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Glite Dictionary
Mastotermes

Mastotermes

1 9.9
A very old type of termite with only one living species left
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Mastotermes
  • Mastotermes darwiniensis is the only extant representative of its ancient genus.

Examples

  • Scientists study Mastotermes to understand the primitive characteristics of termites.

  • The extinct species of Mastotermes provide clues about the evolution of termites.

  • The Mastotermes species is fascinating to entomologists.

  • Did you know that Mastotermes is one of the oldest termite genera?

  • Mastotermes darwiniensis is the only extant representative of its ancient genus.

  • Research on Mastotermes helps scientists learn about the evolution of termite species.

  • Entomologists find the study of Mastotermes particularly important for understanding termite behavior.

Compounds

Mastotermes electromexicus
  • Specialized
9.9

A termite species no longer living preserved in amber from southern Mexico

Mastotermes darwiniensis
  • Specialized
9.9

A large Australian termite with old features like a cockroach

Mastotermes electrodominicus
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct termite species found preserved in Dominican amber

Surface Forms

Mastotermes singular
Mastotermes plural

Etymology

The word Mastotermes breaks into masto-, a Greek part meaning 'breast', and -termes, 'termite'. A helpful way to remember it is 'masto-termite', and that fits because Mastotermes is an old group of termites that is mostly extinct and has only one living species.