Aspects of the Distribution and Ecology of Australian Termites

Abstract

According to the most recent estimate of the world's living termites (Emerson, 1955) approximately 2100 species, in 5 families and about 170 genera, are known. Of these about 150 species in 25 genera are Australian. A further 20 or more Australian species are known but not described, and a few new genera have yet to be characterized, including 3 of the 25 in Emerson`s figure. This is a comparatively rich fauna but is far exceeded by those of the Ethiopian region (approx. 700 species, 79 genera), Neotropical region (approx. 500 species, 56 genera) and Indo-Malayan region (approx. 430 species, 46 genera).