Miocene New Zealand; most are attributable to the Kalotermitidae (drywood termites) and one, left as family incertae sedis , has kalotermitid‐like traits. The new taxa established are Waipiatatermes matatoka Engel & Kaulfuss gen. et sp. nov., Taieritermes krishnai Engel & Kaulfuss gen. et sp. nov., Otagotermes novazealandicus Engel & Kaulfuss gen. et sp. nov. and Pterotermopsis fouldenica Engel & Kaulfuss gen. et sp. nov. The affinities of the new taxa are discussed, highlighting the composition and uniqueness of the fauna, the absence of Neoisoptera and the possibility that these species were relicts of basal Kalotermitidae.