Termopsidae

Definition

An extinct family of termites in the order Blattodea. Historically, Termopsidae encompassed both extinct and extant genera, but taxonomic revision has reassigned all five living genera—formerly including the dampwood termites (Zootermopsis) and the giant northern termite (Mastotermes)—to distinct families, leaving only fossil taxa within Termopsidae sensu stricto.

Etymology

Example

Fossil termites from the Cretaceous and Eocene, such as those preserved in amber or compression deposits, are often classified in Termopsidae based on morphological similarities to the extinct common ancestor of modern dampwood and mastotermitid termites.

Related Terms

• Blattodea
• Isoptera
• Mastotermitidae
• Archotermopsidae
• Stolotermitidae
• Kalotermitidae
• Rhinotermitidae
• eusociality
• pseudergate
• caste differentiation

Usage Notes

The circumscription of Termopsidae has changed substantially; older literature may use the name to include extant dampwood termites now placed in Archotermopsidae and Stolotermitidae, or Mastotermes now in Mastotermitidae. Current usage restricts Termopsidae to extinct taxa. The family is part of the broader termite grade 'lower termites' (now paraphyletic), which retain the ancestral gut symbiont fauna lacking in higher termites (Termitidae).