Rhinotermitidae
- Pronunciation
- /ry-no-ter-MY-tih-dee/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Rhinotermitidae
Definition
A of Neoisopteran in the order , historically encompassing subterranean termites but now restricted to within the Rhinotermitinae. Diagnostic features include soldiers bearing a labral brush—a highly modified labral projection that channels fontanellar fluid onto a hairy tip for chemical defense. The family has broad geographic distribution across the Neotropical, Indomalayan, Afrotropical, Australasian, and Palearctic realms.
Etymology
From Greek rhino- (nose, snout) + termes (woodworm, ) + -idae ( suffix), referring to the nasal or facial features associated with the fontanelle and labral structures.
Example
, the , is a destructive in the Rhinotermitidae that uses its labral brush to smear defensive secretions onto attackers.
Related Terms
Usage Notes
The circumscription of Rhinotermitidae has narrowed significantly in recent phylogenetic revisions; many former 'subterranean ' have been reassigned to other . The labral brush is a key diagnostic character distinguishing Rhinotermitidae soldiers from those of and other termite families. Formerly treated as a family within , now placed in following termite- phylogenetic consensus.