Desert-termites
Guides
Amitermes
Amitermes is a genus of higher termites in the family Termitidae, subfamily Amitermitinae, containing approximately 100 species. It is the second largest genus in its subfamily after Microcerotermes. Species occupy diverse habitats ranging from deserts to rainforests across multiple continents. The genus is characterized by distinctive soldier morphology including bulbous heads and sickle-shaped mandibles. The Australian Amitermes group represents a major radiation that diversified rapidly during late Cenozoic climate change.
Gnathamitermes
Long-jawed Desert Termites
Gnathamitermes is a genus of subterranean termites in the family Termitidae, comprising approximately six described species distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. The genus is commonly known as the long-jawed desert termites, reflecting the elongated mandibles characteristic of at least some species. Research has focused particularly on G. perplexus and G. tubiformans, which exhibit distinct foraging and nest-building behaviors. These termites play significant ecological roles in desert ecosystems through soil modification and decomposition processes.