a taxonomic review of the indian endemic genus labiocapritermes krishna, 1968 (blattodea: isoptera: termitidae) with description of two new species from kerala, india

Labiocapritermes krishna, 1968 (blattodea: isoptera: termitidae), endemic to the southern states of india, has been a monotypic genus. the genus is reviewed and two new species, labiocapritermes microcephalus amina & rajmohana sp. nov., and labiocapritermes wayanadensis amina & rajmohana sp. nov. from kerala, india are described. a dichotomous key to all three species is provided, along with their distribution map. distribution data suggest a high elevation affinity to the genus. the genus is documented both in natural and managed habitats. typically, group iii and iv soil-feeding termites are underrepresented in agricultural plots, with higher abundance in less disturbed habitats. in contrast, the present study records l. wayanadensis from a rubber plantation and l. distortus from a tea plantation, suggesting a degree of tolerance to habitat disturbance. this study provides the first documentation of labiocapritermes occurrence in a managed habitat.