Mixotricha paradoxa
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Names and sources
Classification
- kingdom
- ANIMALIA
- phylum
- ARTHROPODA
- subphylum
- HEXAPODA
- class
- INSECTA
- informal
- Pterygotes
- order
- BLATTODEA
- superfamily
- BLATTOIDEA
- informal
- Termitoidae
- family
- MASTOTERMITIDAE
- genus
- Mastotermes
- species
- Mastotermes darwiniensis
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Mastotermes darwiniensis
Species of termite
Mastotermes darwiniensis, common namesgiant northern termite and Darwin termite, is a termitespecies found only in northern Australia. It is the most primitive extant termite species.[1] Contrary to common belief, this species does not form mounds as the nests are subterranean and inconspicuous.[2] Colonies will readily occupy and infest decomposing wood but primarily live in a complex subterranean network of tunnels and galleries which they use to travel to new food sites. Colonies may eventually split and form isolated satellite colonies.[2]
Evolutionary significance
This species shows uncanny similarities to certain cockroaches, the termites' closest relatives. These similarities include the anal lobe of the wing and the laying of eggs in bunches, rather than singly. It is the only living member of its genusMastotermes and its familyMastotermitidae, though numerous fossiltaxa are known. The termites were traditionally placed in the Exopterygota, but such an indiscriminate treatment
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Australian Biological Resources Study
Distribution
States
Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information
N from Tropic of Capricorn, introduced to Papua New Guinea and Gebe Is., Indonesia.
Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.
IBRA
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- Northern Territory: N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
- Queensland: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
- Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal
Ecological Descriptors
Soil dweller, terrestrial.
Extra Ecological Information
Social, nests subterranean, in tree trunks or timber, diet woody materials including living shrubs and trees, damages many other materials, major economic importance.
General References
Gay, F.J. & Cala
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