Amitermes wheeleri

(Desneux, 1906)

Wheeler's desert termite

Amitermes wheeleri is a of desert-dwelling in the Termitidae, originally described as Termes wheeleri by Desneux in 1906. The species belongs to the Amitermes, a group of termites known for inhabiting arid and semi-arid environments. Specimens have been collected from tropical regions including Guyana, where individuals have been documented with ectoparasitic fungal . The genus Amitermes is notable for being a to specialized fungal in the genus Termitaria.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Amitermes wheeleri: /ˌæmɪˈtɜːrmiz ˈʍiːləri/

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Habitat

Arid and semi-arid environments; tropical forested regions. Collected from mounds in flood-zone regions along rivers.

Distribution

Documented from Guyana, South America; distribution in arid regions of North America likely given characteristics. Specific range details require further verification.

Diet

Cellulose-based diet typical of ; specific dietary preferences for this not documented.

Host Associations

Termitaria hexasporodochia - Ectoparasitic fungus forming symmetrical paired on abdominal segments. Tentatively described as new based on specimens from A. wheeleri in Guyana.

Behavior

Colony-dwelling; individuals observed in mounds. Seven of approximately 200 individuals from one collected colony exhibited fungal , suggesting variable within colonies.

Ecological Role

Decomposer in tropical and arid ; for specialized ectoparasitic fungi. Documented as host for Termitaria fungi that produce distinctive spore-bearing structures.

Human Relevance

Subject of research on -fungal associations; specimens in collections at American Museum of Natural History and Rutgers University have contributed to understanding of ectoparasitic fungi on termites.

Similar Taxa

Amitermes spp.Other in share arid preferences and may serve as for similar fungal ; specific differentiation from A. wheeleri requires detailed morphological examination.
MacrotermesAnother documented with Laboulbenia fungal ; differs in mound architecture and geographic distribution.

More Details

Fungal associations

A. wheeleri was the for a newly documented Termitaria fungus with unique symmetrical . This discovery prompted a comprehensive review of ectoparasitic fungi associated with , published in Annals of the Entomological Society of America (Wilson et al., 2021).

Taxonomic history

Originally described in the Termes, later transferred to Amitermes. The basionym Termes wheeleri reflects early 20th century classification.