A call to termitologists: it is time to abandon the use of “lower” and “higher” termites

T. F. Carrijo; M. S. Engel; T. Chouvenc; G. H. Gile; A. Mikaelyan; F. Dedeine; J. L. Ware; I. Haifig; A. Arab; J. P. Constantini; J. P. Souza; S. B. Lee; A. Buček; Y. Roisin; E. M. Cancello; C. M.D. Santos

doi:10.1007/s00040-023-00929-0

A call to termitologists: it is time to abandon the use of “lower” and “higher” termites

T. F. Carrijo, M. S. Engel, T. Chouvenc, G. H. Gile, A. Mikaelyan, F. Dedeine, J. L. Ware, I. Haifig, A. Arab, J. P. Constantini, J. P. Souza, S. B. Lee, A. Buček, Y. Roisin, E. M. Cancello, C. M.D. Santos

Life Sciences, School of (SOLS)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

This commentary paper addresses the outdated and misleading terminology used to categorize termites into “higher” and “lower”. These terms perpetuate a linear progression view of evolution, which is both inaccurate and detrimental to our understanding of the diversity of life. We trace the historical origins of these terms and highlight their flawed interpretation of evolutionary relationships. We advocate for the adoption of Termitidae (or termitid), rather than “higher termites”. As for the paraphyletic group of “lower termites”, we recommend refraining from grouping them together, unless specifically referring to their symbionts. In such cases, we propose “protist-dependent termites” or “non-Termitidae termites”.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	295-299
Number of pages	5
Journal	Insectes Sociaux
Volume	70
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-023-00929-0
State	Published - Sep 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Insect Science

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Carrijo, T. F., Engel, M. S., Chouvenc, T., Gile, G. H., Mikaelyan, A., Dedeine, F., Ware, J. L., Haifig, I., Arab, A., Constantini, J. P., Souza, J. P., Lee, S. B., Buček, A., Roisin, Y., Cancello, E. M., & Santos, C. M. D. (2023). A call to termitologists: it is time to abandon the use of “lower” and “higher” termites. Insectes Sociaux, 70(3), 295-299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-023-00929-0

Carrijo, TF, Engel, MS, Chouvenc, T, Gile, GH, Mikaelyan, A, Dedeine, F, Ware, JL, Haifig, I, Arab, A, Constantini, JP, Souza, JP, Lee, SB, Buček, A, Roisin, Y, Cancello, EM & Santos, CMD 2023, 'A call to termitologists: it is time to abandon the use of “lower” and “higher” termites', Insectes Sociaux, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 295-299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-023-00929-0

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abstract = "This commentary paper addresses the outdated and misleading terminology used to categorize termites into “higher” and “lower”. These terms perpetuate a linear progression view of evolution, which is both inaccurate and detrimental to our understanding of the diversity of life. We trace the historical origins of these terms and highlight their flawed interpretation of evolutionary relationships. We advocate for the adoption of Termitidae (or termitid), rather than “higher termites”. As for the paraphyletic group of “lower termites”, we recommend refraining from grouping them together, unless specifically referring to their symbionts. In such cases, we propose “protist-dependent termites” or “non-Termitidae termites”.",

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doi = "10.1007/s00040-023-00929-0",

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AU - Engel, M. S.

AU - Chouvenc, T.

AU - Gile, G. H.

AU - Mikaelyan, A.

AU - Dedeine, F.

AU - Ware, J. L.

AU - Haifig, I.

AU - Arab, A.

AU - Constantini, J. P.

AU - Souza, J. P.

AU - Lee, S. B.

AU - Buček, A.

AU - Roisin, Y.

AU - Cancello, E. M.

AU - Santos, C. M.D.

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A call to termitologists: it is time to abandon the use of “lower” and “higher” termites

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