Rain forest genus probably found in the western part of the Guinea-Congolese block, very closely related to Heimitermes. A common inhabitant of the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, Cameroon, where it has been found in soil pits and in the mounds of Cubitermes species. Its galleries and chambers are lined with 'shagreend' faecal material. Group IV feeder.
Most strikingly, Coxotermes has the most complex enteric valve of any termite species (Fig xx). Its array of spoons and spines of different thicknesses are of uncertain function, but, like in many other soil feeding species, may have a sieving function, separating fine and coarse particles as they pass through the gut.
Classification: