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Abstract：
With recent evidence of hybridization events in the field, the phenotypic traits of F1 hybrid colonies of 2 destructive subterranean termite species, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) remain to be investigated. In this study, laboratory colonies of 2 conspecific pairings and 2 heterospecific pairings (hybrid F = ♀C. formosanus × ♂C. gestroi, hybrid G = ♀C. gestroi × ♂C. formosanus) were examined in Florida, USA, and in Taiwan. Colony nest architecture for both hybrids displayed disorganized carton materials compared to the defined trabecular carton of both parental species. Soldier head measurements were not a reliable approach for diagnostic purposes, as soldier morphometric traits widely overlapped across all mating combinations, except for hybrid F soldiers displaying abnormally long mandibles. Hybrid F soldiers\' mandibles also remained parallel when at rest. However, 4 qualitative morphological differences in soldiers were determined for diagnostic purposes. First, the fontanelle in both hybrids is horizontally ellipsoid whereas subcircular in C. gestroi and trianguliform in C. formosanus. Second, sclerotized striations along the postmental sulcus are present in C. gestroi, absent in C. formosanus, and intermediate in both hybrid soldier types. Third, each lateral margin of the fontanelle is flanked by 2 setae in C. formosanus and both hybrids, while a single seta resides on each side of the fontanelle in C. gestroi. Finally, C. gestroi and hybrid soldiers\' heads are characterized by a bulging vertex that is lacking in C. formosanus. Therefore, a combination of these 4 characteristics now allows for soldier identification of hybrid Coptotermes.
摘要：
根据该领域杂交事件的最新证据，2种破坏性地下白蚁物种的F1杂种菌落的表型性状，尚待调查。在这项研究中,2个同源配对和2个异源配对的实验室菌落(杂种F=‰C.Formosanus׉C.gestroi,杂种G=‰C.gestroi׉C.Formosanus）在佛罗里达州进行了检查，美国,在台湾。与两个亲本物种的定义的小梁纸箱相比，两个杂种的殖民地巢结构显示出杂乱无章的纸箱材料。士兵头部测量不是诊断目的的可靠方法，由于士兵的形态特征在所有交配组合中广泛重叠，除了混合F士兵显示异常长的下颌骨。混合F士兵的下颌骨在休息时也保持平行。然而,为了诊断目的，确定了士兵的4种定性形态差异。首先,两种杂种中的fontanelle均为水平椭圆形，而在C.gestroi中为亚圆形，在C.formosanus中为三根形。第二,沿着后沟的硬化条纹存在于C.gestroi，在C.Formosanus中缺席，在两种混合士兵类型中都是中间的。第三，fontanelle的每个侧缘都有2个刚毛C.formosanus和两个杂种，而在C.gestroi的fontanelle的每一侧都有一个seta。最后,C.gestroi和混合士兵的头部的特征是C.formosanus缺少的凸出顶点。因此,这4个特征的组合现在允许士兵识别混合Coptotermes。
