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Mastotermes darwiniensis

Insects

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Mastotermes darwiniensis, known as the giant northern termite or Darwin termite, is a termite species found only in northern Australia and is considered the most primitive extant termite species. Contrary to common belief it does not build mounds, instead nesting in inconspicuous subterranean tunnels and galleries that colonies use to travel to new food sites, readily occupying and infesting decomposing wood, and colonies may eventually split to form isolated satellite colonies.

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