A taxonomically heterogeneous group of species linked only by the shape of the end of the soldier mandibles. Biologically they share this heterogeneity, with species apparently true soil feeders and species feeding in soil plastered into dead logs by Macrotermitinae (e.g. U. trispinosus). However, all are classified as Group IV soil feeders. Many are found in the mounds and nests of other species.
Recorded from within Macrotermes and Cubitermes mounds in grasslands in Ghana and Gambia (two nest series only). Sands (1998) conjectures that the strangely shaped soldier mandibles (see Fig xx) may be used as 'caltrops' to obstruct ant predators attacking the colony along the tunnels leading to the mound. Group IV feeder.
A forest genus building distinctive 'pillar-box' type mounds, roughly round in cross-section. These vary from c. 0.5 - 1 m in height, the tallest having shallow one or two constrictions along their length. The outside of the mound has an embossed lozenge pattern indicating the position of chambers beneath. Internally the structure is similar to the closely-related Cubitermes. The mounds are usually free-standing, but many are built against the sides of trees. True (Group IV) soil feeders.
Very rare genus found only in Zimbabwe and Cameroon. It has been found in soil pits, but is apparently a Group II wood-feeder. Although it has an apparently primitive gut, it is probably fairly close to Microcerotermes.
Widespread genus in sub-Saharan forest and moist savannah woodland. Mounds consist of a series of lobes, and can be free-sanding, although forest mounds are often build against he sides of trees and have elaborate, sometimes extensive, chevron-like structures above the mound to assist in water run-off.
Procubitermes is also found in the nests of other mound-building species. Group IV feeder.
Found in northern Kalahari woodlands and forest-savannah on sandy soil, disappearing when the soil has a greater proportion of clay. Forms small carton nests under logs in sandy soil.
Appears to be a rotting wood feeder, although the mandibles and enteric valves strongly suggest a group IV soil feeder.
Found throughout the savannah woodland and forests of Africa. Appears to be an obligate mound inhabiting genus, and may feed on the matrix of soil mounds, either still occupied or abandoned.
Its large worker crop and extremely extended apical teeth suggest a genus that has a large throughput of material. Very closely related to Euchilotermes and Furculitermes.
Recorded from dry woodland and forest/savannah in both Namibia and Ghana. Although originally recorded from a decaying log buried in sand, the mandibles and enteric valve structure of the workers suggest this genus is a Group IV soil feeder. In Ghana all specimens were recorded from within other termites' (Cubitermes, Trinervitermes) nests, scattered in clear grassy areas on grey soils, surrounded by open Guinean savannah. (Sands, 1998).
The genus's distribution may be a remnant of an earlier wider distribution during a drier palaeoecological period.
Predominantly a rain forest species, but is also found in moist savannah woodland. In parts of its range it builds free-standing mounds consisting of a number of teardrop-shaped lobes standing on a short cylindrical base, or more simple non-lobed mounds up to 70 cm high (Sands 1998). In other parts of ts range, however, it appears to obligately occupy mounds of other species, especially Procubitermes, whose mound chambers match closely those of Noditermes. Group IV soil feeder.
Group IV soil feeder, probably a specialised Cubitermes species. Very little material is available. No biological data are available.
