Distribution and Biogeography of the North American Termite Genus Zootermopsis (Isoptera: Termopsidae)

Abstract

The modern distribution of species of the North American termite genus Zootermopsis Emerson is described based on reexamination of museum specimens and extensive new field collections. A recently discovered diagnostic morphological character (shape and position of the right mandibular subsidiary tooth in nonsoldier castes) and the enhanced resolution facilitated by hydrocarbon analysis were used to revise distribution maps for each species. The historical biogeography of species of Zootermopsis and their host trees is discussed, with emphasis on the state of California where paleoclimatic and paleobotanic patterns are best known. Evidence demonstrating two substantially allopatric distributions of hydrocarbon phenotypes within the Z. nevadensis complex, in combination with studies of interphenotype agonistic behavior and genetic variation, suggests reproductive isolation between the two Z. nevadensis hydrocarbon variants.