Abstract
The morphology of the digestive tube of the five species of Procornitermes Emerson
(Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae) is compared, together with illustrations of the digestive
tube in situ and some parts after dissection, including the insertion of the Malpighian
tubules and the enteric valve armature. Analysis of these characters revealed
three distinct patterns among the species of Procornitermes: the first, termed the “striatus
pattern,” is shared by P. striatus, P. lespesii and P. romani; the second refers only to
P. araujoi; and the third is represented by P. triacifer. A comparison with all other genera
of Syntermitinae is provided, which forms the basis to maintain the status of Procornitermes
at this time, despite the clear heterogeneity of the digestive tubes among
the species.