Updating the Systematic Status of Genus <i>Heterotermes</i> (Rhinotermitidae: Isoptera: Blattodea) by Combining Morphometric Analysis, Distribution Mapping, and <scp>DNA</scp> Barcoding Approaches

Termites are eusocial insects, found widely in the tropics of the world. They are known as serious pests to agriculture, forestry, and structures, but they also act as key ecological engineers in the wild. We assessed termites diversity in three districts (Buner, Swabi and Haripur), which belong to various agro-ecological regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan; Oriental region). Sampling was done either by breaking visible mud galleries or by using modified NIFA termaps. Fourteen characters/indices were assessed for species morphometrics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and DNA was extracted from the identified soldier caste in each sample for MtDNA COII barcoding. An identification key and distribution map were made for <i>Heterotermes gretudae</i> (MZ018116.1) and <i>Heterotermes indicola</i> (MZ055400.1). <i>H. gretudae</i> is a true species endemic to India but is recorded in Pakistan for the first time (Buner and Swabi districts) on new feeding host substrates, while <i>H. indicola</i> has a new locality record. PCA analysis (74.9% variation) and MtDNA COII barcoding (Maximum Likelihood analyses) were used to validate the species. Novel COII sequences were submitted to the GenBank.