Integrative taxonomy unravels the true identity of Linnaeus’ <em>Termes fatalis</em> (Isoptera: Termitidae), the source of termites’ name

The identity of Termes fatalis Linnaeus, the species that gave termites their name, is still controversial since recent molecular and chemical studies showed that at least two different taxa matched its description. This paper aims to resolve this uncertainty and provide an unambiguous characterization of the type species of the genus Termes. We collected colonies matching the description of T. fatalis in French Guiana, compared the morphology of the different castes with type specimens of the Termes species reported from the northern Neotropics, sequenced their mitochondrial genomes, and analyzed the chemical composition of cuticular hydrocarbons in workers and defensive secretions in soldiers. Our phylogeny revealed that the current definition of T. fatalis encompasses three distinct taxa, distinguished by morphological details, the chemistry of cuticular hydrocarbons and defensive compounds. One species morphologically matches T. fatalis, while another one matches T. panamaensis Snyd..., , # Integrative taxonomy unravels the true identity of Linnaeus’ *Termes fatalis* (Isoptera: Termitidae), the source of termites’ name Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.qbzkh18wx](10.5061/dryad.qbzkh18wx) ## Description of the data and file structure **Sample collection** Colonies of *Termes aff. fatalis* were collected in French Guiana and Trinidad. Specimens were preserved in 100% ethanol for genetic analyses, in 80% ethanol for morphological studies, and extracted in *n*-hexane for chemical analyses. Additional reference material from the University of Florida collection was used for genetic analyses of *T. hispaniolae* and *T. panamaensis*. Type material from the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was examined for morphological comparisons with *T. fatalis*, *T. medioculatus*, and *T. panamaensis*. **DNA sequencing** DNA was extracted from the head of one soldier per colony collected in French Guiana and Trinidad (n = 236). The ...,